Bylong Coal Mine

I am totally against this project to go ahead I find it a massive invasion of privacy as well as a total neglect of our family history this was their home. Take your money somewhere else we don't need or want this. Seriously show some respect

I was born and grew up in Muswellbrook. The Hunter Valley is now decimated by coal mines and if anyone doesn't know what the Bylong will look like if this project goes ahead, they just need to drive through the once beautiful Hunter. But it's not all about aesthetics, the economics of coal mining just does not add up any more. As the price drops for coal, resource companies are making last ditch attempts to dig it up and ship it out. A blatant grab for profits at the cost of farming land which provides ongoing benefits to the world. Climate scientists tell us that if we want to stop global warming, all coal still in the ground needs to stay there. For the sake of our planets future,we can not afford to be digging up fossil fuels, wrecking our farmland and contributing to future global warming. The Bylong is a beautiful valley. Do not make it another Hunter Valley.

This project should be rejected. The social and economic costs of the carbon emissions of this project far out weigh any benefits that this project might bring. As the prospect of catastrophic climate change poses an existential threat to the citizens of New South Wales I humbly pray that you will reject this project.

To whom it may concern,

I am very concerned about the Bylong Coal Project proposed by KEPCO in the Bylong Valley.

As an environmental scientist, I believe the mine will have unacceptable long-term negative impacts on (i) the local agricultural industry, (ii) the Aboriginal and cultural heritage of the area, (iii) nationally endangered plant and animal species in the area, (iv) the scenic amenity of the area, and (v) groundwater and surfacewater:

The plans to mitigate these negative impacts are wildly optimistic. The methods proposed for mitigation such as offsetting and rehabilitation are un-tested and economically risky.

(i) A very large area of prime agricultural land will be disturbed or destroyed by the mine. A total of 2,875 hectares (ha) of land will be disturbed, including 440 ha of Bioregional Significant Agricultural Land (BSAL) and 700 ha of Critical Equine Industry Cluster land.260 ha of BSAL will be completely and irreversible destroyed by the open cut mine. Included in this destruction is Tarwyn Park, the property on which renowned natural sequence farming processes were pioneered. The mitigation methods proposed, such as offsetting, rehabilitation, and moving BSAL to another area are un-tested and economically risky. Excessive use of water by the mine from the Bylong River catchment and unavoidable disturbances to the area's aquifers (see point V below) will cause farmers to lose valuable and irreplaceable water supply.

(ii) Aboriginal and European cultural heritage sites will be destroyed. Of the 144 Aboriginal Aboriginal cultural heritage site identified as being at risk from the mine impacts, 102 will be completely destroyed in the open cut area. Some of these are of of high local or regional significance. European heritage will also be destroyed in the open cut area, including the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings. Also, as mentioned above, Tarwyn Park, an important part of the area's recent agricultural history will be lost. The loss of these cultural sites will cause social distress in both the Aboriginal and the non-Aboriginal communities.

(iii) 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. As well as this, three entirely new plant species were recorded. Nationally endangered animal species recorded in the area include the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, New Holland Mouse, Regent Honeyeater and Spotted-tailed Quoll.

(iv) The Bylong Valley and the Bylong Valley way is of great scenic beauty. It is recognised as being one of NSW's top 10 drives, and motorists driving the road give an economic boost to the small towns along the way and at either end of the road when they stop for food, petrol, or sightseeing. The proposed mine will destroy a large part of this scenic value. The open cut part of the mine is proposed to be directly adjacent to the Bylong Valley way on both sides, and the underground section of the mine has the potential to cause collapse of the rock escarpments that can be viewed from the road.

(v) Impacts on groundwater and surface water will be significant. The highly connected alluvial aquifer system within the Bylong River catchment will have predicted peak losses of up to 295 million litres per year (ML/yr), and the loss of base flows to the Bylong River is predicted to be 918 ML/yr.The amount of available water the mine proposes to use is blatantly excessive - 1,942 ML/yr. This is over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge.

The KEPCO Bylong Coal Project should not be approved. The short-term economic gains are simply not worth the serious long-term consequences that the mine will leave behind.

