Bylong Coal Mine

I have such beautiful memories with amazing people at a farm in Bylong Valley and to hear that it is in the process of destruction is heart-breaking not only for the people attached to this place, but for Australia. The government should be ashamed. Firstly, 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. This is not acceptable. Furthermore, 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. Importantly, 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. Additionally, 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. These points are only two of the many, many detrimental factors of mining on Bylong Valley. Not only will this destroy the environment, but the memories people made along with it.

I am a Bachelor of Arts Student majoring in Aboriginal Studies and Geography, I writing on behalf of my family to express just how distressed and disapproving we are of KEPCO's mining proposal set to be developed in the scenic and significant area of Bylong Valley.
The first reason that we are utterly against the development of this mine is in regards to the potential destruction of the Catholic Church and disgusting exhumation of graves at this location. This is very distressing to my entire family as we are descendants of three of the people that this company would be disturbing. Hugh Francis and Susan Helena Cecilia Cobrey are my great- great grandparents and my mother's great grandparents, additionally, Gerard Campbell who is placed in an unmarked grave is my Great Uncle and my mother's Uncle. Therefore we are extremely upset that members of our family who worked hard around the area for years and no doubt helped shape the Bylong community and made the land as prosperous as it is today are bound to be mistreated, disrespected and disturbed with no mention of what will happen to their remains. Not only is this distressing due to family connections but if any area of Australian Government was to allow this mine to go ahead what does that say about our country? That we are willing to abandon all morals to allow a foreign country to come in and destroy our land in order for them to make a profit and to support their energy needs and demands. In my opinion in regards to this I do not believe that South Korea would be overly thrilled if people were to go into their country and disturb people who had supposedly been laid to rest in peace. Secondly, in regards to the issue of the cemetery we are incredibly frustrated that not all family members were contacted in regards to this issue and without social media we would have been none the wiser of what was going on until it was too late to do anything or to even show our respects to our past family members.
The second reason that I personally am completely against this mining development is due to cultural grounds. Although my buried descendants at the Catholic Church are Irish, I am also a proud Aboriginal person who is actively involved with my culture. Therefore, I find it completely distressing and heartbreaking to think that myself and other Aboriginal People are continuously losing significant sites and parts of our culture due to ongoing physical destruction of this beautiful country. To me I think it is incredibly ridiculous that in today's world Aboriginal people are still having to experience the destruction of culture and witness their history been disregarded and not been given the importance and protection that it deserves. These sites regardless of whether some people believe them to be important or not have unreplaceable value to Indigenous people, to take these sites away and further disturb the land around them would have ongoing effects on Indigenous people. The destruction of these sites would not only be morally wrong and heartbreaking but it would further be violating the human rights of Indigenous people as without these sites and places of significance the ability to maintain, protect and practice culture would be reduced.







Lastly, it is incredibly infuriating that another food bowl of our country is going to be destroyed or contaminated due to mining development. KEPCO can argue that this mine would not have any effects on the agricultural industry in the area and not effect waterways, however, as residents of the Hunter Valley who are surrounded by coal mines we know that this is a lie. Many farms around this area cannot rely on freshwater supplies due to the run off of coal mines which places further financial difficulties on a lot of agricultural workers who have to cover the costs associated with purchasing water. The concern with this is, is Korea willing to reimburse and support Australian Farmers in the area who already no doubt struggle due to the weather conditions and difficulties or are they happy to turn a blind eye to this? It is more important now than ever to truly protect our farmers who support this country and are facing incredible struggles. Also, it is distressing that this mining development would pose serious threats to the health of wildlife in the area. It is completely wrong that species that cannot protect themselves from human action are going to be compromised in the process and risk becoming further endangered due to the destruction of their habitats.

Therefore, we beg you to please do not allow the approval of this mine. There is too much at stake here in this beautiful place of the world. Natural resources, beauty and cultural significance that exists in Bylong cannot just be replaced or relocated, the destruction of any of this will have severe consequences of the health and livelihood of not only those residing specifically in the Bylong Valley but will also affect every person that for whatever reason big or small has a strong connection with this area of the country. As a country Australia cannot afford to continue to loose prime agricultural land or native species and Aboriginal people definitely cannot afford to have any more culture or history disregarded and ignored than what we already have.

