State Significant Development
Berrima Rail Upgrade Project
Wingecarribee Shire
Current Status: Determination
Interact with the stages for their names
- SEARs
- Prepare EIS
- Exhibition
- Collate Submissions
- Response to Submissions
- Assessment
- Recommendation
- Determination
Supporting rail infrastructure for the Hume Coal Mine, involving development of a new rail spur and loop connected to the Berrima Branch Line. From Berrima, coal would be transported to Port Kembla for export or to domestic users.
Attachments & Resources
Request for SEARs (2)
SEARs (1)
Development Application (2)
EIS (32)
Submissions (14)
IPC Hearings (6)
Response to Submissions (23)
Additional Information (28)
Assessment (1)
Recommendation (6)
Determination (4)
Approved Documents
There are no post approval documents available
Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.
Complaints
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Inspections
There are no inspections for this project.
Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.
Submissions
nicholas lidstone
Object
nicholas lidstone
Message
strada
As someone who lives just approx 3 kms from Hume Coal's proposed train loading facilities, I must strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons:
1. Potential negative health effects from coal dust and diesel fumes.
2. This facility will operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week with 8 train movements a day involved. According to Hume Coal's EIS (Vol. 3A Appendix D ES 3.1) there are 75 dwellings surrounding the project area, so the noise from the loading of the coal onto these trains cannot be over estimated.
3. Trains will use 17 level crossings.
4. Possibly the two most important of these 17 level crossings are at Sheepwash Road, between Bowral and Robertson, and the crossing of the Illawarra Highway itself at Robertson.
5. At full production up to 4 trains will be loaded each day to make the journey to Port Kembla and then return which means therefore 8 trains a day using the Sheepwash Road and Robertson crossings!
6. The Illawarra Highway and Sheepwash Road are the two main roads needed to get essential services into, and out of Robertson and it's environs.
7. The impact on essential services, ie ambulances, fire brigades, and the police, having to wait for a kilometre long coal train before being able to use these crossings is extreme and totally unacceptable.
8. The only hospital in the district is at Bowral. The nearest hospitals to Bowral are at Goulburn (79 kms from Bowral) and at Camden (66kms from Bowral). These distances being too great for ambulances to cover in an emergency.
9. Therefore the crossings at Robertson and Sheepwash Road must not be compromised by Hume Coal using this rail line to get their product from Berrima to Port Kembla.
I respectfully request the Government to reject this project.
Nicholas Lidstone
3471 Old Hume Highway
BERRIMA NSW 2577
Alexandra Springett
Object
Alexandra Springett
Message
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Lynne Morrison
Object
Lynne Morrison
Message
We purchased our property in 1972 and have lived here for over 40 years. It was a lifestyle choice and a wonderful place to being up our children. It is centrally located to the three main towns in this area and offers easy access to both the Hume Highway and the coastal regions of NSW.
We are deeply distressed to be listed as one of the properties listed to be acquired due to the impact of noise from the Berrima Rail Project.
Our areas of concern are as follows:
Water
The Hume Coal Mining proposal is located within the Sydney Water Catchment, which services the Sydney metropolitan basin and any development proposal within the catchment must be scrutinised in detail as it has the potential to impact this critical water resource.
The surrounding catchment area could be impacted from the runoff water that will be used to wash coal and pumped back underground into the mine voids.
Local bores could be severely affected by water drawdown and the real concern is Hume Coal offering to fund "make good" measures to landholders who will be impacted.
We critically question why the State Government would even consider approving a large scale mining development that has the potential to impact the water catchment for both Sydney and the local rural community when globally fresh water is considered a natural resource that needs to be protected for future generations.
Damage to the existing Southern Highlands Economy
Wingecarribee Shire Council, together with local industry groups and the community have a long term plan for the region's economy based on existing successful tourism and agricultural
pursuits. Why allow a heavy industry such as coal mining to severely impact the beautiful natural environment of the Southern Highlands, an area that visitors frequent to get away from the noise and pollution of the big cities and heavy industrial areas.
Noise
Our property is listed to be acquired due to the impact from noise once the mine is operational but we will be even more severely impacted during the construction phase something that could take up to two years. This could also include noise from explosives.
Once operational we will have noise from the conveyor belt delivering coal to the stockpile, the machinery operating the stockpile and noise from the rail head while coal is loaded onto the rail trucks. This could be over a 24 hour period and will increase when a ship is in port. We are very concerned that the noise levels will severely impact our health, wellbeing and the quality of our environment (both to ourselves and our livestock).
Dust
No one can guarantee the severity of dust that will carry over form the stockpile or when coal is being loaded onto the rail network particularly during severe wind storms. As weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable no one can clearly demonstrate the impact of the dust on the health and wellbeing of those families living in close proximity to the stockpile. Families that have chosen and are used to living in a non-toxic environment
Visual Amenity
Even though Hume Coal has started a tree planting program the visual amenity will be impacted by the conveyor belt that will be used to haul coal from the underground seams to the stockpile, the coal stockpile itself and the rail network infrastructure. There will be days when the visual impact will be impacted by dust when fierce storms prevail.
