Bengalla Coal Mine - Continuation

I support the continuation of Bengalla as it contributes to the wider community with scholarships, donations and sponsors a variety of events in the local community, it also provides employment for a large number of permanent staff and contracting companies in the surrounding areas which in turn is a positive for the local economy, If Bengalla was to cease operation than I believe that the local community and surrounding areas will be impacted as the unemployment level will rise and people will be forced to leave the area to find employment in other communities.

I wish to lodge my support for the approval of the extension to Bengalla Mine in Muswellbrook. Due to the down turn in the mining industry and the uncertainty of extension of other mines in the area, I feel this application must be granted on the basis of continuing employment of those already employed by Bengalla Mining Co and the future employment of those displaced by other mine closures. Muswellbrook Shire is not in a position to absorb the present workforce of Bengalla mine and the level of unemployment presented would be detrimental to the Muswellbrook Community.
The apprenticeship program offered by Bengalla is also of importance for our community. The loss of these apprenticeship positions would further deny the youth of our community to attain gainful employment. As the father of two teenage children this is of great concern to me. I am also employed by Bengalla as a mine technician and would like to continue my association working at this mine. As the mining extension will be advancing away from the Muswellbrook township, the impact to the town should be less than it is now. The dust problem generated by the mining industry is well monitored, with Bengalla having stricter levels ( which I am sure will continue with the extension) and as mother nature can never be controlled the amount of dust in the air at any one time can never be predicted. Muswellbrook is surrounded by coal mines and the dust emission is not dependent on Bengalla alone.
I ask the State Government to consider in favour of this extension for my sake, my children's sake and the sake and viability of our town.

To whom it may concern,
My family & I have been involved in various types of mining throughout Australia for 20 years and moved to NSW and the coal industry just over 4 years ago.
I have never before in my career in Mining felt compelled to support any such proposal as I do now and I do this willingly after having seen before in other areas of Australia the disregard or half-hearted attempts mining companies seem to have made for their neighbours and the environment in general.
At Bengalla we are told from Day 1 the importance and responsibility we all have to protect the environment and to appropriately rehabilitate the areas after we have mined them and this is supported by the evidence of the areas onsite where this has occurred and also the sensitive way areas immediately adjacent to active mining are treated and protected.
After 4 years at Bengalla I am immensely proud to be involved with a company that not only preaches Environmental responsibility but reinforces this through its actions year in, year out.
The support that is also offered to the immediate community by way of grants and sponsored events also makes me proud to be involved at Bengalla
It is for these reasons I support the Bengalla continuation of Mining application.

Regards

John Brady
28 Bimbadeen Drive
MUSWELLBROOK NSW 2333
0428 429571

The continuation of Bengalla Mine is another step forward to keep employment local for Employee's and contracting companies around the Muswellbrook Shire. Bengalla Mine also gives young people around the area the opportunity for an Apprenticeship in the Electrician or Plant Mechanic role, Employees at Bengalla have many years of experience in the Coal Handling Preparation Plant and Mobile Workshop to offer Apprentices knowledge and hands on skills for their trade.

I believe Muswellbrook needs to keep investing in mining in the area. Why should a small minority group of non-mining people be able to influence the future of a large number of people living in the area? All of the people I know in this town are reliant on mining in some shape or form, whether they are directly employed in the industry or work for a company providing a service to the mines. For the future of the town and my 3 children I believe this extension should be approved.

I have worked at Bengalla Mine for the past 18 months and over this time I have been very impressed with the amount of care taken in regards to the environment. As a person who had never worked in the mining industry before I was surprised at the measures taken in order to protect the environment both on the land that Bengalla owns and also the surrounding areas. Throughout my time working at Bengalla I have also been impressed with the amount of donations and grants that they have contributed to the local community. I believe that if this approval was to be denied this would be a serious loss for the Muswellbrook and surrounding community due to the direct and indirect job losses in a community that is already struggling due to the mining downturn.

I strongly agree with the approval of the continuation of the Bengalla Mine site. The extended life of this mine will only help the Muswellbrook Community. Bengalla Mine is a large employer in our community and supports Muswellbrook in many ways.

I believe this expansion to be of vital importance to the growth of our town.

I am a current resident of Muswellbrook, and I have observed a number of occasions where the Bengalla Mining Company employees have been positive contributors to the local community.

