Bylong Coal Mine

A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.

*The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.


*A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.


*Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.


*The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.


*The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.
*The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.


*A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.


*Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.


*The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.


*The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.

*Important European heritage, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings will be destroyed in the opencut. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.

The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.


A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.


Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.


The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.


The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.


Important European heritage, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings will be destroyed in the open cut. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.

Please stop despoiling our beautiful nation by allowing toxic CSG mines to contaminate our ground water, destroy biodiversity, compromise human health and well being. Surely there are cleaner energy alternatives we can invest in and utilise with good conscience.

I am particularly concerned about the destruction of native habitat that is home to a number of threatened and endangered species including the brush tailed wallaby ,quoll and a number of bird varieties.I am also concerned about the affect on prime agricultural land and water quality.
Consequently I most strongly object to this proposal going ahead.
It will have negative economic impacts on local agriculture and will be another example of poor environmental policy by this state govt. Clearly they are still in denial about climate change.

I object to this coal project for many reasons including the long term impact on agricultural land including rainwater issues. There is also the impact on places of importance to both our Aboriginal and European heritages.

Please take a step back and think about the future of our kids and theirs. Please take a step back and think about the need for the world to find alternative sources of power other than coal. Use this as an encouragement to do so. What is destroyed or impaired by this project can never be restored.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Marylynne Stadmiller

Please take note.

The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.

I wish to communicate the following points as to the viability & appropriateness of the development in question.
The bylong valley is home to ideal pasture for agricultural pursuits & is a healthy water supply to farmers via the bylong river system.
The bylong valley is also home to a number of endangered species, including, although not limited to the spotted-tailed quoll & brush rock wallaby.
The proposed site also holds Aboriginal significance which should be respected by white Australians & most importantly Government.
The abovementioned points are only a small number of the many negative impacts this proposed mine will have on the environment & I ask that this mine not be approved for the greater good of humanity!

I strongly object to mining within the Bylong Valley, i strongly object to any mining within this catchment. Below are some reasons.

The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.



A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.



Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.



The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.



The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.



Important European heritage, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings will be destroyed in the opencut. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.

Sincerely,

Ben Harris

Please protect beautiful Bylong Valley from open-cut coal mines. At a time when wind and solar are getting better and cheaper by the day, destroying prime-ag land for a commodity that is crashing in price and increasingly unpopular across the world is maddness.
Consider the irreversible impact on land and water - we need to secure our food suppy into the future.
Also the area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.

I am familiar with this area and therefore object to approval of this mine:
1. A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed. Even the potential of this occurring should be the critical criterion in your considerations (BSAL ... Bio-Regional Significant Agricultural Land).
2. The mine will have a significant impact on ground water and surface water, another critical factor in your considerations.
3. There are very high bio-diversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. National endangered species recorded in the area include the brush-tailed wallaby, New Holland mouse, regent honey-eater, and spotted-tailed quoll. Three entirely new plant species have been recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum woodland will be destroyed, along with 17 threatened birds and seven plants.
4. The mine would devastate the social, economic and environmental fabric of the Bylong Valley.

My objections in summary form:
This mine will destroy prime agricultural land and this will not be mitigated by rehabilitation and offset programs.The Tarwyn River farming project will be damaged by this mine.
The area has important aboriginal historical value and indeed,white Australian historical value.
Health issues becoming more clearly related to mining -respiratory and cardiac disease in particular -will affect surrounding populations.

I object the proposed open-cut and underground mines by Kepco in the Bylong Valley.
I have visited the Bylong Valley and it is a significant area for agriculture and native wildlife as well as beautiful and picturesque. The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.
The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.
There will also be significant impacts on groundwater and unsustainable water use, aboriginal heritage and the local community who call the Bylong area home.
This mining project should not even be considered. Too many areas around NSW have already been lost to the dying fossil fuel industry. Keep mines out of Bylong.
Thank you.

For there to be coal mining in the beautiful Bylong valley would be another absolute tragedy! The most beautiful and significant places in our country don't seem to be respected for their true value ...which is in remaining as they are...incredible places of environmental biodiversity natural wonder or farmlands! If there is coal or some other exploitable mineral there , they will be chewed up and spat out as a waste land.
I absolutely and totally object to this coal mine going ahead!!!
A BIG NO FROM ME !