Yours sincerely,

Josie Burstal

This company supports this submission, and believe it will provide much needed jobs and business opportunities in the area.

I object to the planned Bylong Coal Project on the following grounds:

Fossil fuels are damaging the planet and I fear for the future of my children and grandchildren.

Productive agricultural land should be preserved.

The environment of the Bylong Valley is beautiful and this project will degrade it.

The heritage of the Bylong community should not be desecrated, for example digging up graves is an insult to many long term residents of this and the surrounding districts.

The jobs created by this project are only temporary and will just lead to more dislocation and desolation in years to come when the project runs its (damaging) course.

regards,
Peter Innes

The Belong project will have significant effects on the groundwater and surface water. The alluvial aquifer system is highly connected within the Belong River catchment and loss of base flows is predicted to be 918ml/year. The mine proposes to use up to 1,942ml/year - over 75% of the annual rainfall recharge. The river system is over-allocated and local farmers will lose important water supply.

Having lived in this area and now regularly travelling through it, I wish to make the following statements. The surrounding areas throughout the Byelong Valley are rich agricultural lands and have been since settlement. The encroachment of existing mines render the area infertile for many generations. Adding to the destruction of this area will have a serious impact on the agricultural industries. Preservation of Tarwyn Park is crucial to further study of this agricultural experiment, and this cannot be done if the environment suffers change due to mining. It is my firm belief that mining is a short term industry where agriculture will remain for the generations to come. We cannot jeopardise long term prosperity for short term gain.

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.

7.We also know that we need to keep 90% of our coal in the ground to avoid catastrophic climate change, the last thing we need to be doing is opening up new coal mines.

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.

As a professional mining engineer and concerned resident of NSW, I am writing to you in strong support of the Bylong Coal Project.

I have a good understanding of the geology and economics of the Bylong Valley thermal coal deposit and it warrants development to continue to meet the demand for high quality thermal in Korea and south east Asia. Kepco has invested wisely and generously in the Bylong Valley to develop this state owned asset and has committed to developing the operation in accordance with the strict environmental controls in place in NSW.

For the state of NSW to continue to grow and develop infrastructure there is a need for governments to promote and nurture industries which generate significant revenue streams for government and provide employment opportunities for its peoples. The Hunter Valley coal industry has done this admirably for decades and hopefully will be allowed to continue to do so in the adjacent Bylong Valley with product coal hauled to the Port of Newcastle along the existing railway line.

I am a long term Singleton resident and a father of 3 and am gravely concerned that the employment prospects I enjoyed as a young engineer will become non existent due to the current planning approval process.

I urge you to examine and weigh up the strong economic and community benefits of the project and ensure that controls are in place to safeguard the environment. This can be achieved through an appropriate assessment report that will support a Project Approval by the Minister for Planning or their delegate for the Bylong Coal Project

Please do not allow mining in the Bylong Valley. It is an area of high natural beauty and significant agricultural value. These will both be irretrievably lost for short-term non-renewal gain.

Please keep this village in its pristine form.
Please do not allow coal mining in this town region.

I am an early childhood educator. Part of our early childhood curriculum is to teach sustainable practices, to reduce our ecological footprint and encourage younger generations to care for our world. However, the damage that is done through the process of mining is somewhat irreversible. The fossil fuels which we mine are created over hundreds of millions of years and yet, we destroy them within a matter of minutes - not the mention the damage we do in the process to the land from which they are derived.
Coal may be a major export from Australia, but so is our food. This prime agricultural land will be destroyed and forever changed through the process of mining. If we take away the land, where do you expect we will produce the quality food which is also a major export? In addition to this, the surrounding farm land which is already affected by drought will be increasingly effected by the lack of water as the mining process sucks the land dry, releasing toxic chemicals into the land, water supply and air. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we are destroying the atmosphere, killing the land and animals and in essence, destroying ourselves and the future of humanity as individuals (such as those supporting the mines) continue to make conscious choices and educated decisions with a focus on money, rather than the well-being of the future.

