Cobbora Coal Mine

Dear Premier O'Farrell,

I strongly object to the development of this coal mine at tax payers' expense, or any expense. We must move to renewable clean energy as fast as possible. Short sighted decisions will result in great suffering for our children and their children.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Newman
84 Glen Rd.,
Ourimbah. 2258
ph 43 621 660
[email protected]

Scotts Head Protection Group
PO Box 400 Macksville NSW 2447
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Cobbora Coal Project - Preferred Project Report
Application No: 10-0001



Dear Sir,

The SHPG wishes to object to this proposal.



The Cobbora coal mine, if developed, will cost taxpayers more than $3 billion, destroy nearly two thousand hectares of wildlife habitat, and provide half-priced coal to our state's polluting power stations for more than 20 years.
This type of power generation technology is old.
The justification for the mine is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand for coal-fired power has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal.

Development of mines such as these destroy our environment for future generations.

Please do not approve this mine.



Yours sincerely

Moira Ryan
Secretary

To whom it may concern,
The points below outline my objection to the proposed Cobbora Coal Mine

1. NSW needs investment in renewable energy, not coal mines

In its preferred project report Cobbora Holding Company says: "Electricity can be generated by renewable means, such as solar, wind and biomass, but only in relatively small quantities due to the very low energy intensity of these sources. Electricity generation using renewables is not yet able to meet the reliability or cost society demands for electricity and will not be able to in the immediate future."

Contrary to what Cobbora Coal Company argues, transitioning to a secure renewable energy supply is possible and affordable. Over $11 billion worth of investment in wind energy alone is in the pipeline, waiting for the green light from the O'Farrell government. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation set up by the Federal Government has $5 billion set aside for investment in renewable energy projects. By locking NSW into a coal-fired future, this project will destroy renewable energy investment opportunities that would attract new capital and jobs into the state. Well-to-wheel, renewable energy provides more job opportunities than non-renewable energy. Now is the time to drop the hostility to renewable energy and work with industry and community groups to increase the renewable energy capacity of NSW. Increasing renewable energy capacity will make investment in new coal mines like Cobbora unnecessary.

In addition, many developed nations such as Germany are making significant inroads tonto the renewable market, with up to 20% of their base load coming from solar power alone.

2. Coal is an economic dead-end
The Cobbora coal mine was originally designed to provide cheap coal to state owned electricity generators. In effect, taxpayers were locked into a deal to provide 5.5 million tonne of coal per annum (mtpa) for 17 years at a heavily subsidised price. The risks associated with developing and operating the mine are to be borne by the public, while the gentraders who own the right to trade the electricity from the power stations are set to enjoy a locked in, below-market cost coal stream for almost 2 decades.

Forecasts for total state costs and risks associated with developing Cobbora Coal mine have been placed as high as $3.4 billion, while the NSW Treasurer has admitted to a cost impact of at least $1.5 billion.

The project will impose long term economic and environmental costs on NSW and fails to pass the cost benefit test. State investment in energy infrastructure should be directed towards encouraging the development of renewable energy projects, not new coal mines to prop up the coal fired electricity industry.

3. Environmental impacts are unacceptable
NSW is the biggest carbon emitter in Australia with power stations that are amongst the most polluting and inefficient in the world. Proceeding with Cobbora coal mine will provide these power stations with a cheap source of coal for decades to come. It is estimated that coal burnt from Cobbora will contribute over 29 million tonnes of carbon to NSW's annual carbon footprint. 37% of Australia's carbon foot print comes from coal combustion alone.

The environmental, social and economic costs of coal are unacceptable. With the worst impacts of climate change rapidly approaching, the time to transform NSW's energy sector is now.

5. Other issues
* The PPR propoposes increasing water demand for mining operations 3,700 ML per year up to 4,340 ML per year. The use of water from the Cudgegong River will threaten the water security of the wine and tourism industries in the Mudgee region.

* The project will require the clearing of 1,867 ha woodland habitat which will compromise the survival of a large number of endangered animals and vulnerable plants. The PPR will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities. The ecological footprint of the mine is too high and cannot be adequately offset. The PPR does not identify a final offset package because this is not achievable.

* The increased height of over burden emplacements by 20m will increase dust emissions. The air quality model needs to be redone using all available meteorological information.