Sincerely,
Kimberley Coward &
Leeanne Campbell

To whom it may concern,
I am opposed to mining in the Bylong Valley.
My grandfather was a lighthorseman and a farmer. He did not die to see our best agricultural land ruined, nor the country on which the beloved waler horse is reared threatened.
I am staggered that in the 21st century, given what we know about global warming, that the NSW government can permit new coal mines. I am also disappointed that a significant area of prime agricultural land will be destroyed: the mine footprint will disturb 2,875 hectares (ha) of land.
Furthermore, as we enter another El Niño, it's hard to believe that the government can permit the valley's groundwater and surface water to be reduced by mining. 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.
Finally, I was saddened to read that the mine will further add to species loss. 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 mine does not make sense. Please do not permit it.
Yours sincerely,
Ray Peck

Don't do it. Don't tear up that beautiful valley for the coal that should be left in the Ground. we need to ween ourselves off of coal the world needs to switch to other ways of making energy.

No more coal mines in Bylong.I totally objdct against this proje t given the impaxts ro groundwater,destruction of arable land, deztduction of aboriginal sacrdf sites as well as tje threat that the project poses to endangered wkldlife.It's time to move on and away from coal.Coal not King.Coal not cool.

Thank you for the opportunity for comments.

I object to the development of this mine. I do not believe that the effects and risks of the mine has been considered appropriately nor can they be ever properly managed.

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.

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.

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.

I hope you can make the decision that is right by the people of NSW.

We should not be allowing any more Coal Mining at all for environmental reasons. It is been proved that Coal burning contributes to the Global Climate Change.
Approval of any new Coal Mining licenses means therefore that Government does not care one iota about stopping Climate Change.
We should not be selling Australia to overseas companies who do not care one iota about our environment or our native animals.
I implore you to reject any proposal for a Coal Mine in the Bylong Valley.

The Bylong Vally is rich in 3 key areas that ought to exclude it from coal mining consideration - biodiversity, agricultural value and heritabe (both Indigenous and Settler).

Apart from this, our country ought to be focused on renewable energy sources rather than continuing to rely on such a dirty and dangerous source that turns beautiful places into wastelands.

I object to the area being destroyed by the proposed operation.

I am of the view that if an analysis of the net present value of the income and value to the state of the agricultural production, clean water, tourism and amenity to the people of nsw in perpetuity was considered against the short term gains of the income to the state from this project, damage and costs associated and the associated losses to future income streams to the state this project would not be recommended.
The medium to long term value of the mineral resource must also be considered in the light of recent trends in the market price of the resource and making the reasonable assumption that recent trends in the resource price will indicate the future trend in the short to medium term at least. With this in mind the case in favour of the project is further weakened.

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 in 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.

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. The Ulan and other mines in the area already affect our lives, we hear the mine some days we see the light pollution on many nights, as well as the stink from time to time. Which we previously never had, I see many dead animals due increased traffic and the fact that the mines are pushing the native animals to move out of the area. To add there has been a reduction in local employment due to the mines closing most, if not all the farms in the area as well as most of the residents have moved away due to the mining.

You cannot be seriously considering to devastate this area with yet another mine - for some international company's profit.

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.

To allow a mine here is absolute madness - where do you think we will get food from when all the farming land is destroyed???

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.

Australians are fed up with short sighted corrupt polticians who are destroying the planet and the living things on it.. including us humans!

This project is essential for the on growing growth to the district keeping people in town and attracting people to the region . Visitation to accommodation providers boosts employment as well as injecting capital in the local economy .

We need to STOP COAL MINING our irreplacable natural environment.Look at climate change ,the rest of the world considers it is real and we need to change our current activies.Our agricultural land and water are very precious and VITAL FOR OUR FUTURE..We should not destroy sustainable industries for short term questionable financial gain.

6 November, 2015
NSW Department of Planning

Submission opposing KEPCO Bylong Coal Project

Dear Department of Planning,

As public health professionals, acutely aware of the impact of mining related activities on the health of local communities, we oppose the coal mining project proposed for Bylong Valley, NSW.

The farming sector faces considerable challenges from the vagaries of weather, water scarcity, market cycles, rural isolation, and access to capital and labour.

Drought adds another layer of strain; evidence shows increased psychological stress among rural dwellers (Obrien, et al 2014), as well as increased risk of suicide among farmers and farm workers during drought periods (Hanagan, et al 2012; see also McPhedran, 2012; Vins, et al, 2015).

Global warming, in part caused by burning coal, will exacerbate the pernicious effects of weather extremes.

The industrialisation of rural farming locations by the coal-mining industry multiplies existing challenges, when farmers face an imposed and adverse transformation of productive landscapes.