We need to make sure we have a good mix of industry, job creation and land use in this region. Coal mining has too much dominance in our region and we are risking the social, economic and environmental resilience of our region. all to benefit large international firms.

La nina is coming and with it the community's awareness of planning for drought and food security will increase. We do not accept this proposal's long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley.

These impacts will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. T

This proposed mine footprint and location is utterly unacceptable. It will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.

The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.

The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.

Why do we even have a planning department if these kinds of matters are not properly considered in our region in the determinations that are made?

THE BYLONG COAL PROJECT

I appreciate this opportunity to comment and state my objection to the Bylong Coal Project.
The justification for Kepco's coal mine is flawed and if approved, disproportionately benefits the proponents over the community and our regional, State and National economies.
This development proposal should not be considered in isolation from NSW's and, in particular, the Hunter Valley's coal mining industry. The proponent should not be given permission to mine just because they can. This project should not just be about the economic benefits to the proponent.
It is apparent the coal industry as a whole refuses to accept the necessary, fundamental shift away from fossil fuels and the inevitable impact that move will have on our community.
There simply is more than enough established global production capacity of coal to service the energy requirements of global power stations for decades.
Viable coal mines are closing in NSW.
By supporting a new applicant, The NSW Government will only accelerate the closure of other mines. Where is the logic of counting potential royalties when the approval of new coal production will accelerate the closure and loss of royalties of established mines?
Standout risks from coal expansion in the region include not only greenhouse gas emissions, but the permanent destruction of the landscape, environment - including water supply and quality, and the economic and social integrity of the region.
Kepco's proposal will see:
* The tragic forced, imminent destruction of the renowned Tarwyn Park (Bylong Valley's Tarwyn Park sold to coalmining company Kepco, Newcastle Herald, Joanne McCarthy May 1 2015) As Mr Andrews, the owner, stated the "reality of ending his relationship with Tarwyn Park would not hit until he walked out the gate. He reserves his strongest criticism for politicians: ``The mining companies are just doing what the rules say they're allowed to do. It's the politicians who don't understand the impacts, on the environment and families and communities, and they don't care.''
* Destruction of prime agricultural land. The mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha to be destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.
* Significant impacts on groundwater and surface water. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.
* The loss of very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species are recorded in the mining area. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.
* Risk to Aboriginal cultural heritage: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.
* Destruction of the European heritage of Bylong, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings to be destroyed in the open cut operation. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.
Given the `doomsday' state of the international coal export market and the risks coal mining operations pose to the community, the proponent's conclusion that "the socio-economic benefits of the Project will far outweigh its social and environmental impacts" irresponsibly ignores the economic case for not proceeding with the proposal. (p.59 Justification Bylong Coal Project Executive Summary EIS Sept 2015 Hansen Bailey Environmental Consultants)
It was recently reported that "The economic benefits of these (coal) projects just aren't there. They're barely viable under the current coal price outlook and they have negative impacts on other industries". (What would it take to make the NSW coal industry happy? Rod Campbell, 9 Jul 2015, Climate Spectator - CLIMATE ENERGY MARKETS POLICY & POLITICS)
A responsible cost benefit analysis should validate the true economic costs to the community as well as the benefits. This can only be done when the proponent's consultants logically and fairly present a no-go alternative. Will the community be better off without this project when it is obvious that the project comes at the cost of existing agricultural, social and environmental regional resources?
We know that it is cheaper for existing Hunter Valley coal companies to sell coal at a loss than to halt production. (Coal Glut Foils Price Rally With Miners Tied to Exports, Ben Sharples 24.4.14 Bloomberg "Australian Mining Companies are prolonging a supply glut that's driven coal prices to a four year low because of freight contracts that make it cheaper to ship at a loss than cut output").
Incongruously, Kepco state (p 5 Project Need Bylong Coal Project Executive Summary EIS Sept 2015 Hansen Bailey Environmental Consultants)"Kepco is seeking to develop the energy resources located within the Project site so as to reduce Kepco Korea's exposure to resource scarcity issues and assist in ensuring energy security for South Korea as a whole".
This justification can only be seen as irresponsible - when we know that proven recoverable coal reserves in Indonesia are sufficient to provide all power stations in the world today for at least 200 years and the Queensland Government is boasting that the Galilee Basin contains sufficient coal to supply world demand for over 200 years.
There simply is no such thing as "resource scarcity" when it comes to coal. Australian coal is cheap and plentiful and will remain so without the construction of a new coal mine.
Existing coal mines are operating at a loss because of market oversupply causing price collapse.
When it comes to the employment benefits of working for the coal industry, it's on the record that no job in the coal industry is guaranteed or secure. Anticipated employment figures quoted by the proponent cannot be substantiated. Over 4,000 coal mining related jobs have been shed over the last two years.
Traditional and future agricultural industries of the region are jeopardized by Kepco's coal mining proposal, so it follows if the proposal is approved we will see a permanent and major dislocation in the regional workforce and industries (eg horse breeding). As Mike Foley reported in The Land newspaper, 16 July 2015 - "Plain and simple, agriculture is at risk" from coal mining.
Kepco's aim is to capitalize on their Bylong coal reserve in order to expand their business both "within and outside of Korea" (p3 Bylong Coal Project Executive Summary EIS Sept 2015 Hansen Bailey Environmental Consultants) and to "secure critical energy coal reserves for the people of Korea" (p57 Project Justification, Bylong Coal Project Executive Summary EIS Sept 2015 Hansen Bailey Environmental Consultants).
However, it is clear that the opportunity to fulfill Kepco's expansion can occur without the construction of a new Hunter Valley coal mine and NSW constituents (in particular) will be a lot better off without another coal mine. The Bylong Coal Project Proposal should be rejected.

predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. The renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequence farming processes will be destroyed.


A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 ha of land including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL), 260 ha being destroyed in open cut, plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The proposal to replace BSAL at another location is untested and high risk.


Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the stressed Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr). Loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 ML/yr which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.


The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. Nationally endangered species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll. Three entirely new plant species were recorded. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants.


The area has Aboriginal cultural heritage significance: 239 sites were recorded in the study area with 25 regarded as being of high local or regional significance (including an ochre quarry, grinding grooves and rock shelters); 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.


Important European heritage, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings will be destroyed in the opencut. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.

To the NSW Department of Planning and Environment,
I am totally opposed to the absurd idea of a coal mine laying waste to this incredibly beautiful and agriculturally rich part of Australia. Particularly in light of the present international verdict on the demise of carbon polluting agents as an energy source into the future. For all the obvious reasons, this project should not go ahead and would be a damning indictment of the NSW State Government if it did so. But as we have seen so many times over, short-term gains and big pockets can win out. Lets hope this will not be the case with Bylong.
Being a resident of Kandos, I am aware of concerns of the local community and of Kepco's suggestions that the proposed coal mine would be of economic benefit to the area. I attended the information evening held recently at Bylong by the Department of Planning and Environment (amongst other related departments) and was certainly not convinced that this will be the case. Upon reading the Executive Summary Report from Kepco, I am even less convinced that they have the local community's concerns in mind. It is apparent that they are very vague about the amount of local employment that will flow from the proposed project. A short term engagement of their vague (they use the word 'approximate') maximum number at construction phase and a longer term engagement of their 'approximate' lesser number at a 'peak' (IE: not necessarily continuing) operation at full production. It is also possible that there will be a large quota of fly-in staff staying at purpose-built accommodation on the site. Let's see some rigorous analysis of their analysis! This would also have to include consideration of the contemporary move towards automisation of much traditional mining related manual work. While on the subject of analysis, the EIS appears to assume a lot about the incredibly fragile nature of available water resources. An issue that obviously requires a lot more attention and should be analysed by an independent authority.
I am taking the liberty of including information from two sources in support of my objection to this proposed project. These sources are doing the research and fighting the battle. I need go no further than to reiterate their objections. The first is text from the Bylong Valley Protection Alliance, which recently hosted a wonderful weekend of activities in the town of Bylong on Oct 24 & 25. The latter is an excerpt from a speech that Green's member Jeremy Buckingham recently gave to the NSW Legislative Council.
Bylong Valley Protection Alliance:
'The Bylong Valley is a highly fertile area of great historical significance to both Aboriginal and European peoples, and it should not be mined for coal. Kepco's proposed mine will destroy the renowned Tarwyn Park natural sequencing farming site. The predicted long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems from the mine are unacceptable and will not be mitigated through proposed offsets and rehabilitation. A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural land (BSAL), plus 700 ha of mapped Critical Equine Industry Cluster land. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942 million litres of water, which is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The Bylong Valley River system is over-allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply. The mine disturbance area has very high biodiversity values that will not be mitigated through the proposed offset arrangements. A significant area of critically endangered Grassy Box Gum Woodland will be destroyed along with habitat for 17 threatened birds and 7 threatened plants. The impact of the mine's water use on the famous Wollomi Pine, which was discovered nearby, has not yet been factored in to Kepco's Environmental Impact Statement. 144 Aboriginal heritage sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts. Important European heritage, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings will be destroyed by the open cut. The social impacts on the Bylong community have already been devastating.'
