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SSD Modifications

Withdrawn

Myuna Coal Mine (MOD 2) - Road transport

Central Coast

Current Status: Withdrawn

Transport of up to 1.0 Mtpa of ROM coal by road from Myuna Colliery to Cooranbong Entry Site (CES).
Receipt of up to 0.2 Mtpa of Mandalong ROM coal by road from the CES.
Construction and use of a weighbridge.

Attachments & Resources

Notice of Exhibition (1)

Modification Application (1)

Response to Submissions (1)

Submissions

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Showing 1 - 20 of 85 submissions
Joseph Tamas
Comment
MOUNT HUTTON , New South Wales
Message
The modifications need to be made with consideration of a reduction in thermal coal demand due to a change in power technologies.
Gregory Darroch
Object
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
It is unnecessary given the conveyor option and will make travel between Wangi and Toronto more dangerous, as well as damaging the road infrastructure and creating delays. The proposal to wash truck wheels to prevent potential pollutants is grossly inadequate, given that covering loads does not prevent spreading of coal dust. Subjecting road users and local people to increased pollutants and danger, merely to save Origin inconvenience is not acceptable.
Bruce Derkenne
Object
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
MAJOR INCREASED TRAFFIC DANGERS SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED ON OUR LOCAL ROADS NEAR WANGI WANGI.

Centennial Coal have a development proposal in to Planning NSW to blend the Myuna Pit coal with Mandalong Coal to feed the Eraring Power Station. This is needed as the Myuna Coal quality dips below the standard required by the power station.

To do this Centenial have proposed an EXTRA 20 TRUCK MOVEMENTS PER HOUR OUT OF MYUNA PIT ONTO WANGI ROAD FROM THE OLD WANGI POINT ROAD AT A T INTERSECTION WITH ONLY WARNING SIGNS PROPOSED.

ALL THIS IN THE 90kmph ZONE ON WANGI ROAD WITH LIMITED VISIBILITY AFTER SUMMERHILL DRIVE DRIVING NORTH AS THE LOADED TRUCKS ENTER WANGI ROAD. ALSO INCREASED LANE CHANGING AND OVERTAKING THE TRUCKS WHEN APPROACHING THE DONNELLY ROAD AND BUTTABA HILLS ROAD INTERSECTIONS. THEY ARE ALREADY DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS. THIS SECTION OF ROAD, NORTHBOUND, IS THE FIRST SECTION OF PASSING LANES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5.5KM OF SINGLE LANE ROAD SO THERE IS OFTEN A BUILD UP OF TRAFFIC BEHIND SLOWER MOVING VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES CARS TO ACCELERATE UP THE HILL TO PASS THE TRUCKS ETC. THIS IN TURN PUTS GREAT PRESSURE ON THE INTERSECTION OF WANGI RD AND DOLLELLY RD WITH LIMITED VISIBILITY.

This is simply unacceptable to our local community. There is also the potential to divide our community with some supporting jobs at the Myuna Pit and others supporting the road safety issues and some supporting both.

Surely a proposal to blend coal at the Power Station needs to be considered the best option for the safety and job security of the community.
Name Withheld
Object
ARCADIA VALE , New South Wales
Message
I live in Wangi and already deal with a fine silt or dust that covers all my belongings due to all the other mining activity in the area. We do not need any more.
And also it is hard enough turning onto Wangi Rd from my street where it is 80km/h without 5 trucks doing laps every hour.
Please look at other options
Leeann Hendrie
Object
BONNELLS BAY , New South Wales
Message
I believe the impact on the road will be significant with the large amount of trucks travelling on the roads also I believe that it was also be dangerous for motorists if this project goes ahead! Please find an alternative solution!
Name Withheld
Object
DORA CREEK , New South Wales
Message
I wish to lodge an objection to the proposal for the following reasons:-
1. The increased amount of heavy vehicle traffic proposed to be traveling on public roads is likely to present a higher degree of risk to the local residents and passing traffic .
1.1. There is no risk assessment apparent in the EMM Consultants report to indicate any changes to the risk of accidents arising from the increase in heavy vehicles using the public roads.
1.2. Any risk to the public due to increase in coal haulage on public roads ( which could be performed on non public infrastructure) is unacceptable.
1.3. The report dismisses the fact that sight distances at Wilton Rd/ Awaba Colliery, Donnely Road and Buttabah Hills Road are less than recommended.
1.4. The report does not define “heavy vehicles” – defined by Roads and Traffic Act as > 4.5 T GVM. The report does not indicate how many heavy vehicles of multi axle type are travelling on the roadways and compare it with the increased numbers proposed ( 210 movements per day) and
1.5. the traffic count numbers of heavy vehicles may not truly reflect the increase in tonnes hauled on the roadways by large multi axle vehicles..