I wish to object to the current proposal of coal mining in the highly fertile bylong valley. When 75% of rainfall recharge water to the river system is used by one company local farmers will lose crucial water supply.
The accumulative affects of yet another mine in the region have not been addressed.
There is no assessment of increased traffic through Wollar or on the Mudgee to Wollar rd.
Increased train movements will not only add to the pollution in Wollar but all the way to port as they wait in loops and add to the train jam spewing diesel fumes. Yet more maintenance of rail will see more 24hr machinery along the line and roads.
The social impacts and loss of services in both Wollar and Bylong are already devasting. This proposal will take that to another level, including totally stranded assets.

The Bylong Valley drive is one of the most beautiful in the country, I'm proud to bring overseas visitors to it and it would be a shame to lose it. It is bad enough around Warkworth, but to extend it to an area of such beauty is very disappointing.

I object to the proposed Bylong Coal Project (SSD 14_6367) by Korean power company Kepco.
To allow this foreign owned company to proceed with this project is ludicrous.
It will destroy 2,875ha of prime agricultural land including Tarwyn Park, a successful natural sequence farm and 700ha of Critical Equine Industry Cluster.
By allowing this mine to use 75% of the annual rainfall will cause local farmers to lose water supply from an already stressed catchment.
The risk of losing another 144 Aboriginal culturally significant sites will add to the desiccation which has already occurred on many other mine sites and shows a lack of respect for the Aboriginal Community.
Proposed off-sets will in no way mitigate the effects on endangered flora and fauna.
The effects on historical European heritage in the Bylong area would be disastrous and unacceptable.
The once beautiful Hunter Valley has been destroyed by open-cut coal mining. Don't sacrifice another pristine valley for foreign profit.
This project must not be approved.

I write this submission in support of the Bylong Coal Project, yes while I understand there are environmental issues to be dealt with, and I am sure that the company will adhere to all or any conditions placed on them, the approval and go ahead of this project is vital to keep this area alive. Kandos and Rylstone, especially Kandos are two small towns doing it very tough at the moment following the closure of Cement Australia's Kandos Plant in 2011, the closure of Charbon underground mine and washery, and very recently the closure and liquidation of Big Rim open cut coal mine leaving its employees with virtually nothing, the job losses from all of the above have had a huge impact on the town, and have a huge flow on effect with families leaving the area, taking children from schools, then hence schools cut staff, vital services cut staff, local businesses suffer, from everything from the sale of newspapers and magazines, to food and fuel. A project like this might give a glimmer of hope to the survival of Kandos, and some encouragement to keep the next generation of workers (students leaving yrs 11 & 12) that there may be a job for them locally, and not have to leave the area and leave families, but not only these young people, but maybe provide some employment for those who have just lost jobs. While we realise that if approved, jobs etc won't happen overnight, at least it might encourage people to stay in the area and put some positive light back in the towns.
I am sure there are plenty of objectors to this project, but are they the ones suffering from recent jobs lost, small business trying to keep their head above water, families trying to stay in town and support it where they can, are they going to provide jobs for the next generation of young people looking for work, I'm guessing not. This mine isn't even in operation yet, but already they provide community funding and donations to local charities and projects.
I could keep writing forever, but the main aim of my submission, is of support for this mine and hope that approval can be granted and some spirit put back into the local area.

Thank you, and look forward to hopefully reading, hearing about this mine's approval in the near future.

I request please, that my name and address details are withheld from publication.

At what point will this need for greed cease? Lining the pockets of already sickeningly wealthy organisations at the cost of our environment disgusts me beyond belief. It's about time you STOPPED MINING & DESTROYING OUR LANDS before it's too late to save our precious environment. Here's a thought...try making money without raping our land!!!!

I regularly drive through the Bylong Valley on my way from Armidale to Bathurst. I am each time awestruck by its natural beauty, it's rich farmlands bordered by rock walls. The thought of driving through a coal mine instead is deeply distressing. I am dumbstruck by this proposal to destroy such profoundly stunning country, and completely baffled by the shortsighted goals behind the approval of the coal mine.