Bengalla Coal Mine - Continuation

I support the continuation of Bengalla Mine. As a local Muswellbrook resident who works in the mining industry with a young family, the mine provides not only a huge number of local jobs, but also provides employment to many service providers through out the local area. I use local services where possible and I feel that if the mine ceased to exist then the community would suffer as a result as myself and many others would be forced to look for work else where. I feel that the mine provides significant support to the local community and that they manage the site well with its close proximity to the town. Many other mining companies could take a leaf out of Bengallas book on how to be actively engaged with the community in a positive manor.

I wish to support the Bengalla Mining submission for the continuation of mining as I believe it will benefit Muswellbrook and the surrounding community. I am currently employed by Bengalla having relocated from Western Australia approx. 11 years ago. Both my wife and I depend on the mining industry for employment, to provide for our family's livelihood. We are now proud to call the Hunter Valley, in particular Muswellbrook home and hope to do so for many years to come. The continuation of the project will provide opportunities for employment, further growth and improved local services and amenities for the region due to Bengalla's onging support. I believe Bengalla is a responsible neighbour to the community and takes environmental concerns seriously.

Baker & Farrow Pty Ltd is a family business selling Industrial & Engineering Supplies to the Mining & Engineering Sector in the Hunter Valley. The Company support's whole heartedly the Bengalla Mine expansion plans into the future. Baker & Farrow Pty Ltd employ staff from the Muswellbrook district and with the current enviroment we are all in, the expansion is very much needed to keep the local community employed. Baker & Farrow Pty Ltd some 20 month's ago expanded our business to build a purpose facility to service Bengalla and other Mines in the area. The last thing Muswellbrook needs is for there to be no work for the local community outside the mining sector. Already in the Muswellbrook area many, many companies are either closing or closed due to the economic downturn. We all would very much like top see all of our Children employed one day and with the way things are right now, it's not pretty for Year 12 leaver's of 2013 gaining Employment by way of Apprenticeships across every Category.

We wanted to bring to the attention of the Department the significant impacts that this development has on our property. Our property is receiver 155.

Noise:
Volume 1 Section 8: Table 40 shows 155 in the significantly affected section. We are the closest receiver to the West of this development.
Table 42: also shows us as being significantly impacted by this development.
I cannot find any information as to the noise impact of the realignment of the link road in year15. There is mention in Appendix H table 16 of link road construction noise exceedance, but no mention in table 18 "Existing and proposed operational traffic noise,LAeq" This relocation will have a major impact as now it is approx 1km from our residence after realignment it will be approx 200m from our house with traffic traveling at 100kh. Also this road will eventually be a major heavy vehicle bypass fitting in with MSC western roads strategy. There is no reference to 155 in Appendix Q section 7. and 7.1

Dust
Volume 1 Section 8 Table 31 shows exceedances for 155 but only in year 24. I would have thought that being the closest western receiver approx 500m from the disturbed area and mining coming towards us the impacts from dust and blasting would have been more significant. Especially cumulative impacts from MAC, Mt Pleasant and Mangoola. Left out of Appendix G Table 10-20. What are the cumulative impacts when surrounded by these 3 major developments especially when taking into account our elevation? Surely the impacts from this development and MAC would be far more significant than has been stated.

Groundwater
Appendix K Section 11.5: Impacts on Groundwater Users: There is only one bore on private land GW073576 which is within the modeled zone of depressurization associated with the project. That is our bore. The drawdown at this bore is predicted to be about 2m. This is quite a vague answer considering it is just outside the Aquifer Interference Policy. To trigger the AIF the drawdown is to be greater than 2m. There is no mention of the impact to discharge rates or water quality. 12:3 states "It is not possible to collect all the data characterizing the whole groundwater system in detail and therefore various assumptions have to be made during development of the groundwater model". Modeling and assumptions are not real scientific evidence of the true impacts of interfering with underground aquifers.