* The proposal to implement the draft `Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy' will disadvantage local residents affected by increased noise from the proposed rail loop.

* The issue of train length on the Ulan line has not been addressed as identified in the ARTC 2012 - 2020 Rail Corridor Capacity Strategy.

* The increased influx of highly paid mine workers will cause development issues in surrounding communities, driving up land/house prices, creating a 2-speed economy.

* Coal mining has been shown to be a dangerous industry with many fatal accidents globally that destroy local communities and cause the mine to be permanently non-functioning.

As a scientist I am appalled that my state government would be investing billions of dollars to coal mining. This money should be invested into new clean technologies, which would provide new jobs to my fellow country men and women. The proposed site would destroy thousands of hectares which is a wildlife habitat to many native species.
The justification for the mine is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand for coal-fired power has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal.
Yours sincerely
Rosemary Kingsford

RE: Cobbora Open Cut Project


Major Planning Assessments
Department of Planning and Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a resident of Lake Macquarie and am familair with minig impacts on my aoir quality and waqter and biodiversity. I have been an environmental consulatnt foe 20 years and am a member of teh Ecological Society of Australia, the Australian Mammal Society and the NSW Ecological Consultants Association. I have considerable experience in undertaking ecological assessments, in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including GDEs and have worked on major mining and gas extraction projects in NSW.
I have previously written a submission on this project and I welcome the opportunity to comment on the propsed changes. I maintain my strong objection to this project, the proposed changes have done nothing to minimise the potential impacts, in fact will exacerbate them. I believe there are over-riding economic and environmental grounds as to why this prpject should not proceed. In fact I believe this project will be a travesty for the citizens and environment of NSW, which will lock low-quality coal production in for another 30 years when its now that we should be transitioning to renewable energy sources. Please find details of my objection below:
1. The economic assessment of the project and response to submissions has not adequately addressed the cost of a state-owned coal mine to the taxpayers of NSW. $3.4 B is a large sum to invest in dirty energy when such an investment in renewables IS ACHIEVABLE AND MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE. All the best science has already inidcated thatthis summer is the hottest with it being the driest in several states. Th eclimate systme has shifted and all inidcations it will continue to do so. Action required to reduce carbon pollution emissins this decade, not in 40 years time. I hope the NSW Government has the same sort of money to fund adverse judgements as a result of class actions, as this is coming.

2. The project cannot guarantee a `reliable, secure and economically stable domestic coal supply (to) NSW generators' nor can it guarantee `affordable electricity in NSW' given the volatility of the coal market, there is no sure market price for coal in next few years, let alonbe over the next few decades. This prediction ignores the impact of carbon emission schemes and the increasing competativenes of renewable energy.
3. The justification for the mine is based on contracts negotiated by the ALP Govt as part of the Gentrader deal. These could be filled through other arrangements.
4. The PPR does not justify the increase in water demand for mining operations from the previous prediction of 3,700 ML per year up to 4,340 ML per year. The original amount is most likley to be unsustainable for environmenatl flows in the Talbregar/Cudgegong river systems. How could an increase be justified? Water will adversley affect surfeace and groundwater systems wher significant drawdown is expected for decades. Given the likelihood of drought conditions during this time, this is liklley to amount to a significant impact on the resilience and survial of natiural ecisystemns boith terrestrail and groundwater. There has been no adequate GDE assessment for this project, no analysis of the stygofauna or other GDE components. The increased pump rate from the Cudgegong River and access to higher natural flows has not been adequately assessed. Nor has the impact of the hyper-saline lake that will will remain after the project has finished, leaching salt into already saline river systems. This impact plus the reduction of environmental flows, plus the drawdown of our hydrological systems at a time when drought is likely , will lead to widescale collapse of ecological systems, and a destruction of the agricultural systems that depend on them.

