Bylong Coal Mine

I strongly recommend that approval not be given to Kepco's plan to mine the Bylong Valley for the following reasons:

1. The impacts on agricultural land and water systems will damage local farming and the local communities.

2. The mine will disturb or destroy the local ecosystems and will threaten nationally endangered species such as the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll and Grassy Box Gum Woodland. These animal and plant species are important in their own right but also humans are critically dependent on the services that ecosystems provide. Every time we damage an ecosystem, we damage the wellbeing of future generations.

3. The coal mined will contribute to global warming. We know that we cannot burn all the coal we currently have access to. We do not need more coal mines. They are bad for the environment, bad for the economy, bad for human health and threaten the survival of humanity.

It is government's duty to put the long term benefit of society as a whole above the short term economic interests of a privileged few.

The world demand for coal is diminishing at a astonishingly rapid rate, and its value accordingly. Renewable energy is advancing at an astonishing rate. To envisage a coal mine existing for 10 years is flying in the face of all current knowledge.

Conversely, the damage done by a mine to the land is permanent. To destroy extremely productive rural land for what will turn out to be a short term gain (if any gain) is NOT in the interest of the constituents whose interests you are supposed to protect. When the mining company goes broke, who will be left to pay the costs of remediation?

I urge you to apply common sense to this application to mine the Bylong Valley and deny its approval.

Background:
Korean power company, Kepco, is proposing to mine 6.5 million tonnes of coal per year (Mtpa) over 25 years from 2 open cut pits (8 yrs) and an underground mine in the highly fertile Bylong Valley.
Key points for submission of objection:
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 in the open cut area.

6. 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.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We need to prevent the destruction of our prime agricultural land and the environment for short term profits.

The mine will have long-term impacts on prime agricultural land and water systems in the Bylong Valley, which 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 hectares (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.

Regards.

Dora Evans

Dear Sir/ Madam
I would just pled with you to reconsider the approval of mining in the Bylong valley , there is enough land area in Australia that you don't need to use prime land . I have visiting Bylong for years , driving down the mountains and then seeing that beautiful valley , I wish to continue doing that . So please reconsider this injustice and save our beautiful countryside, have a heart and make the right decision.

There is a serious risk that this mine will de-water the groundwater aquifer in the Bylong Valley as a consequence of its operations.

Combined with the historic over allocation of surface water the project leaves the community and farmers with unacceptable impacts.

It is not a valid argument to say that the permanent damage is only on company owned land.

It is clear that the end of the coal boom is over and our country will have to move on. That water needs to be their long after the project has been phased out.

For these reasons the mine project should be rejected.

I have long treasured the Bylong Valley as one of the most scenic and idyllic rural valleys in Australia that I know. It is the only direct route from Orange (where I grew up) to Newcastle (where I now live). I drive it regularly and must admit that I really enjoy that portion of my long trip. The scenery passing through the Great Dividing Range is second to none.
It is a quiet and fertile location, literally surrounded by the scars of open cut coal mines and the abandoned remains of older endeavours. Please do not destroy this area also. There are no other locations like it.
It is false economics to argue that there is an ongoing market for the coal reserves. The damage that mentality causes is well recognised. I read daily about the closure and mothballing of mines in the Hunter Valley. I see the impacts of the layoff of staff from those mines and I know that future mining will not be a large, long term employer.
It is pitiful if the Government opinion is that we should excavate the coal and market it quickly , before that market disappears. For long enough in Australia we have placed the allure of a quick dollar ahead of the environment and the landscape. Tourism will provide a longer term and more lucrative source of income and employment than new coal mines ever will.
It is time to listen to the community and stop this unnecessary destruction of what makes Australia a great place to live. The Hunter Valley is already permanently scarred and the residents have to be live with that loss while the profits earned are transferred elsewhere. Enough is Enough!
Doug Lord

OBJECTION to the Bylong Coal Project: SSD 14_6367
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6367
I have lived in Newcastle since 2004, and take a great interest in Environmental and Climate matters in The Hunter and nearby; and the wider effects in Australia, and across the World
Background:
Korean power company, Kepco, is proposing to mine 6.5 million tonnes of coal per year (Mtpa) over 25 years from 2 open cut pits (8 yrs) and an underground mine in the highly fertile Bylong Valley.
Key points for objection:
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 in the open cut area.

6. 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.