2. There will be increased damaged to the road surfaces due to the increase in heavily laden vehicles traveling on the roadways – Wangi Road and Wilton road.
2.1. The report does not determine of estimate the existing tonnage of road transport being carried and compare it with the extra 1.2 Mtpa proposed. This will lead to increased damage to the road surfaces and increase cost of road maintenance . The report has not assessed practical constraints of heavily laden vehicles traveling up the gradient from Wangi point Road to Donnely Road when the ambient is high and road surface temperature causes road material to become soft . This can cause major damage to road surfaces.

3. The report prepared for the project assessment was lacking in detail on why other options; being use of existing infrastructure, were dismissed. Specifically:-
Blending coal on-site at Eraring Power Station to improve the quality of Myuna coal before it is used for energy production. This option would also reduce on-site stockpile capacity at Eraring Power Station and does not align with Origin’s preferred coal delivery strategy.
3.1. This raises a number of questions, not answered in the report.
3.1.1. What is Origins preferred coal delivery strategy, does it countenance increase heavy vehicle traffic on public roads?
3.1.2. Will the stockpile be significantly reduced at Earring and is that significant in its operating capability?
3.1.3. Why, albeit with some infrastructure modifications, coal could not be transported via existing conveyors and private haul roads, to and from CES and Myuna Colliery via Eraring.
4. There has been a lack of public consultation regarding this proposal. The proposal has only recently been submitted to the Myuna CCC ( who would be the main conduit for public opinion) and they don’t meet till October , well after public submissions are closed for this project.
Name Withheld
Object
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
I feel that the option put forward of trucks travelling on Wangi Rd and Wilton Rd is dangerous. The road the mine plans to use means trucks will be turning right onto one of the few overtaking sections on Wangi Rd. It is an uphill 90 km per hour section. This will make it more dangerous for motorists turning right from Summerhill Drive, Donnelly Road and Buttaba Hills Rd. Surely it would be better to already utilise the conveyor system running from the Myuna mine to Eraring and either mix the coal there or run an extension of this system to the Mandalong mine. They are also planning to mix coal at the Myuna site which will likely mean more noise for nearby residents as well as a reduction in air quality. Centennial show a noise study in this area but this was taken in March when the prevailing wind is north east. This blows noise from the mine away from nearby houses. Had this been done in the winter months it may be different. With the prevailing westerly winds at this time we certainly hear more noise from the mine. Finally the submission states that Origen prefers not to store coal at their site. Given the local ill feeling towards Origen after their poor behaviour re their ash dam and the closure of Myuna Bay Sports camp surely it would be in their best interests to try and find a solution that works for them and Centennial Coal without causing more problems for the local residents? Increased coal truck traffic on the road is a really bad alternative for the locals in this area.
Name Withheld
Object
ARCADIA VALE , New South Wales
Message
I am a local I have an investment property near the entrance of the colliery I also live in arcadiavale not far from the mine both properties will suffer from dust pollution , noise pollution. We will lose money on the investment property try showing people through with trucks every few minutes.
I have three kids that travel to local schools with large amount of trucks on the residential roads make it a danger. Why can’t they send coal by conveyor and mix it at the power station?
These changes are trying to be made without any community consultation no letter drops nothing.
I’m a shift worker and now with massive increase of traffic is centennial paying for noise repairs to houses?
David Ransom
Comment
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
The project is of concern to residents for two reasons-
1. That the coal trucks will be a hindrance and possible danger to regular traffic.
2. The additional road damage and subsequent maintenance .
I propose that
1 Permission be granted for one year only and reviewed after that time, with particular attention given to traffic safety, road maintenance, pollution, ( coal dust from trucks) noise and anything else that impacts in local residents and the environment.
2 That Centennial Coal be obligated to contribute to road maintenance costs from the outset.
Name Withheld
Object
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
I do not support the proposal.

I am a resident of Wangi Wangi, where the Banpu Centennial Coal Myuna Mine is located. I have multiple objections to the ways in which this proposal could affect me, and other residents of Wangi.

I received the notice of Exhibition of Modification Application for Myuna Colliery yesterday, 10/8/20, just three days before closing date for submissions. Given the time constraint, I will specifically comment on the Traffic Impact Assessment.