Excerpt from Jeremy Buckinham's speech to the NSW Legislative Council:
"KEPCO proposes to extract up to 6.5 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum to export for approximately 25 years, combining open-cut and underground operations. Overall, 124 million tonnes of coal will be extracted. The project is wholly owned by KEPCO, which is a company controlled by the South Korean Government. That the proposal has made it to this stage is a case study of the failure of the Coalition's land use and planning policies when it comes to coal. We do not need greenfield thermal coalmines because of climate change and because the industry is in structural decline. The price of thermal coal is only $58 a tonne and falling, 10,000 jobs have been lost in the coalmining sector in New South Wales in the past year and more mines in New South Wales are currently in care and maintenance than are actually operating. It is probably in the interests of existing coalmines and coalminers that no more coalmines be approved otherwise the industry will collapse catastrophically.
The greatest expansion in coalmining in the State's history has occurred under this Government--something that will be on its record forever. This Government has approved 41 new coalmines or extensions since it came to office in 2011, and a further 13 are in the planning pipeline. The Bylong Valley is a case in point. It is a beautiful area that should be off limits to mining--but nowhere is off limits. It is an important agricultural region. According to the EIS, 2,366 hectares of biophysical strategic agricultural land [BSAL] and 1,933 hectares of equine critical industry cluster are within the study area. The mine will take almost 4,000 hectares of prime farmland out of agricultural production. KEPCO plans to make BSAL elsewhere, basically by taking the good dirt from where it is dug up and moving it--a ridiculous proposition. It is also one of the most stunningly beautiful places in Australia, if not the world. Anyone who has driven from Rylstone across to the Hunter Valley through the Bylong Valley would have to agree that it is.
It is a beautiful part of the world. It is listed as one of Australia's top 10 drives. It is listed by the National Trust as a landscape conservation area. It has very limited but highly valuable water resources that should not be risked. The Office of Water has said that available water resources in the area are not sufficient for a mine of this size. As we have seen, there is no gate in the gateway. The gateway panel said that it failed 11 of the 12 criteria, but this is meaningless. It said that it would have significant impacts on the agricultural productivity of verified BSAL and that it would have significant impacts on highly productive groundwater. It also said:
"The applicant has misconstrued the Gateway process and failed to put forward a compliant or considered assessment of its potential impacts on the equine CIC (critical industry cluster)."
Yet the project sails through. The land access or arbitration failures are abysmal. It has gone ahead without any of the Bret Walker recommendations in place. The community has already been destroyed by this mine. KEPCO owns 7,800 hectares of land in the valley, which is more than the entire area of Hong Kong. Tarwyn Park, Peter Andrews' iconic farm, is to be destroyed--natural sequence farming is to be destroyed. We have seen the local school closed and the rural fire brigade destroyed, with only 10 volunteers left. This is an abysmal mine. The Government needs to get over coal. We stand with the Bylong Valley Protection Alliance and with Craig Shaw and the good people of Bylong in saying no to this coalmine."
With all of this in mind, I sincerely hope that Kepco's Bylong Coal Project proposal is rejected.
Yours sincerely,
Terry Burrows

I object to this Project. The loss of valuable agricultural farm land and diminished scenic protection , cannot be justified. In the long term, protecting this land will yield greater economic results for the State.

I wish to proclaim my objection to the proposed coal mines in the Bylong Valley for the following reasons.

1. Any coal required now or in the future can be produced in existing mines.
2. Future orders for coal products are already dwindling and will continue to do so.
3. Since the changing climate is reducing the arable land available, and food production is becoming a priority, why would you wish to reduce the capacity of Australian farms.

i would like to see a moratorium on any current or future proposals.

John Hughes