Mod 5 - Mining Extension

I strongly support the proposed Modification 5 to the Peabody Energy Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
The mine provides significant benefits to the mid-western communities including Mudgee, Gulgong, and surrounds. It provides long term direct and indirect employment opportunities for local people. These opportunities include all age ranges, from young apprentices through to mature adults.
The mine also provides low cost energy to NSW electricity consumers - domestic and industrial.
The local businesses have experienced opportunities to supply the mining industry and in doing so have increased their turnover, increased their staffing levels, and improved their overall profitability.
The additional local employment has resulted in increased local population. This in turn has increased the level of money spent in and around the community with flow on effects that have seen improvements to local services, local facilites and local amenities.
I strongly support the proposed Modification 5 of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine and urge the NSW Government to approve this modification.

Coal mining contributes positively to the region by providing direct & indirect employement opportunities. It also contributes finanically to both local council & state government.
There has been & continues to be positive impacts on retail/hotels/cafes/accommodation/construction/trade and other supporting industries/contractors as a result of mining development in the region
I whole heartely support the proposed Modification 5 of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine?

Our organisation strongly supports the expansion as our business and our employees rely on this type of project to enhance our earning capability overall.
This expansion is badly needed in NSW to support business and lower unemployment numbers.
The flow on effect from this type of expansion contributes to increased business across the board including retail - housing - investment - consumer confidence etc.
Our organisation strongly believes that all aspects of environmental, community impacts are assessed-considered and audited throughout the life of such projects, with significant penalties enforced to ensure mining companies remain compliant.
This State, Our people & our business and all businesses needs this project opportunity to proceed.

We would like to lodge our support for Wilpinjong Coal Mine's Modification 5 application for reasons including, but not limited to:
1. It seems that thorough impact assessment studies have been carried out satisfactorily.
2. Any modifications that increases material output should also mean increased opportunity for employment, training and staff retention. The mining industry could certainly use that at the moment.
3. In the same vein as point 2., it could also increase the opportunity for subcontractors that sell or hire machinery and mine supplies to have extra scope for sales or hire.
4. The modifications are to be solely isolated to the mine site; there is no disruption to any external party at any stage of the modification.
5. Increased profits to the company can only increase the strength and resilience of the company in testing times, which can only be good for the general community.
6. The application to utilize extra areas for mining fits within the boundary of the mining lease. It stands to reason that the original body that approved the lease would have expected the area to be mined at some point and should have weighed the impact at that time.

Wilpinjong Coal Mine has provided a major boost to the local economy which has enabled growth for small business and expansion in infrastructure for the Mudgee region.
I support any growth that the owner (Peabody) proposes, as their longevity is crucial to the Mudgee region.

I work at the Wilpinjong mine and am a part of the local comunity since arriving here to work in the mine..

I rely on the mine for work, spend my money locally and my family also have become part of the local community. My children attend school and day care in the district, and have joined sporting organisations.

Without the mine we would have to leave the district, if not for the mine we would not have come to the district.

We live in close proximity to the mine (in Wollar) and have never been disturbed by it yet.

I support this submission as I live and work in the Mudgee region, in the past seven years I have seen a increase in local business, the cafe's enjoy regular trade during the week days due to shift arrangments, Aldi has opened and enjoys regular trade, it can be hard to get a motel room at times due to the extra business from mine related travellers, there is a number of mine related business's that rely on Wilpinjong, the equipment hire company's and fuel and tyres for the workers vehicles.
I support this submission so Wilpinjong can continue to support our local community and economy.

I would like to acknowledge the support for the proposed modification 5 to Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
The continuation of Coal mining in NSW (Australia) is a priority of the highest level as this activity has helped to lift the Australian economy to one of the leading countries in sustainability.
The Wilpinjong mine has contributed to the Mudgee region very positively as I have seen the area grow more than anyone would have ever imagined with the injection of funds and work for local businesses and residents which has far out done the local wine and tourism industry. The local small businesses have grown positively and you can see the construction area is booming in the Mudgee region.
I see the rehabilitation they do and you would not even know they had been in the area.Of course there is environmental challenges of which the mining company approaches as a high priority and the money they make is used to correct and fix any of these challenges.
Some people reject the coal mines which is their right to do but, do they stop and look at what do they engage in life which is NOT supported by the mining of coal or other industries, we would not have all the luxuries and level of life if it wasnt for the coal industry.I am employed by the coal industry and most of my family is also, we see first hand the effort Wilpinjong put into the community, governments,residents and environment in this region and we should support this input of wealth as it will not last for ever, without the coal modifications 5 the employment at the mine and supporting industries will be effected and the Fed Governement will have to than support the fallen.
You can see the improvement in the way mines operate and manage the environment as compared to the history of mining in other areas of NSW, they have got their act together and try extremely hard to work the mine to support the local region and environment.
I support their proposal.