The Modification Application offers a quantitive assessment of “the potential impacts of the proposed coal transport on the local road network,” using out-dated vehicle accident data (2014-2018), referring to 10 accidents on the Wangi Road, primarily at intersections, all involving “light vehicles” The report does not countenance the experience of local residents of “near misses” on this stretch of road, which includes the intersection of Donnelly Road, with what the report calls Wangi Road.

I question the data from traffic surveys made by ROAR and CFE, which were made at a-typical times. The survey of road use, Tuesday 19th November to Monday 25th November, 2019, occurred “outside school holiday periods” and, significantly, at a time when we were experiencing bushfires, and many people were staying at home, were not using main roads. Another survey, secondary intersection counts, 10 minute traffic counts, morning peak periods, was made on Monday 1st June, 2020, during the first Covid virus crisis, a time when many people were staying at home, were not using main roads.

My view is that “typical” daily counts of vehicles on this section of Wangi Road would be much higher than 7000 vehicles, and that as residential development continues to the south of Wangi, this count will escalate.

(I have seen “worst case” scenarios when traffic from the Motorway has been closed due to an accident, and vehicles have been diverted to travel along this portion of Wangi Road. On such occasions traffic has been at almost-standstill. For hours. Vehicles trying to exit from Wangi to enter the stream on the main road were only enabled to do so with the assistance of police.)

As a resident of Wangi, my “key” intersection with Wangi Road is Donnelly Road. On p.44 of the traffic report I am told that “no intersection capacity modelling has been undertaken” at this intersection, or four others, because they “will not experience any additional truck turning.”

The survey says that the posted speed limit on this section of the road is 90kph, and that driver speeds are 10 percent higher. This is consistent with my own observations. However, I have witnessed a number of drivers, travelling south, exceed the posted limit by 30kph (that is, 120kph). This makes right-hand turns (north) from Donnelly Road into Wangi Road hazardous. Further, sight distance to the north is less than the minimum requirement.

There’s issues with topography and driver behaviour on the two-lane stretch of road between Wangi Point Road and Donnelly Road - it’s an uphill run. Fully loaded coal trucks will crawl north up the hill* towards Donnelly Road intersection, and drivers in lighter faster vehicles will up-speed to pass them. They will be travelling at 99.9kph or more as they approach “my” intersection, whatever new signs tell them.

In effect the Modified Application assures me that drivers of Banpu Centennial Coal Myuna trucks will conform to all requirements, but it does not address the effects that increased slow heavily laden trucks might have on local and visiting drivers.

I’d predict that there will be more Wangi drivers who, wishing to avoid a Donnelly Road collision, will enter Wangi Road at the Rathmines roundabout. That is, there will be increased traffic on Council roads between Wangi and Rathmines.

The Modification Report suggests that the only road modification required on Wangi Road is signage. Given the current number of drivers who fail to attend to signs, I have no confidence that signage will make our road safer.

If Banpu Centennial Myuna puts more heavy traffic on our road, the company should be required to “give back” to the community by funding a roundabout at the Donnelly Road-Wangi Road intersection. This would be costly. So perhaps blending coal closer to Eraring Power Station is a better proposal.

P.S. I’m also concerned about the diesel particulates these coal trucks will emit, especially when a NW wind takes the dust to Wangi residential areas.
Catherine Heise
Object
ARCADIA VALE , New South Wales
Message
We object to the project for the following reasons.
The road between Myuna Bay and the Wilton Road turnoff is an increasingly busy road with intersections at Summerhill Drive, Donnelly Rd and Buttaba Hills Road already difficult to navigate especially when trying to join the flow of traffic from these local roads. This section of road is both winding and in some sections very steep particularly climbing the hill travelling north from the Myuna Colliery access that forms part of this proposal. Concrete crash barriers have been installed down the centre of the road to separate traffic in both directions as a result of numerous accidents including deaths on this treacherous piece of road. To add to this a constant stream of heavy vehicles travelling in both directions accessing and leaving via a totally inadequate intersection is unbelievable.
These vehicles will join the north bound traffic on a single lane at very low speed and then essentially
block the left hand lane as they slowly climb the hill where the single lane becomes two. This will force all of the traffic into the right hand lane, if they are able to avoid the heavy vehicles having crested the hill and cornering past the Summerhill Rd intersection anyway, chaos is probably the only reasonable description of the future trying to navigate this section of road should this project proceed.