Bushfire
This could be a real concern and does not seem to be addressed well in the EIS. The last major bushfire that impacted the village of Medway and surrounding properties was in 1979 and the army were bought in to protect the Village and the surrounding properties.
Boral did nothing in their time to reduce the fuel in and around the Medway Colliery and there is a major risk should a bush fire happen in this area. What would the potential affects be if a bush fire were to get into the coal stockpiles on the surrounding properties? What controls should be put in place to minimise any potential risk should a fire get into the coal stockpiles.
Consultation
Whilst Hume Coal undertook extensive consultation in preparation for the EIS the meetings were about informing the local community not about answering questions and providing follow up feedback. Indeed the people living in and around Medway Rd were ignored and not included in the consultation phase. When asked why the people of Medway were not included we were told that Hume Coal would deal with us individually once the EIS was close to being released.
Lifestyle
If this development is approved we will be severely impacted by noise and dust once the mine is operational and during the construction phase.
We have had discussions with a number of local real estate agents and we have been advised that our property values are currently negatively impacted even more so due to the fact that our property is listed for acquisition in the EIS. The negative impact on property values means that it will limit our capacity to provide for a sustainable retirement.
We sincerely believe that this project should not go ahead and ask that the Department of Planning and Environment after due consideration of the potential risks to the natural environment including water, the health and wellbeing of the community and the negative impact on the local economy not approve this project.
Yours sincerely
Greg & Lynne Morrison
Martin Lamb
Object
Martin Lamb
Message
- the strong visual impact of the rail infrastructure at the Hume Hwy and Medway road intersections;
- the noise and dust pollution from the eight additional coal train journeys each day to Port Kembla;
- the increased danger to the local community and tourists at the road level crossings
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
- the high visual impact of the rail infrastructure at Hume Hwy and Medway Rd;
- the noise and dust pollution from the eight additional coal train journeys to Port Kembla;
- safety concerns for locals and tourists at the road level crossings for these additional journeys required.
Robert Jones
Object
Robert Jones
Message
Robert Hume Masterman
Support
Robert Hume Masterman
Message
On a recent trip around the Southern Highlands I was impressed by the way recent industrial infrastructure had been established in New Berrima while the charm of Berrima was restored with the development in the region after stagnation and neglect.
I am aware that fully enclosed coal wagons are available for transport on the proposed railway extension so this development will contribute appropriately.
Marco Benischek
Support
Marco Benischek
Message
Further, Hume Coal will be using existing rail infrastructure, which at present is heavily underutilised, thereby increasing the usage rate of public rail assets, and limiting its impact on the local road network and road users.
I therefore urge the Government to approve this project.
IN HYUK YEOU
Support
IN HYUK YEOU
Message
Robert Turnbull
Object
Robert Turnbull
Message
Pollution from Coal trucks, covered or otherwise will send clouds of crystalline cyclica into the air, the 2.5 micro settling into the lungs of locals, with the result of lower respiratory conditions which need treatment and Hospitalization.
Noise from the train in a tight curved loop will exceed the decibels level required from the Government.
The number of train journeys, 24 hours a day will have a horrendous impact on the local community, with hold ups at level crossings for ambulances, police and communities.
Colleen Winberg
Object
Colleen Winberg
Message
One of the reasons for my objection is that coal dust would be distributed throughout the unique villages of the Southern Highlands by prevailing winds and passing coal trains (the proposal would result in four long coal trains every day from Medway to Port Kembla through Moss Vale and Robertson - and back).risk to public safety and to rail staff. The rail line runs behind the Robertson Primary School. The children play and spend time on the oval area that runs beside the rail line. Coal dust and noise pose an unacceptable health risk to school children and staff
Another reason is that the rail crossings on Douglas Road and Collins Road in the Moss Vale Enterprise Corridor will also be compromised by the increased traffic. Pedestrian traffic, including school children, are seriously at risk in Moss Vale and Robertson. Robertson in particular has a number pedestrian crossings and road crossing that are inadequate and poorly fenced.
Please DO NOT approve this dangerous proposal.
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
* It will enable the transport of coal by rail instead of road.
* It improves local rail access.
* It will minimise impact on the local road system.