7. This development will add cumulative impacts to Australia's contribution to Greenhouse Gases and to Global Warming; and so these matters are an important extra element for NSW Planning and Environment to take into account.

Please keep me informed on the progress of this application

John L Hayes

email: [email protected]

Phn. 4967 3013 Mob 0400 171 602

117 INGALL ST
MAYFIELD EAST NSW 2304

OBJECTION to the Bylong Coal Project: SSD 14_6367
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6367
I have lived in Newcastle since 2004, and take a great interest in Environmental and Climate matters in The Hunter and nearby; and the wider effects in Australia, and across the World.
I have 5 married children and five grandchildren under 5 ( so far ).
I am very concerned what we are doing to the world because of unchecked development, and how we are damaging their future prospects.
Background:
Korean power company, Kepco, is proposing to mine 6.5 million tonnes of coal per year (Mtpa) over 25 years from 2 open cut pits (8 yrs) and an underground mine in the highly fertile Bylong Valley.
Key points for objection:
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 in the open cut area.

6. 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.

7. This development will add cumulative impacts to Australia's contribution to Greenhouse Gases and to Global Warming; and so these matters are an important extra element for NSW Planning and Environment to take into account.

Please keep me informed on the progress of this application

Rosemary E Hayes

email: [email protected]

Phn. 4967 3013 Mob 0400 171 602

117 INGALL ST
MAYFIELD EAST NSW 2304

Correct Planning and Consultation for Mayfield Group ( CPCFM)**

OBJECTION to the Bylong Coal Project: SSD 14_6367
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6367
WE were established in 2010, and have about 500 members and supporters.
Our members and supporters mostly live in the suburbs of in Newcastle.
They take a great interest in Environmental and Climate matters in The Hunter and nearby; and the wider effects in Australia, and across the World.
Most have children and grandchildren.
Our members tell us that they are very concerned what we are doing to the world because of unchecked development, and how we are damaging the future prospects of their children and grandchildren
Background:
Korean power company, Kepco, is proposing to mine 6.5 million tonnes of coal per year (Mtpa) over 25 years from 2 open cut pits (8 yrs) and an underground mine in the highly fertile Bylong Valley.
Key points for objection:
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 in the open cut area.

6. 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.

7. This development will add cumulative impacts to Australia's contribution to Greenhouse Gases and to Global Warming; and so these matters are an important extra element for NSW Planning and Environment to take into account.

Please keep us informed on the progress of this application.

John L Hayes 29th October 2015
Convenor
Correct Planning and Consultation for Mayfield group (CPCFM )**

email: [email protected]

Phn. 4967 3013 Mob 0400 171 602
117 INGALL ST
MAYFIELD EAST NSW 2304
** CPCFM was established in 2010, and has about 500 members and supporters.

i object to the proposal for the following reasons:
~ it will destroy productive land
~ it will poison the water
~ it will destroy existing jobs in the area
~ it will damage the community
~ it will spoil the natural beauty of the area
~ in order to limit global warming to no more than 2 degrees, we cannot afford any new coal mines

I have visited the Bylong Valley and can not believe that you would even consider allowing KEPCO to mine this beautiful valley
I am quoting the following reasons because I think they say everything clearly and confirm my thoughts
1. 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.

2. A significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 hectares (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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 in the open cut area.

6. 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.

7. Energy from coal is not an acceptable future for Australia. Investment should be made into renewable energies and private investors should be encouraged to do so. A major way for this to happen is for Government at all levels to oppose investment in the coal industry.

RE: SUBMISSION - BYLONG COAL MINE - SSD 14_6367 - KEPCO BYLONG AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

Over the years I have watched Craig Shaw and his neighbours resist the onslaught of the overseas mining company, Kepco. Kepco have ruthlessly moved ahead with a mining project which is destined to destroy the Bylong Valley and is bringing immense stress and heartbreak to the residents of Bylong Valley.

As an introduction, my wife and I live in the nearby Capertee Valley which shares the Wollemi National Park with Bylong Valley. To us it would mean that mining the Bylong Valley would destroy another area of scenic beauty and would be denied to us and bring about dust, light pollution and traffic issues along the Bylong Valley Way which links with Capertee Valley Way and Tablelands Way, Tourist Drives.