5. The PPR will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities. With no details of the offset proposals apart from envisaged acerage and vewgetation commnities in these areas there is no way to assess the adequacy of this proposal. As it stands, it is unlikely to meet accpeted standards of "like for like" as far as condition is concerned. To use cleared areas to offset remant vegetation is not supported by science. Ther has been no precedent to support the notion that a grassland will support displaced wildlife in the short or even medium term. Studies show that there are no hollow box trees in the dry woodlands of teh western skopes that are younger than 220 years (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2000). Many species that will be displaced depened on these old growth elements and their displacement in reality will lead to their local extinction. There is a population of the threatened plant Tylophora linearis that wil be wiped out (of which there are only eight known populations), and a number of threatened plant species that will suffer significant losses to their extent. The offsets proposed to do not account for these losses to our biodiversity.
6. The increased height of over burden emplacements by 20m will increase dust emissions. The air quality model needs to be redone using all available meteorological information. There has been no assessment on the health of residents in the area. This is a quite shameful ommission.
7. The proposal to implement the draft `Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy' will disadvantage local residents affected by increased noise from the proposed rail loop.

8. The issue of train length on the Ulan line has not been addressed as identified in the ARTC 2012 - 2020 Rail Corridor Capacity Strategy.
Yours sincerely,

David Paull
6 Somers Close
Tingira Heights, NSW 2290
0438795289

Dear sir/madam, please take note of my strongest possible objection to the Cobbora coal mine proposal which I define as inappropriate for a number of reasons.

Firstly the environmental destruction which is inevitable from such projects. Since European colonisation of this land, far too much forest has been irreversibly destroyed. Forests are an invaluable and irreplaceable carbon sink and their preservation is a vital part of the necessary strategy to deal with climate change, a reality which all but the most narrow-minded self-interested bigots now accept.

Secondly, that it is a coal project, which is obviously very much a part of the causation of climate change. Any projects in this industry are absolutely inappropriate.

Thirdly it is high time we acknowledged the limitations inherent in unbridled corporate capitalism and stopped pandering to this belief system which simply does not reasonably share the earth's resources among all the people contributing their labour to the generation of wealth. It is shamefully concentrating wealth and power into the hands of a greedy and arrogant minority at the expense of all other beings, human and others. Do not think you should defend capitalism as the most efficient system of economic management on my account. It is merely the most aggressive, and will destroy us all. Like a petulant child it needs clear limits.

Fourthly it is not as if there are not many other projects which should receive taxpayer support and here I draw your attention to those of the truly sustainable renewable energy industry which are already economically viable and offer our only hope to provide future generations with a liveable planet. The mean-spirited detractors of the renewable industry who use economic models to pronounce the industry as unworthy of investment are not speaking with the common good in mind but are merely clinging to their own lifestyles of excess, unable to face reality. They are not leaders, they are parasites. Renewable energy is economically viable already. It merely needs a level playing field, where currently fossil fuels are heavily favoured.

Yours emphatically and sincerely

Peter Kuestler M.B.B.S.

To All governments,

Australia belongs to Australians, their children and grandchildren, I as one of these Australians do not give you permission to decide to ruin our country and our environment by coal mining ANYWHERE.

Where are YOU or the rest of hard working Australians going to live and work to provide for ourselves and our families when there is nothing here to live off due to irresponsible decisions made by our governments for these distructive developments.

I am literally frightened for our future, It's on YOUR shoulders. For God's sake make the right decision.

Mary Rogers.

Major Planning Assessments,
Department of Planning and Infrastructure

Dear Sir,

The Cobbora coal mine, if built, will result in serious environmental impacts, including the destruction of more than 1,850 hectares of woodlands, loss of agricultural land and damage to groundwater resources. It will also contribute substantially to green-house gas production in an age where minimisation of green-house gases is dire. The spending of $3bn is a preposterous mis-use of public monies and who can tell what the cost of remediation from this excessive green-house gas production will be.
Key points of objection to Preferred Project Report (PPR):

The economic assessment of the project and response to submissions has not adequately addressed the cost of a state-owned coal mine to the taxpayers of NSW.


The project cannot guarantee a `reliable, secure and economically stable domestic coal supply (to) NSW generators' nor can it guarantee `affordable electricity in NSW.'

The justification for the mine is based on contracts negotiated by the ALP Govt as part of the Gentrader deal. These could be filled through other arrangements.

The PPR does not justify the increase in water demand for mining operations from the previous prediction of 3,700 ML per year up to 4,340 ML per year.

The increased pump rate from the Cudgegong River and access to higher natural flows has not been adequately assessed.

The PPR will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities.