The distress caused by one's loss of cherished environmental surroundings, and anxieties over damage to natural resources, especially water, is palpable. This occurs in particular when one has been charged with the stewardship of productive land through family tenancy over generations, and when individual landholders face the combined weight of industry and government in legal conflicts over land use, such as that brought about by the proposed KEPCO Bylong Coal Project.

Research in the Hunter (Albrecht, et al, 2007; Connor, et al, 2004; Higginbotham, et al, 2006), and extended by others elsewhere (Cordial, et al, 2012), demonstrates that rural people who draw their identity from living in and caring for a particular place, such as the Bylong Valley, suffer a profound sense of loss when the loved and familiar place becomes an industrial landscape of resource extraction. It is experienced as an attack on one's sense of identity and security of belonging to a place.

Solastalgia is the loss of solace a person derives from their connection to a treasured place. Witnessing the degradation of one's landscape while residing within it, and feeling powerless to stop negative change, produce the greatest distress for individuals and families (Connor, et al, 2004; see also Eisenman, 2015).

It is tragic that those who have the deepest affection and attachment to their place, and are most committed to protecting its values for the benefits of future generations, are at greatest risk of profound distress when landscapes are harmed by open cut and underground coal mining.

A couple of weeks ago, the nation learned of the suicide of a famer who had been fighting to stop the forced intrusion of coal seam gas extraction activities on a property that he had nurtured over the years and upon which he had produced award-winning crops. George Bender's family write that he died of a "broken heart, at witnessing first hand the tragedy unfolding around him" regarding his beloved land.

There are farming families just like the Benders in the Bylong Valley district, who are carrying an unbearable weight: striving to fulfil responsibility to care for their land by opposing irreversible harms brought on by the coal mining industrialisation of farmland.

We urge the Department of Planning to seriously consider the social, physical and mental health impact of the proposed Bylong Coal Project. It is government's responsibility to reduce the risk of community distress and potential harm brought on by massive landscape transformation, and mining degradation, leading to the loss of rural farming productivity.

In more specific terms, We note that the Bylong Valley has considerable heritage significance for both Indigenous and European settlers. Specifically, there were 239 Aboriginal sites 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). It is not acceptable that 144 sites have been identified at risk from mine impacts with 102 within the open cut area.

European heritage of importance includes the Catholic Church Cemetery, Upper Bylong Public School and a number of historic homesteads and farm buildings. Again, it is not acceptable to the community that these heritage sites will be destroyed in the open-cut. It should also be recognised by Planning, that the process of buying out farms, and dividing the community in this process, has already led to adverse social impacts on the Bylong district.

The public health science community recognises that global warming is the most significant threat to population health faced by our planet (Watts, et al, 2015). Burning coal is one of the greatest single contributor to global warming through CO2 emissions, which are now estimated to have a social cost of $200 per tonne (Moore & Diaz, 2015). Nowhere in the Bylong Project EIS documents is there recognition of this $3.12 billion cost to society of mining and burning 6.5 million tonnes of coal annually (each tonne of coal burned produces 2.4t CO2e).

Such `externalities' should be an integral part of estimating the cost of coal mining projects, and be given due consideration by Planning. Yet, they are ignored, along with their adverse social, health and environmental consequences.

Sincerely yours,
Newcastle Public Health Professionals,
Nick Higginbotham, PhD
Ben Ewald, BMED, PhD
Abul Hasnat Milton, MBBS, M.Sc (Epidemiology), PhD
Mark McEvoy, MMedSci (Clinical Epidemiology), PhD

References
Albrecht, G., Sartore, G., Connor, L., Higginbotham, N. et al. (2007). Solastalgia: The distress caused by environmental change. Australasian Psychiatry, 15, Suppl 1(1): S95-S98.

Connor L, Albrecht G, Higginbotham N, Freeman S, Smith W (2004). Environmental change and human health in Upper Hunter communities of New South Wales. EcoHealth, 1 (Suppl. 2):47-58

Cordial, P., Riding-Malon, R., & Lips, H. (2012). The effect of mountaintop removal coal mining on mental health, well-being, and community health in central Appalachia. Ecopsychology, 4, 201-208. doi: 10.1089/eco.2012.0032

Eisenman, D., McCaffery, S., Donatello, I., Marshal, G. (2015). An ecosystem and vulnerable populations perspective on solastalgian and psycholigcal distress after a wildfire. EcoHealth, DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1052-1, published online 25 August 2015.