I would like to express my support for the proposed mod5 for Wilpinjong mine.
My husband works in the mining industry and we as a family see the impact on the region.We have lived here for 11 years and the area was suffering when we came here and now it is thriving in all areas.I see when there is an issue related to the mine impact on roads or the environment that the mine is first to put there hand up and contribute not like the local council.I would rather the mine run the region than the local council as the mining industry take action not have a cup of tea and just pretend to talk about any issues.
I support the mine 100%

Having grown up in Mudgee/Gulgong region and also working at the original mines (Ulan Open Cut/Underground), I have seen the positive impacts that these two small towns have gained from the local mines inputs. I have also witnessed first hand the good that has come from the growth of the mining industry in the region that has impacted on local businesses and services, bringing new companies to town to setup which in turn has created a massive increase in employment. The proposed expansion (MOD5) at Wilpinjong Coal Mine could only add to the benefits of these communities considering what Wilpinjong/Peabody Energy has already contributed to them through direct employment, sub contract works and employment and also sponsorship of various sporting and community activities. I would like to see this s75W modification at Wilpinjong go ahead for the good of the communities and the employees at the mine itself.

Wilpinjong supplies coal to the power stations that turn on my lights, run my computer and power my fridge - and, undoubtedly, also powers the computers that detractors will use to object to extensions. Without power NSW, Australia, the world will return to the good old days of the 1700's and while that's a great fantasy idea for a TV show, it's not really the way of the future.
The coal mines around Mudgee also bring a lot of money to the area and without it vibrant, moving Mudgee will turn into the farming back water it was 40 years ago.

I support the submission becouse i work in the industrie and it provides the local community with good employment chances.

Coal mining has helped the local community grow and brought new people to community.

I strongly SUPPORT the Modification 5 to Wilpinjong Coal. I have enjoyed my employment at Wilpinjong for the past 2.5 years.

My family relocated to Mudgee 5 years ago to Work at Wilpinjong. During the past 5 years I have seen a positive impact on the region which has been generated from economic benefits derived from the coal mining industry. Prior to that we lived and worked in the Bowen basin in Queensland and Hunter Valley here in NSW, we also witnessed the same benefits in those regions.

I have seen numerous positive impacts that the mining developments have brought to our region, but the economic benefit to our region is not solely based with our business houses, but also includes, clubs, volunteer organisations. In addition to that, there are things the whole community can benefit from
* Medical support
* Increase of house prices
* Community support
I think coal mining contributes to our region, state and country; I have been luckily enough to witness this over several generations of families. I have worked in Mining for the past 10 years, my husband has worked in mining for the past 24 years, my brother has worked in mining the past 20 years, and my brother in law has worked in mining the past 30 years. Father and Father inlaw also worked in mining.

Overall, I would like it noted that I strongly support the proposed Modification 5 of Wilpinjong Coal Mine.

Thank you

I am currently employed at Wilpinjong working for Peabody, I have seen how they look after the local community not just the near by town of Wollar but Mudgee and Gulgong. I Live in Mudgee and before The mine was Up and running I also worked in Mudgee, It was hard to get a Job for me and many others in the town and when the mines opened up me and many others found employment and could stay local and not move away for employmet. I Have seen the town grow and prosper from the mines in a good way!

The Wilpinjong Coal Mine is a major employer in the Mudgee community and this in turn has positive effects on the community.
The Wilpinjong Coal Mine heavily supports local businesses and contractors.
The Wilpinjong Coal Mine donates to local charities and fund raising events.
I support the Wilpinjong Coal Mine and their developments.

Dear Sir,

RE: Modification to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Project (05_0021 MOD 5)
OBJECTION
This modification should not go ahead as there is no consideration of cumulative environmental and social impacts with adjacent Moolarben and Ulan mines. There is already too much mining in the area.

It makes a mockery of listing an area as 10.6ha federally listed as critically endangered ecological community (CEEC) when yet again more (10.6ha) is allowed to be destroyed for short term gain.