The ecological footprint of the mine is too high and cannot be adequately offset. The PPR does not identify a final offset package because this is not achievable.

The increased height of over burden emplacements by 20m will increase dust emissions. The air quality model needs to be redone using all available meteorological information.

The proposal to implement the draft `Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy' will disadvantage local residents affected by increased noise from the proposed rail loop.

The issue of train length on the Ulan line has not been addressed as identified in the ARTC 2012 - 2020 Rail Corridor Capacity Strategy.

Yours sincerely,
Graeme Batterbury
91 Robb Road,
Lillian Rock NSW 2480


ph: +61 (0)2 6689 7098
m: +61 (0)413 613 690
e: [email protected]

15 Bimbae Close

Dudley 2290

4th March 2013

Submission; Objection to Cobbora coal project

Dear Sir,

I understand the proposed coal mine at Cobbora near Dubbo is to be government subsidised, some suggesting that this benefit may be has high as $3b. I would therefore request that you not only abandon plans for the mine but also the plan for coal fired power stations. I make this request on the following grounds ;

The recently released Climate Commission report which finds a clear link between global climate change and extreme weather events in Australia. There should be no doubt this change is occurring and that it is directly linked to the green house gases produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. Storm damage in Queensland has cost that government $6b in just 2 years, we cannot afford to build these power stations when there are cleaner alternatives.

climatecommission.gov.au/report/the-angry-summer

Recently the finance group Bloomburg announced that wind power was now cheaper than coal fired power . The science of green energy is rapidly improving whereas thermal power is limited by laws of thermodynamics, it cannot get any more efficient and will suffer drastic power loss as cooling systems falter in hot weather. http://www.cnet.com.au/renewable-power-now-cheaper-than-coal-gas-339343246.htm

Emissions from coal power stations are dangerous to the health. P2.5s are especially harmful and we should not contemplate allowing even more into the atmosphere.



There is an ongoing corruption case against members of the previous government, directly related to coal leases and a suspicion that this has extended even further. It is highly improper to continue with negotiations on long term contracts with mining companies until the full extent of the criminal activities is revealed.

Yours faithfully,

Don Owers

Dear Madam/Sir,

How many more record breaking weather events does it take before you realize that we CANNOT continue to dig up coal to have it burned. Whether it is burned here or in China or in India - that doesn't matter. IT IS ALWAYS ON OUR OWN PLANET.

It may not be in your own backyard. But - PLEASE -open your eyes to see the big, the global picture !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOME COMPANIES WANT TO MAKE A PROFIT - AT OUR EXPENSE.

And I didn't even start to mention the negative environmental impacts for NSW or the health problems which are going to be caused by tones and tones of fine black coal dust. We only have to look at Newcastle and the latest report of its air pollution.

Or all the other major downsides of coal mining.

JUST STOP IT.

IT IS AN APPALLING PROPOSAL.

Everybody will be better off without it in the long run.

And that is what counts - THE LONG RUN = OUR FUTURE.


Regards

Birgit Graefner

I strongly object to this mine because of the damage that it will cause to the environment by the release of millions of tonnes of CO2, the use of thousands of megalitres of water and the destruction of hundreds of hectares of land. How can we contemplate such a taxpayer funded project when we need to move away from coal towards renewable energy.

Dear Premier and Ministers,

The Cobbora coal mine, if built, will cost taxpayers more than $3 billion, destroy nearly two thousand hectares of wildlife habitat, and provide half-priced coal to our state's polluting power stations for more than 20 years.

The justification for the mine is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand for coal-fired power has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal.

The Cobbora coal mine, proposed for east of Dubbo, would provide heavily subsidised coal to six large coal-fired power stations, lock in decades of carbon pollution, and delay investment in clean, renewable energy. I do not want my tax dollars wasted on this project. I would urge you to look at other options which are much more environmentally friendly for our planet.

Last month, the O'Farrell Government took a positive step and voted to prohibit new coal seam gas activities within two kilometres of residential areas and sensitive rural industries. Thank you for starting to listen to community concerns around the reckless expansion of polluting industries, however that was a first step in a long process of providing safe energy efficiencies.

The Cobbora mine proposal is environmentally destructive and fiscally irresponsible.