Hanigan, I.C., et al (2012). Suicide and drought in New South Wales, Australia, 1970-2007. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, 109: 35, 13950-13955, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1112965109
http://www.pnas.org/content/109/35/13950

Higginbotham N., Connor L., Albrecht G., Freeman S., Agho, K. (2006). Validation of an environmental distress scale. EcoHealth, DOI:10.1007/s10393-006-0069-x

Moore, F.C., Diaz, D.B. (2015). Temperature impacts on economic growth warrant stringent mitigation policy. Nature Climate Change 5, 127-131 (2015) doi:10.1038/nclimate2481

Obrien, L.V. Berry, H.L. Coleman, C., Hanigan I.C. (2014). Drought as a mental health exposure. Enviromental Research. 131, 181-187.

McPhedran, S. (2012). More to farmer suicides than mental health.
http://app.griffith.edu.au/news/2012/09/06/more-to-farmer-suicides-than-mental-health/

Vins, H., Bell, J. Saha, S., Hess, J.J. (2015). The Mental Health Outcomes of Drought: A Systematic Review and Causal Process Diagram. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 12(10), 13251-13275.

Watts N., et al. (2015). Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet, 386: 10006, 1861-1914, 7 Nov, 2015.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60854-6/abstract

Yaama,

The Coombadri Ecclesia Society is a non incorporated Religious body.

The Bylong Valley is a Holy Land.

It is noted as per Bylong Coal Project EIS that:
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 ,102 are within the Project Disturbance Boundary..

The Coombadri Ecclesia Society has both Assessed & Determined that the said "culture & heritage sites" are of not only of Religious ,Eccleslial & Spiritual Significance but are Places of Worship.

The KEPCO Bylong Coal Project is a proposal for desecration.

Therefore the Coombadri Ecclesia Society openly Objects to all aspects of KEPCO's plans to mine the Bylong Valley including but not limited to the Bylong Coal Project as outlined in its Application and "Environmental Impact Statement".

The Coombadri Ecclesia Society Denies Consent to the Minister of Planning Mr. Rob Stokes to grant approval or consent ,conditional or otherwise to KEPCO for their proposed Bylong Coal Project within the Bylong Valley whatsoever.

I offer these words in the spirit of honour so that the Minister may prevent bringing harm and liability upon himself and his office, for the granting of such approval and consent to the KEPCO Bylong Coal Project is in fact a direct contravention of the
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTION ACT-sect 116 .

Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion
The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.


Yanaay
G. Gabitja

The project will have totally unacceptable impact on valuable agricultural land.

The project will have unacceptable impacts on ground water and the water table in adjoining areas

The project will have a totally unacceptable impact on biodiversity.

The project will create additional dust and pollution, not just in the Bylong Valley but in the whole coal transport chain.

The project is only for the advantage for an overseas power company.

The project is likely to become a stranded asset due to the increase in renewable energy generation, but the damage will already have been done to the agriculture and environmental values of the site.

I'm writing a submission on the KEPCO Bylong Coal Project because I think it's important that the State Government hears from a member of the Bylong community and landholder that is in support of the mine proposal. I am concerned that the many individual views present in the Bylong community have been hijacked by a group with loud voices who pretend to speak for us all.

They do not.

While relatively new to the Bylong community, I have made this place a home for me and my family. We support the Hall Committee, Rural Fire Brigade, and are active and social members of the community.

It was the exploration project that bought me to the area in the first place and the prospect of living in a beautiful rural area in jobs within the mining industry is what prompted me to buy a place here.

I come from a farming background so I understand the need to ensure the protection of good quality farmland and water supply. But having worked in mining and rehabilitation of mine sites for some years now, I think I have a good understanding of how mining and agriculture can work together.

I have personally seen KEPCO's commitment to making rehabilitation work on the exploration project, as I was a key member of the team that undertook the drill site rehabilitation works. And I am very proud of the work that I did. And I believe that if done right, KEPCO's Bylong Project will set new rehabilitation benchmarks for mining projects in NSW.

Speak to any of the locals who've been here for years, and they will tell you that the dynamics of the valley always has, and always will change. People come and go, agricultural holdings get bigger as they buy neighbouring properties, railway works take place, and coal exploration occurs. They will tell you stories of the dwindling population that began before KEPCO started their exploration work.

I think that the proposed mine will bring about a new phase of this cycle seen in many rural communities (even those without the prospect of exploration and mining). There will be workers with families who choose to live in Mudgee, and there will be those like mine who prefer a rural setting.

KEPCO's proposal will bring money and jobs to an area that desperately needs a boost.