MDEG

Mudgee District Environment Group

The Mudgee District Environment Group (MDEG) is based in the Mid-Western Region local government area of NSW, within the central tablelands on the Great Dividing Range. We acknowledge that we are on land that always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We recognise the Wiradjuri people as the Traditional Custodians, and take this opportunity to pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

MDEG began meeting in 1989 to highlight global issues like climate change, deforestation and recycling under the theme ‘think globally, act locally’. Our activities have included membership of Council committees, taking part in biodiversity surveys, bush regeneration, tree planting, public meetings, information stalls and supporting national and state environmental campaigns. More recently we’ve focused on the environmental and social impacts of expanding coal mines and the need to protect areas like The Great Dripping Wall from subsidence from adjacent mines. MDEG’s current focus is on promoting renewable energy. Read more about MDEG.

We welcome new members to join in our current activities aiming specifically to make Mudgee more sustainable. Our members perform a wide range of activities so no matter what your experience is there will be some way you can contribute. If you are interested in joining please see our membership page.

Latest News

NSW Koala Strategy Review

NSW Govt is reviewing the Koala Strategy, more information here.

The current focus of strategy is mainly on coastal populations. All Local Government areas have a requirement to develop a Koala Management Plan. Important Koala populations are reported in the Mudgee area and other inland areas of NSW. Many of these are under threat from mining projects and other large developments.

The NSW Koala Strategy recognises that habitat loss and climate change are key causes of Koala population decline. Koala is an umbrella species whose habitat supports many other native species. Protecting Koala habitat has multiple benefits.

Help us by making a submission with our guide here.

Stop Coal Expansion in the Mudgee Region!

Three large coal mines operate North of Mudgee on Wiradjuri land: Yancoal's Moolarben Mine, Glencore's Ulan Mine and Peabody's Wilpinjong Mine. The mines intersect farming land, the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone and awe-inspiring National Parks.

The three mines were the biggest producers of coal in NSW in 2023 with a combined production of 36.7 million tonnes - equivalent to 89 MT CO2e. The overall CO2e could be as great as 1.7 billion tonnes with current approvals and proposed expansions. This is three times Australia’s emissions from all sources.

All three mines are planning to expand!

We need you!

Our Focus

The Mudgee District Environment Group performs a range of activities in the region. These activities are based on its aims an fall under the following special focus areas:

Biodiversity - Ecology, threatened species survival, bush regeneration.
Energy - Renewable energy and energy efficiency in households, business, industry and the community.
Mining - Mining impacts, proposals and policies, best practice, contribution to global warming.
Water - Water use and efficiency in households, business, industry and the community.