The modification also makes a mockery of any conditions placed, as this proposal will destroy a 20 ha area identified for regeneration in original conditions. So called offsets become a joke, simply destroyed in later iterations of mine.

The list of objections continue:
1. The negative socio-economic impacts on Wollar community not adequately considered - ongoing loss of neighbours and social support system, stranded assets (unable to sell properties), ongoing noise, dust, pollution from spontaneous combustion.
2. Previous model predictions for environmental impacts of mine have proven to be inaccurate, so current predictions cannot be believed.
3. Very poor quality coal - large environmental footprint of mine - no justification given for need to access to additional 3 million tonnes.
4. Proposed increased blasting frequency with higher Maximum Instantaneous Charge (MIC)
5. Up to 20 train movements per day - all coal trains should be covered
6. Poor history of mine rehabilitation practices eg Invasive species such as Rhodes Grass have been introduced, Greenhouse gas emissions - Scope 1,2 & 3: 236, 036, 811 t C02-e
7. Biodiversity - An additional 52 ha woodland and grassland including the above mentioned 10.6ha federally listed critically endangered ecological community (CEEC) will be destroyed. In addition the proposed biodiversity offset for CEEC only 4:1 - not adequate ratio. There are 116 native fauna species recorded in area of impact including 9 threatened species (5 birds and 4 bat species)
8. Aboriginal cultural heritage - 17 sites, scar tree and area of cultural association will be impacted.

I support the continued growth of the coal industry in the Mudgee area as mining occurs away from productive agricultural land and does not provide a land use conflict with other industries.

The Mudgee region continues to prosper as a result of mining providing significant employment and business opportunities whilst contributing significantly to the NSW economy through royalties and taxes.

Objection to Wilpinjong modification 5

Residing on the outskirts of Wollar and working in the community I believe the negative socio-economic impacts have been inadequately considered.

To mine a further 3 million tonnes of poor quality coal wilpinjong proposes to an increased blasting frequency with higher maximum instantaneous charge. That noise and dust in addition to the loading and movement of the extra uncovered trains is of great concern.

To date the management and control of spontaneous combustion has been very poor, spewing out carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide into our valley.
.
Previous model predictions for environmental impacts have proven to be inaccurate and must be taken into serious consideration.

I believe the increase of noise,dust and pollution will have an ongoing impact to the loss of neighbours, social support systems and implication of stranded assets with no justification given to mine a further 3 million tonnes of coal.

Alison Schmidt
Inana
Wollar

The Wilpinjong project has had a signigicant positive impact to my family and myself due to career opportunites and lifestyle. It has also benefited the greater mudgee area due to the increase in construction, services and facilites that a growing area can provide for the people that live there. The proposed modification 5 to Wilpinong Coal Mine will give the mine the opprtunity to continue this positive impact on the Mudgee region and extend the employment of the people that work there.

Objection to Modification to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Project (05_0021 MOD 5)

I object to the proposed extension of the above mine for the following reasons:

1. Negative socio-economic impacts on Wollar community are not adequately considered - ongoing loss of neighbours and social support system, stranded assets (unable to sell properties), ongoing noise, dust, pollution from spontaneous combustion.
2. Previous model predictions for environmental impacts of mine have proven to be inaccurate
3. Very poor quality coal - large environmental footprint of mine - no justification given for need to access additional three million tonnes.
4. Proposed increased blasting frequency with higher Maximum Instantaneous Charge (MIC).
5. Up to 20 train movements per day - all coal trains should be covered.
6. Poor history of mine rehabilitation practices (eg Invasive species such as Rhodes Grass have been introduced), proposal will destroy a 20 ha area identified for regeneration in original conditions.
7. Greenhouse gas emissions - Scope 1,2 & 3: 236, 036, 811 t C02-e
8. Biodiversity - An additional 52 ha of woodland and grassland, including 10.6 ha of federally listed critically endangered ecological community (CEEC), will be destroyed.
Proposed biodiversity offset for CEEC only 4:1 - not an adequate ratio. 116 native fauna species recorded in the area of impact, including 9 threatened species (5 birds and 4 bat species).
9. Aboriginal cultural heritage - 17 sites, scar tree and area of cultural association will be affected.
10. Poor consideration of cumulative environmental and social impacts with adjacent Moolarben and Ulan mines.