The Cobbora coal mine, if built, will result in serious environmental impacts, including the destruction of more than 1,850 hectares of woodlands, loss of agricultural land and damage to groundwater resources.

This ill-conceived proposal puts the narrow interests of coal-fired power generators above the interests of ordinary people and the environment. I urge you to abandon this costly, polluting and destructive proposal.

Thank you,


Kay Pell
Phone: (02) 6772 0169
Mobile: 0432 573 574
[email protected]

I strongly oppose the Cobbora Plan.

This environmentally destructive and financially flawed plan to mine the land west of Dubbo would harm native woodland, agricultural land and groundwater.

Please invest in cleaner less environmentally destructive energy production.



Helen Gardner
2/18 Willow Crescent
RYDE

Re: Cobbora Coal Mine project, Appl No 10-0001

I am strongly opposed to the approval of the above application, based on:

- The enormous cost to the State

- The irreversible loss of a significant area of wildlife habitat involved

I believe that we will see progressive decline in use of coal both here and overseas in the next decade, and it seems to be reckless to proceed in the light of these considerations,

Yours sincerely,



Catherine WC Davis

12 Watson Street

Bellingen NSW 2454

02 66559118
[email protected]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Objection to the Cobbora Coal Project - Preferred Project Report
Application No: 10-0001
Dear Sir/madam,
I object to the Cobbora Coal Project on the following grounds:
The Cobbora Coal Project will destroy 1,959 ha of woodland habitat, and will impact on endangered and vulnerable species of plants and animals such as australasian bittern, malleefowl, regent honeyeater, superb parrot, and vulnerable microbat species - southern long-eared bat, large-eared pied bat, and 100% loss of the local population of Tylophora linearis, to name a few.
The project has a very large footprint and will cause major environmental impacts on groundwater and surface water sources and loss of at least 79 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
The coal is a poor quality product with high ash content. The health impacts of using poor quality coal have not been assessed.
The price of black coal on the export market has also dropped below the projections used to justify the need to source cheaper coal for domestic use.
The mine will cost the NSW taxpayer approx $3.4 billion and will be run at a loss.
Coal is a non-renewable resource which, when burnt, adds carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing the global warming effect. Taxpayers' money would be better spent subsidizing renewable energy sources to generate electricity.
Towns and properties along the coal chain will be impacted by additional noise and dust from increased coal train movements.

Yours sincerely,
Leonie Kemp

Dear Sir/Madam,


I am writing this submission to object to the Cobbora Coal project. It would be financially irresponsible, scientifically suspect and wasteful of precious water.


Please, there are better things to do with $3 billion of taxpayer money.


Yours sincerely,


Dave Platter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a resident of Armidale. I welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed project.

Key points of objection to Preferred Project Report (PPR):

1. The economic assessment of the project and response to submissions has not adequately addressed the cost of a state-owned coal mine to the taxpayers of NSW.

2. The project cannot guarantee a `reliable, secure and economically stable domestic coal supply (to) NSW generators' nor can it guarantee `affordable electricity in NSW.'

3. The justification for the mine is based on contracts negotiated by the ALP Govt as part of the Gentrader deal. These could be filled through other arrangements.

4. The PPR does not justify the increase in water demand for mining operations from the previous prediction of 3,700 ML per year up to 4,340 ML per year.

5. The increased pump rate from the Cudgegong River and access to higher natural flows has not been adequately assessed.

6. The PPR will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities.

7. The ecological footprint of the mine is too high and cannot be adequately offset. The PPR does not identify a final offset package because this is not achievable.

8. The increased height of over burden emplacements by 20m will increase dust emissions. The air quality model needs to be redone using all available meteorological information.

9. The proposal to implement the draft `Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy' will disadvantage local residents affected by increased noise from the proposed rail loop.

10. The issue of train length on the Ulan line has not been addressed as identified in the ARTC 2012 - 2020 Rail Corridor Capacity Strategy.


Background:

Cobbora Coal project is proposed in central west NSW north-west of Mudgee and east of Dubbo.

It is a state-owned coal mining project tied to the sale of the power stations. It will lock NSW into coal-fired electricity generation until at least 2036.

