BY JESSICA ROUSE
The controversial Dartbrook coal mine has been granted a six-year extension from the NSW Government until 5 December 2033.
It has been anything but smooth for the coal mine that collapsed into insolvency in mid-2025 after defaulting on a $202 million loan. FTI Consulting were appointed as receivers and managers for the mine in July last year.
In the Department’s reasons for approving the extension were it being an efficient use of existing infrastructure and facilities, any issues raised had been considered and addressed and ultimately the project is in the public interest.
But there is still a long list of local businesses who are out of pocket thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars after the coal mine ceased operating.
There are also plenty of unconfirmed reports that the Dartbrook coal mine could be sold at any moment.
Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Jeff Drayton said the extension to 2033 certainly makes Dartbrook a more saleable proposition.
“If it gives buyers the confidence to step in, restart production and get locals back into jobs, that’s a positive outcome for the community.
“My understanding is a sale could be close. That’s encouraging, but we’ve been clear about our position.
“Muswellbrook Shire Council withdrew our support for Dartbrook because small and local businesses were owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Any deal that moves forward needs to recognise that reality,” he said.
“If this extension secures a sale, a restart of operations and recovers a significant portion of what’s owed to Muswellbrook and Hunter creditors, those are outcomes Council will welcome.”