We reside along with our neighbours on the section of Donnelly Road just to the south-east of the intersection with Wangi Road. This part of the road runs parallel to Wangi Road before swinging away to the east. Currently the traffic noise, particularly heavy vehicles climbing the hill is considerable. We cannot imagine what this increased heavy vehicle movement will add to these noise levels. We note the proposal includes noise levels taken at 107 Donnelly Road which is further down Donnelly Road where it swings away to the east and is far less likely to be impacted by the increased heavy vehicle movements described in the proposal. Was this siting of the noise recording instrument done so to obscure the real impact for those residents including ourselves closer to the intersection with Wangi Road?

We believe this proposal to be totally inappropriate and strongly object

Philip and Catherine Heise
129 Donnelly Road, Arcadia Vale
Cherie Heise
Object
BALMORAL , New South Wales
Message
To whom it may concern,
As a local resident, I object to the 'Modification 2 Myuna MOD 2' as this change will greatly increase the traffic risk level on Wilton Rd and Wangi Rd, both used for access to the M1 motorway. Both of these roads are very busy with daily interactions with garbage trucks and local traffic. Adding large coal trucks increases the risk level in both severity of consequence and likelihood of accidents occurring, given the size and frequent of movements. The roads will require more maintenance and the area will be negatively impacted on an environmental level if loads are not sufficiently covered.
I travel this route every week day to take my children to and from school, and this change adds fear for the safety of my family.
Please do not proceed with the proposal.
Regards,
Cherie Heise BOHS
Name Withheld
Object
DORA CREEK , New South Wales
Message
I wish to object to the proposed submission on the following grounds:
a) the proposed increase in coal trucks on this road would increase damage to an already underfunded road.
b) the road between Myuna Bay and Wilton Road turn off, Awaba is an increasingly busy road with the intersections at Summerhill Drive , Donnelly Road and Buttabah Hills Road already difficult to navigate, especially when making a right hand turn and joining the flow of traffic at 90 kilometers per hour.
c) the section of road between Donnelly Road and Summerhill Drive has had road barriers installed over the last decade as a result of accidents causing death, thus putting heaving vehicles on this section of road, which in most parts is single laned heading towards Awaba will increase the risk of accident.
d) The document states peak hour traffic is between 3pm and 4pm. I travel this road twice a day and have not seen in recent years any traffic monitoring systems to determine this is peak hour.
e) Additional coal trucks on our roads will lead to increase pollutants in the air with possible damage to windscreens as a result of loss of load.
f) The proposal included noise level monitoring taken at 107 Donnelly Road however this is not the closest house to the main road so I would assume the noise impact would have further implications for other local residents.
g) No timeline as to how long this is going to occur for and with increased population in the Western Side of Lake Macquarie as a designated growth area will see increased volume of traffic in coming years.