The proposal is to mine 20mtpa (million tonnes per annum) to produce 12mtpa of usable coal - it is extremely poor quality product with high ash content. The project aims to provide cheap domestic coal to power stations in the Upper Hunter and Central Coast. The health impacts of using poor quality coal have not been assessed.

The justification for the project is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand has dropped significantly since this project was proposed.

The price of black coal on the export market has also dropped below the projections used to justify the need to source cheaper coal for domestic use.

The mine will cost the NSW taxpayer approx $3.4 billion and will be run at a loss. It is a direct subsidy to power generators in NSW. The argument for continued coal-fired electricity in comparison to the long-term benefits of renewable energy sources has not been made. Taxpayer's money would be better invested in renewable energy sources.

The project has a very large footprint and will cause major environmental impacts on woodland habitat as well as groundwater and surface water sources and loss of at least 79 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

The clearing of 1,959ha woodland habitat will impact on species listed for national protection: eg Grassy Box Woodland; endangered and vulnerable plants, including 100% loss of the local population of Tylophora linearis, endangered bird species including australasian bittern, malleefowl, regent honeyeater, superb parrot; and vulnerable microbat species - southern long-eared bat, large-eared pied bat.

The mine will need to use up to 4,340 ML (million litres) of water per year from surface water and groundwater interception. The use of high security licenced water from the Cudgegong River will threaten the water security of the Mudgee region wine and tourism industries. It could also threaten the long -term security of urban water supply from Windamere Dam.

The cost benefit analysis for the project has not taken into account the social disruption; competition for workforce with other industries, particularly the agricultural industry across western NSW; or the costs of major infrastructure upgrades, particularly rail lines, to accommodate additional coal transport.

Towns and properties along the coal chain will be impacted by additional noise and dust from increased coal train movements.

Yours sincerely,


Raymond Mathiesen

Dear Sir or Madam,

I welcome the opportunity to comment on this proposed project. I consider that continuing to develop fossil fuel and fossil fuel burning infrastructure to be reckless and unnecessary. This mine would create pollution locally, causing damage to people's health and property. It will destroy endangered natural amenity and water sources. On a global scale it will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, when it is national and state policy to reduce these emissions.

The state funds that are proposed to build this mine should be directed towards building a renewable energy project, such as a solar thermal power plant, with thermal storage, which will have an extremely long life span and use an energy source that is freely available without mining. Renewable energy projects can create new, permanent jobs that do minimal harm to local environments and human populations and do not exacerbate climate change.

Yours sincerely,


Richard Stanford.

Dear Minister,

The Cobbora coal mine, proposed for east of Dubbo, would provide heavily subsidised coal to six large coal fired power stations, locking in decades of carbon pollution, and delaying investment in clean, renewable energy.

This mine, if built, would cost taxpayers more than $3 billion, providing only 300 jobs - surely a similar investment in renewable energy could provide many more jobs.

This mine, if built, would destroy nearly two thousand hectares of wildlife habitat, and pump over 29 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Surely this summer should have been a large enough warning to heed about the effects of climate change, for which CO2 is a major contributing factor.

This mine, if built, would provide half-priced coal to our state's polluting power stations for more than 20 years. Why as tax payers do we need to subsidise pollution?

The justification for the mine is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand for coal-fired power has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal.


The Cobbora mine proposal is environmentally destructive and fiscally irresponsible. I believe that this $3 billion of taxpayers dollars be spent on developing and providing renewable energy.

Sincerely,

Jenny Cottle

Riverview Rd

Oyster Bay 2225

To the responsible person(s) at Planning New South Wales .

Please be advised that I take exception to the proposed Cobbora coal mine . With 60 years of family experience in both
coal mining and agriculture I have seen most plainly that we have disregarded nature , which of course includes ourselves ,
through a preoccupation of growth for wealth with little regard of health .

The benefit to ourselves is the application of funding to clean and renewable energy , food and water .
Not to the propagation of old bad habits which pollute and destroy our fragile environment .

Our wealth is in our health - not destructive dollars .

History shows us that humans have the ability to cause gross destruction - no matter the guise .
It must surely be time to apply different criteria to not only our wellness but more so our survival .

Please consider carefully not just ourselves but our children and their children as well as all other
life forms on which we rely . There are other options .

John Hayes
13/21 Harrison St.
Cremorne .2090
0418 580299