Bengalla are regular sponsors of major fundraising events for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, as well as community events like the Bengalla Cup and Upper Hunter Regional Show. Employees are regularly seen volunteering to assist at these events, as well as running information stalls about the mine's activities and answering the community's questions.

There are a number of sponsorship and scholarship offers made available by Bengalla, and employees are generous with their time when aspiring students come seeking guidance and advice about apprenticeships or university courses. There are also a number of employees who offer their afternoons and weekends to coach and mentor young local athletes at the various sporting clubs and competitions run at a district and state level.

I firmy believe the Muswellbrook community is better for Bengalla Mining Company's presence, and the diverse and generous employees who are drawn into the area as a result of their ongoing operations.

We need it for more employment within the area and a better financial state of the Hunter Valley

I Believe, in order for employment to increase and a better financial state of the HUnter Valley, this project should go ahead. It would better the mining industry additonally

I personally feel that this project should go ahead because the area needs more jobs and provide local people with a full time reliable job. Also, there are already mines around us everywhere so an extention on a mine won't make any difference.

I personally feel that this project should go ahead because the area needs more jobs and provide local people with a full time reliable job. Also, there are already mines around us everywhere so an extention on a mine won't make any difference.

I personally feel that this project should go ahead because the area needs more jobs and provide local people with a full time reliable job. Also, there are already mines around us everywhere so an extention on a mine won't make any difference.

Bengalla has contributed a great deal to Muswellbrook over the last 14 years with opportunity's for a wide range of people. The impact of Bengalla from an environmental point of view has been very minimal with the mine consistently operating above the guidelines.

As an employee of Bengalla and as a resident of Muswellbrook I have come to see to significant benefits that Bengalla Mine brings to the Upper Hunter area. Through direct and indirect jobs and the sponsorship of numerous community events and organisations, Bengalla is a name that the community highly values and respects. It is seen as a mine that maintains high environmental standards through robust environmental management systems coupled with close community engagement.
I would fully support the continuation of Bengalla mine .

I currently work for bengalla mining company as a production technician. I fully support the continuation of the mine because it is the livelihood for so many families in this region. Bengalla also supports the community as a whole in many ways beyond providing employment including supporting sustainability work with the muswellbrook council, educational work through providing grants to individuals and community services through providing grants to local community groups and organisations. I can see no reason as to why this continuation shouldn't be approved.

We believe that it is important for the future of NSW that this mine is allowed to be extended. They have and are continually trying to improve the process, to increase productivity as well as environmental concerns.
Bengalla Coal supports a number of local business throughout the area as well as other further a field, including interstate.
Coal is a real commodity and will need to be purchased both locally and overseas for many years to come. It is in the best interest of NSW or more broadly, Australia, that this mine is allowed to extend. It promotes jobs and community services.

To the Department of Planning and Infrastructure NSW,

I would like voice my support for the Bengalla Continuation Project as this will extend the life of Bengalla coal mining operations, which is a major contributor to the Upper Hunter economy.
The existing Bengalla mine has an exceptional safety record with all employees and contractors focused on the highest level of work place safety.
Procedures are in place at Bengalla Mine to ensure Environmental impacts are minimized, with many new and innovative ideas used to manage dust, noise and other environmental issues.
The Bengalla Mine is a significant contributor to the economy of the Upper Hunter and the state of NSW , employing many local people directly and creating work for many other local businesses.
The continuation of Bengalla Mine will secure employment for existing staff and on going economic benefit to the Hunter Region and the State of NSW.

Regards Jodie & Paul Janssen
Jerrys Plains Rd
Denman NSW 2328

I am writing to support the Bengalla Mining Company Continuation.
I have been employed at Bengalla for 2 years. This company provides employment to 400 employees and numerous contractors in the local area. The continuation of the mine will look to secure approximately 500 additional roles for the local area.
I relocated to the Upper Hunter from Newcastle in 2011. When relocating to the area I was very impressed by the amount of support and presence Bengalla provides to the local and surrounding communities. In my role at Bengalla I have volunteered my time to the local community for things such as pathways for girls, speaking at local career days and completing mock interviews for high school students.
The continuation of Bengalla Mine past 2017 will not only provide secure employment but it will also ensure that employees continue to contribute to the local and surrounding communities.