We attended the meeting chaired by the Planning Department at Bylong recently and it confirmed to us that Kepco has no regard for the agriculture or, history by using more water than the annual rainfall can replenish. It will, destroy the church and school, a few historic homesteads and disrupt the tourist activities in the valley. The Bylong Valley Way is an iconic tourist route between the Hunter region and the Central West and is used by many touring bikes and motorists each weekend.

This scenic drive is important to the Rylstone/Kandos towns as it brings many tourists which stop and spend their tourism dollars. If large mining is allowed to proceed this will be detrimental to the current tourism trade and have an economic downturn to the employment of locals in these two towns.

Agriculture includes beef cattle, horse breeding and crops all of which rely on good clean water. Even if Kepco use less water than predicted the waste water product will poison the water that remains making it unusable for stock or crops.

Other issues are, disruption to the quality of life by noise and dust through explosions and traffic and light disturbance due to 24 hour operations and the scale of the development. We are concerned that noise, light and dust will also carry to landholders living in the Capertee Valley.

We believe that coal mining in the Bylong Valley is inappropriate and should not be approved.

We are giving Australia away to overseas interests for marginal returns, is this the country that our fathers fought for?

We oppose this project as it will disturb the current environment, social and economic fabric of the area and its neighbours that currently exist.

Donna & Bruce Upton
11 Brymair Road, BOGEE 2849

I'm protesting about the mining and fracking in upper bylong valley because of pristine nature of the area also the removable of remains from the Catholic cemertry lncluding my grand parents Hugh France's and Susan Cobrey.

I object to this mine on the grounds that it will damage Bylong Valley's agricultural land, biodiversity, social cohesion, water, and indigenous and European heritage.

I object to this mine on the grounds that it will damage Bylong Valley's agricultural land, biodiversity, social cohesion, water, and indigenous and European heritage.

Please do not go ahead with the KEPCO coal mine. Think about the future not just the dollars you can make now, mostly for a foreign company. The destruction of prime agricultural land and the detrimental impact this mine will have on the water systems of the Bylong Valley are unacceptable and will have far-reaching consequences even after the mine is closed. Despite it's size, Australia only has a small amount of land that is perfect for primary production, the rest is arid, drought stricken and flood prone. Please don't destroy an area that is needed for farming. Think of the negative impact on the environment and the local families. This mine will destroy their livelihoods and ruin properties that have been in families for generations. We as a nation cannot afford to let this keep happening. Our past is important. Our heritage is important. The Aboriginal sites the mine will destroy are important and are of cultural and historic value. This mine will destroy these things permanently for a temporary gain. The Bylong Valley is a National Trust listed landscape conservation area. How can any government even consider allowing a coal mine in the area? The influx of mine employees will artificially increase the rental prices of housing in the Mudgee region which will in turn make it unaffordable for the local population to continue to live there. Think of what it is you are actually doing and not just the bottom line. The profit you will make is fleeting, the destruction you allow is forever!

I'm protesting about the mining and fracking in upper bylong valley, because of the pristine nature of the area,also the removal of the remains from the Catholic cemetry lncluding my grandparents( Hugh France's and Susan Cobrey).

The proposal has failed to show that the water supply into the already affected Hunter River system will not result in a part or total destruction of the Hunter River System. This is a gamble not worth consideration..
As a farmer from Rylstone the loss of prime agricultural land is not acceptable.
The loss of heritage, churches, farm homesteads, schools, is totally unthinkable.
The loss of tourism from the coast through to Mudgee, Rylstone etc is not acceptable.
Most importantly, the national loss of income from the arrangements surrounding this mine are an insult to our community and nation,
It is very unlikely the land will be usable after the mining for many many generations. This is unacceptable,.
The Government should take no pleasure in the fact that some farmers have "sold out", it is a problem for the Government that the policy allows for total sale to overseas companies (countries) to buy our land and destroy it for short term gain and overseas to profit at our expense.
This area is so close to Sydney. It is a tourist destination with long term gains NOT SHORT TERM GAIN WITH LONG TERM PAIN.
The Government needs to behold to a policy of looking after our people, not selling them out for short term gain.
Finally, we loose our coal which could be held for the future, what? A future which may show that not only can coal provide a good source of energy, but a "cleaned up" way of doing it.
SHORT TERM GAIN FOR LONG TERM PAIN AND NATIONAL LOSS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT BEST FOR AUSTRALIA.
I ask that no matter what all the so called investigations etc turn up to support this proposal THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROTECT OUR HERITAGE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS WHICH HAVE MADE US IN THE PAST.