* It improves the viability of the Hume Coal Project.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
The rail proposal severely under estimates the deleterious impact it will have across the Southern Highlands. The local vehicular traffic interruptions will be significantly greater, particularly at level crossings like Sheepwash Road & Illawarra Highway Robertson which are already traffic danger areas.
there are over 19 level crossings where waiting times for trains to pass will increase by 50% on each occasion & the overall number of trains expected on the line will also increase. the likely disruption to local life has essentially been ignored. People will find it difficult to go about ordinary life such as taking children to & from school & travelling to & from work.
there has been insufficient consideration of integration with the existing rail operations particularly at the Unanderra end of the line
as it is presented this is a poorly thought through project needing significant revision that will incur significant additional to be effective or acceptable
I ask the government to reject this proposal
Edna Carmichael
Object
Edna Carmichael
Message
The recent results of a water flow study by the Shire Council identifies several,areas in Moss Vale and towards the South that are often inundated and definitely going to be worse off with changes in weather pattern.
Continued development of residential areas within this section is going to generate more water flow and cause greater water flow problems.
The report identified poor soil and shallow channels as a major factor in this water retention.
Much of this excess water falls into the ARCT tabledrains and this alone must undermine the stability of the line.
Council and the ARCT have failed to successfully address this water flow problem and adding a new dimension such as an increase in traffic on this line can only add to the problem as maintaining the clear passage of flood waters within these drains has not been a priority so far.
The water flow study identifies caulvets and tabledrains that need replacing with much larger structures to get water away quicker.
All of this suggests that this line is not maintained well as it is now.
Increased traffic with much longer trains on this line will also impact on the following:
Motor traffic and build up which is almost at crisis point now.
Air quality. Our home is a dust bowl as it is with the small traffic on this line. We have installed a large medical grade ventilation system to deal with the dust as it is.
Greater noise polution
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Anne Clarke
Object
Anne Clarke
Message
I object to this proposal and believe it should be rejected for the following reasons:
- The scope of the IES is inadequate as the Hume Coal Project significantly impacts the Berrima branch line and the Unanderra to Port Kembla branch line. Now the Tahmoor mine will operate into the future and the extra traffic from Hume will double the amount of coal train traffic on the Unanderra line.
- Whilst a grade separation is proposed for the Old Hume Highway, Suttor Road in Moss Vale, Sheepwash Road and Illawarra Highway, crossings are completely ignored. These last two crossings experience high levels of traffic in morning, afternoons and weekends. Many of the road users are tourists unfamiliar with the local area and rail level crossings. The Suttor Road crossing is used by both Moss Vale local residents and industrial area traffic. With the increase in heavy rail traffic these crossings pose an unacceptable risk to public safety and to rail staff.
- Pedestrian traffic including school children are seriously at risk in Moss Vale and Robertson. Robertson in particular has a number of pedestrian crossings and road crossings that are inadequate and poorly fenced.
- The rail line runs approximately 30 metres behind the 160 student Robertson Primary School. The children play and spend time on the oval area that runs beside the rail line. Coal dust and noise pose an unacceptable health risk to school children and school staff "There may be no safe threshold for fine particulate matter and the effects are linearly related to concentration." (WHO and Australian National Pollution Inventory).
I urge the government to reject this project as it proposes an unreasonable risk to public health and safety.
Tina Watson
Object
Tina Watson
Message
I object to this project because of the communities which will be negatively impacted by this, especially schools by the rail line.
I believe this project and any other related to it (like the Hume Coal Project) will have detrimental effects on the whole Southern Highlands region which already has established itself as an area with clean water, air and soils and has developed businesses and industries around these great qualities. It is also a water catchment area, this cannot be threatened by projects such as this! (Derailments, vehicle accidents, coal dust and other pollutants)
I object to all Hume Coal, and coal/ coal seam gas projects in general. I do not believe these projects are healthy in any way for our local communities - socially, politically, economically, environmentally, psychologically, emotionally. These projects take too much out of communities and do not give back enough.
Tony Sheffield
Object
Tony Sheffield
Message
Pauline Doyle
Support
Pauline Doyle
Message
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
My young family and I moved to the Southern Highlands just over two years ago from Sydney, attracted by the charming landscape, peaceful rural lifestyle and, of course, the 'fresh country air'. I now work in a local business which largely depends on tourists visiting from Sydney, who report they are looking for exactly the same thing, even just for a day trip or weekend, as a refreshing break from the city. Since we have moved here we have seen an increase in population, as well as huge development in tourist destinations including natural, retail, culinary and cultural - making this an even more rich community in terms of economy, diversity and culture.
The Berrima Rail Project and Hume Coal Project will absolutely jeopardise the reputation of the Southern Highlands as a destination for tourists and people moving to the area, looking for a clean, country environment - something absolutely juxtaposed to having a coal mine in the area. The whole of the Southern Highlands will be tarred by the same brush by ordinary people from outside the area, who realistically are not going to take the time and effort to familiarise themselves with the promises of Hume Coal. Tourism is dependant on perception, and potential visitors will decide that the Southern Highlands is not the destination of 'fresh country air' that they are looking for.
I hope that our government will be long sighted and think about the decades and centuries of growth for our home, and will not sacrifice the reputation of the Southern Highlands for a project involving coal, a fuel which will soon be obsolete.