Anvil Hill is currently the largest area of remnant vegetation in the Central Hunter Valley. It is home to at least:
- 126 native mammal species, including 2 threatened micro bats and the koala.
- 141 bird species, of which 14 are listed as threatened and many more protected under international covenant.
- 174 species of flora, including flora of state and national significance, and at least 8 plants and one plant population listed as threatened with extinction.
- One new species of orchard (as yet unnamed) found only at the Anvil Hill site.
- One endangered ecological community.
The area is also the largest lower stream catchment area of the Wybong Creek which flows into the Goulburn and Hunter Rivers. The irreplaceable biodiversity of Anvil Hill is now threatened with destruction by Centennial Coal's proposed open-cut coal mine. The mine would have a 2000 hectare direct footprint, removing 1200 hectares of remnant woodland, pus adjoining dignifiacnt native grasslands. In addition to these unacceptable local impacts, the mine would result in an enormous amont of greenhouse pollution entering the atmosphere and destabilising the climate - from the landclearing, methane venting, and the eventual combustion of about 10 million extra tonnes of coal per year in Australia and overseas. The mine is a key part of the expansion of the Hunter Valley coal chain, and would be a main source of coal for the proposed third ship loader in the Port of Newcastle. It is being financed with the help of ANZ Bank - proudly the largest financiers of coal in Australia.