Why can the coal not be taken to Origin Eraring and be combined on site like has happened previously using the already existing conveyor belt system rather than putting the Westlakes community at risk?
Name Withheld
Object
WANGI WANGI , New South Wales
Message
I object to the project in it’s current form. I would like to support local industry however I don’t believe this is the best option for the local environment or the safest options for the local community. The coal company & the electric company currently have a conveyor system in place that does not impact the safety of local residents. I would like to see the company look at improving what they currently have in place before putting additional stress on the poor quality roads that we currently have.
Name Withheld
Comment
BUTTABA , New South Wales
Message
Wilton road doesn’t handle current traffic load in wet weather. Upgrades will need to be made to the first section of road between the waste facility and Wangi Rd.
Improvements to intersection at Awaba Colliery entrance may be required. Cars travelling at 80kph coming up the hill on the the bend have limited visibility to entering traffic from the colliery.
Ally Turnbull
Object
ARCADIA VALE , New South Wales
Message
This project is harmful to the residents who live between the Myuna Colliery and the Awaba Colliery. My objections include, but not limited to the following:
* roads are narrow, and not well maintained by LMCC. Any increase on the existing roads, will result in further deterioration in the road structure - more so, during and after any rain
* there are TWO (2) overtaking lanes between the Awaba Colliery and Morisset. Other than that, there is ONE (1) road in, and ONE (1) road out of the area between Toronto and Morisset. The increase of heavy truck activity on these roads will severely impact on the safety of the integrity of the road structure, and other vehicles that use the road.
* there will be an increase in speed of vehicles to pass the coal trucks. Despite the speed limit being 90km, vehicles will increase the speed, to overtake the trucks.
* there has already been several accidents on this road. Some of the accidents include the flattening of the safety barriers separating the north and southbound lanes. Repairs can take up to TWO (2) months to be actioned.
* the current road integrity will not stand up to the constant and increased movement of coal trucks.
* increased coal dust will impact on the health of residents. It is well documented that coal dust causes respiratory issues; grommets (Singleton residents can attest to this); bone malformations such as scoliosis
* coal dust impacting the wildlife - all food sources will be coated with more coal dust, preventing foraging of clean food. This will also affect the pollinators such as bees. I am a recreational beekeeper. I am well aware of the issues that bees face with flora being contaminated. Coal dust is a contaminant, and carcinogenic.
* the integrity of the coal being extracted is apparently poor quality. Reports suggest that an increase in coal trucks to carry a better quality coal, is for profitability for the coal company. There has been no cost/benefit analysis provided for the viability to increase coal truck traffic for the benefit of the local community.
* there are NO turning bays on Wangi Road to assist with trucks turning.
* increased coal truck traffic equates to more noise via engines; air breaks; accidents
* increased road vibration from the coat truck MAY affect the ash dam at Myuna Bay. This point cannot be excluded. If a truck accident occurs on Wangi Road - residents are severely restricted to travel either northbound or southbound
* how often are the roads to be resealed due to damage from coal trucks. Is the coal company paying for the repairs?
* who stands to benefit from increased coal trucks on Wangi Road? Not the residents.
Name Withheld
Object
Booragul , New South Wales
Message
I do not support this project and believe that the additional road movements is not fair on the local community as this will contribute to more road accidents in the area. Thank you.
Jessica Furlong
Object
Bonnells Bay , New South Wales
Message
They want to increase the amount of trucks on the road with no road upgrades whatsoever. They will have an insane amount of trucks turning from a complete stop onto a 90km/h road with no turning lanes at all. This road is congested enough at the best of times without adding all that additional traffic and doing no road upgrades.

Why can’t they use and underground or overhead conveyor belt system to transport this.


▶️ 31,250 trucks a year could be added to Wangi Road ◀️
▶️ I'm very concerned about Centennial Coal's plans to truck a million tonnes of coal a year between the Myuna Colliery at Wangi and its land at Awaba via Wangi Rd and Wilton Rd.
▶️ In short, Centennial wants to mix its Myuna coal with its Mandalong coal to provide the standard needed by Origin Energy to run Eraring Power Station, but to do this they need to truck a million tonnes a year to Awaba out of the currently-unused Wangi Point Road intersection (which is about half-way down the southern hill between the two Wangi turnoffs).
▶️ That equates to 31,250 truck loads a year, or 20 trucks per hour coming in or out of Wangi Point Road, into a 90kmh zone, and heading up the hill. I just don't believe that will work without regular accidents, casualties and even fatalities.
▶️ Centennial's application says "no widening or improvement works are required on Wangi Road" or at the intersection which currently has no turning lanes. I strongly disagree.
▶️ I absolutely accept the arguments that we need to keep Centennial's employees in jobs, and the State currently needs Eraring operating, but this plan is risky and dangerous in my opinion, and a different option has to be found.
NSW Resources Regulator
Comment
Newcastle , New South Wales
Message
Good Morning
Please see attached Resources Regulator response to the above project
Regards
Matt
Attachments
Miriam Boyce
Object
BUTTABA , New South Wales
Message
As a resident in the area of both Wangi Wangi and Buttaba, I am very familiar with the intersections to access and exit those suburbs. They are barely manageable now in peak hour and therefore the planned increase in truck traffic will make exiting in particular very dangerous. So far the biggest danger on daily use is inexperienced or incompetent drivers who drive under the speed limit and slow down commuting traffic, the proposed amount of trucks will enhance the issue of "smooth flow of traffic" and make it worse. There is not enough sections of dual lanes to enable trucks to remain on the left while other drivers can continue safely without interruption which is going to impact all road users.
History has also indicated that previous truck usage when the Wangi power station was open did damage to the roads and increased fatal accidents then, and so appropriate diversions put in place at the time. Those diversions need to remain and heavy truck traffic need an alternate route or method to manage the loads.
Please do not put motorist and the community at risk in this way, and prevent the increase of heavy trucks on this section of road.

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
MP10_0080-Mod-2
Main Project
MP10_0080
Assessment Type
SSD Modifications
Development Type
Coal Mining
Local Government Areas
Central Coast

Contact Planner

Name
Tanvir Islam