Blasting
Section 8:4:3 Impact assessment states "BMC blast monitoring results for the period 2007-2011 indicates that a minimum setback distance from non mine owned receptors of 1470m from project blasting would be appropriate to ensure impacts remain below relevant criteria". Our residence will be approx 900m from the proposed pit. Closer than property 156. This is considerably closer than the study's appropriate distance of 1470m and therefore impacts in our opinion would be significant. When you take into account the massive plumes of orange gasses that escape after each blast are full of Nitrates and Sulphates 900m would be unlivable. Appendix G 15:4 acknowledges that the project is moving west and as it does the blast fume impacts to the west would increase." It would become increasingly more complicated and restrictive to apply only simple blast permissions to prevent impacts in this situation". One would also have to question the modeling for blast fume when there is so much inconsistency between each blast as to how much gas they produce. As stated earlier most blasts in the Valley now have an orange yellow cloud due to cheaper explosive and varying degrees of moisture in the blast hole. But all looks good on paper. Maybe that is why our tank water has a ph5. Used to be 7.2.

Bengalla link road realignment
Appendix H Table 16 shows noise exceedances during construction of the realignment of the link road at 155 but there is no mention of the impacts of moving the road to within 200m of our residence. This will be a major noise and visual impact. Section 12 in the Conclusion mentions the impacts of construction at receivers here but not the ongoing impact of realignment. This link road is also earmarked for use as a heavy vehicle bypass by MSC under their Western Roads Policy. Moving it to within 200m of our house will have major impacts. Especially at change of shift when mines traffic increases substantially.

Visual Impacts
Appendix I Section 7.2 Residences: Western Sector. The visual impacts on residents with views to the project in this sector will continue to be moderate to high. I cannot find any information on the visual impact of the realignment of the link road which would be difficult when only 200m away.
7.7.2 Direct Light Effects: The only locations that will have direct line of sight to night lighting are elevated locations such as Roxburgh road that overviews any screening topography and vegetation. This impact has just increased with the mine now in a direct line of sight after taking out a ridge line. As the mine moves further west we will not have the benefit of screening from trees and ridge line. The overburden mountain is approx 50m higher than what was in the original EIS. Is the height of that going to change?


Property Values. This topic has been bought up with each new mine development and still has not been properly addressed. This is a question for Planning "How is it possible for landowners to get proper valuations supposedly not affected by mining when they are surrounded by mining developments"?


We envisaged up till now of being able to stay here and live out our lives, but this development makes our home unlivable. The impacts will be quite significant.

Ongoing development of our natural resources is vital for the growth of the Hunter Valley, NSW and Australia. To support our socioeconomic needs we require companies like Rio Tinto to invest in this Hunter Valley region. I have been fortunate to be employed by Hunter Valley mines for thirty years. It has provided my family a sound quality of life that can only come from a strong reliable coal industry. Continued investment in the coal industry will only occur if development applications similar to this, once considered, are realised. The flow on, or cascade effect, of exploration and expansion projects support and benifit all communities in the Hunter Valley.

Dear Sir / Madam

I have two childern (20month old boy and girl twins)completely depending on the Bengalla continuation project to provide a stable source of income to our family. As a member of the Upper Hunter community and as a mining supervisor (OCE) at Bengalla I can say without any doubt that the employees and management are and will be in the future, 110% committed to being environmentally conscious members of our community. No one at the mine wishes to destroy their own "backyard" with many employees raising families within 20km of the mine it is in every employees best interest to run a productive yet environmentally responsible operation.

I ask that you please take into account the overwhelming benefits that the extension will provide for our community, our families and for the country when making your decision.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Weeks

I have been involved in the Mining Industry in the Hunter Valley for the last 11 years with nearly the last 6 as an employee of Bengalla.

From the day you walk in the door you quickly learn that it's not our right to mine but a privilege that is extended to us by our neighbours and the community. We have a responsibility as individuals and a company to protect the environment, consider our neighbours and the community during our daily work. In the last six years I have seen this practiced on a daily basis time and time again. I am proud to say I work at Bengalla and we practice what we preach.

Bengalla has a presence within the local community through it's sponsorship of local events and community donations, which brings the community together.

It is for the above reasons that I support the continuation of Bengalla.

Tim Woodward

I believe Bengalla continuation should proceed to keep the area prosperous and for the region to reap the benefits to the broader community of stable employment for many people. I have been an employee for thirteen years and believe that Bengalla operates in a manner which looks after its responsibilities to look after the environment and is a good member of the community

I personally believe Bengalla continuation project should proceed in regards to the employment opportunities and community benefits this mine does for the local area,,I truly believe that this mines enviromental standards and rejuevination projects are second to none and will be adhered to with stringent due diligence for what is best for native fauna,,and wildlife,,The continuation of this mine will be a true leader and asset to the community.

I want the proposed extension to be granted as the mine supports employment with in the community including apprentices, small business etc. the industry is necessary to maintain the economic backbone of the country, it can be seen the difference in the township of Muswellbrook growth in housing and development. The mine itself is environmentally concious at all times. The mine is working away from the township therefore the impact is lessening.

I would like to submit my support for the continuation of the Bengalla mine operation.
I have been a resident of Muswellbrook and an employee of Bengalla Mine for the past two years. During my time in Muswellbrook I have had the pleasure to be welcomed into a community that is passionate and very proud of its local mining history. I can say without question that I am equally proud to be employed by a company that is committed to the health, safety and future of its environment, its community and its employees.

I am a second year apprentice plant mechanic working in the Hunter Valley and think that the continuation should proceed to keep the economy in the area going and promote more jobs for local people.

Attention: Director Mining and Industry Projects,

I wish to write in support of this project going ahead.

Muswellbrook and Singleton have in the time I have been living here benefited significantly from the jobs that the mining industry creates. As evidence of this, one only has to examine the new developments, facilities and infrastructure improvements that have occurred in the last two years as a direct consequence of having a healthy mining industry.

It would be very unfortunate for people's jobs and the surrounding towns / districts if the proposal was rejected.

I would like to give my support to the mine continuation at Bengalla as I am a plant mechanic with Westrac and we need to keep mining to help supporting industries.

I support the continuation of Bengalla because my husband works there and my two sons also work in the role of plant mechanics at Mangoola Coal and Westrac.Without the continuation many hundreds of jobs both directly and indirectly would be lost.

Bengalla is active in the local community and offers support to many local organisations. The company has demonstrated an excellent approach to managing the environmental impacts of it's operations. My house looks directly over the mine and I feel the company has done an excellent job of minimising the visual impact of its operations. The extension of Bengalla's operations will offer long term secure employment to many people who will in turn contribute to the community, both socially and financially.

In support of the Bengalla Continuation Project I would like to make the following points
* Bengalla mine provides consistent long term employment to people in the Upper Hunter community. The community is further enhanced through donations and contributions to charitable organisations, and the support of projects to benefit residents.
* The company is involved in environmental initiatives such as bird watching and tree planting.
* The management of the visual impact of the mine site on the town of Muswellbrook has been well handled. The view from my home directly onto the mine is adequately pleasing.

I've lived in the Muswellbrook Community since 1985 and have seen the Mining Industry's ebbs and flows.

Whenever the Mines in the area have had economic downturns, the flow on effect on the community has been significant which strongly indicates to me that the other commercial sectors rely very much on Mining Industry. Having experience in Hospitality in the local area, this includes the Wine & Horse industries.

I would be very disappointed to see this submission rejected and believe the impact on Muswellbrook and surrounding communities would be detrimental.

I support the continuation of Bengalla Mine. Bengalla provides financial growth to the Hunter region through employment ,sponsorship and general community support. To see this project not go ahead we would see lost employment opportunities for our young people entering the work force in the future. This would impact the community across the board.

As a member of the local muswellbrook community and an employee of Rio Tinto I fully support the Bengalla Mine continuation project. The Bengalla mine employ's over 400 staff of which 90% live in the local community. These people support loacal business, schools and community groups which are all essential elements to a vibrant area that the Upper Hunter is today.

Many believe the local mining industry is seen to be at a cross roads with agriculture in the Upper Hunter. I disagree with these comments and strongly agree that mining and agriculture can work together for the benefit of the community.