Cobbora Coal Mine

Re: objection to the Cobbora Coal Project - Preferred Project Report Application No: 10-0001

As a concerned citizen and member of the National Parks Association of NSW Armidale Branch, I wish to submit an objection to the proposed Cobbora Coal Project, presently being reviewed by the Planning Assessment Commission.

I object to the Cobbora Coal Project on the grounds that

1. it is unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible to spend $3 billion building and operating a state-owned coal mine to provide half-priced coal to our state's polluting power stations for more than 20 years.

The PAC should reject the alleged justification for the mine because it is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years, and false claims that failure to supply this cheap coal to the power stations will endanger energy security and cause more price rises for the general consumer. On the contrary, it is known that demand for coal-fired power has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal, and price rises in electricity are known to be mainly due to rules encouraging excessive construction of poles and wires infrastructure.

These so-called justifications are informed more by ideological opposition to the carbon tax than by proper economic analysis, and they fly in the face of the State's alleged commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change.

If the State's finances can find $3billion to subsidise production of cheap coal to prop up existing coal-fired power stations, the Government should instead commit the money towards funding renewable energy such as solar thermal and wind projects, which have been systematically defunded, downplayed and ignored in the life of this Government.

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

2. The social and biodiversity impacts, the water impacts and the economic impacts of the project cannot be justified in terms of cost-benefit ratios and the best interests of the State of NSW, and cannot be ameliorated by the proposed biodiversity offsets

We call on the PAC to objectively assess the merits of the project as a whole, and to recommend that it should not proceed in the best interests of the State of NSW.

Beth Williams, 25 The Avenue, Armidale NSW 2350. Phone 02 6772 4454,
on behalf of Armidale Branch, National Parks Association of NSW, 08/03/2013.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a member of the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales and I am writing to object to the proposed Cobbora Coal Mine.

I object to the coal mine on the following grounds:

1. That it will cost NSW taxpayers approx. $3.4 billions dollars and will be run at a loss. This is not in the interests of taxpayers.

2. This money would be better spent on renewable energy sources.

3. Demand for coal-fired electricity has dropped dramatically since this project was proposed.

4. In these times of climate crisis, the government should be reducing carbon emissions, not locking NSW into coal-fired electricity generation until at least 2036.

5. I object to the clearing of 1,949ha of woodland that is habitat to endangered and vulnerable plants, including 100% loss of the local population of Tylophora linearis, endangered bird species and vulnerable microbat species.

6. The massive amounts of water required for this coal mine will threaten the water security of the Mudgee region.

As a resident of the area I object to the Cobbora coal mine on the following grounds.
If built, this mine will cost taxpayers more than $3 billion, destroy nearly two thousand hectares of wildlife habitat and be responsible for hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime. It will also lock NSW into coal-fired power generation for at least the next 20 years at a time when other electricity generators in Australia and all over the world are moving towards renewables such as wind, solar (photo voltaic and thermal), tidal and geothermal.
As do all open cut mines, Cobbora will have a very large environmental footprint and have a major environmental impact on the woodland habitat of endangered species. It will also impact on ground and surface water in what is already a dry region of NSW and destroy or damage at least 79 Aboriginal heritage sites.
Clearing nearly 2000 hectares of woodland will destroy a listed Endangered Ecological Community, Grassy Box Woodland; and a wide variety of endangered and vulnerable plants. Ecologists predict that clearing of the woodland would result in the 100 percent loss of the local population of Tylophora linearis, endangered bird species including Australasian bittern, malleefowl, regent honeyeater, superb parrot; and vulnerable micro bat species - southern long-eared bat, large-eared pied bat.
Coal mines use a lot of water that could more sustainably used elsewhere - for agriculture for example. It is estimated Cobbora will need to use over 4,000 megalitres of water per year from surface water and groundwater interception. It proposes to do this by using high security licenced water from the Cudgegong River. . The Preferred Project Report has not adequately assessed the impact of the increased pump rate from the Cudgegong; however, it will almost certainly threaten the water security of the Mudgee region wine and tourism industries. These industries are already under pressure from the wine grape glut, the high Australian dollar and general economic uncertainty which has been exacerbated by NSW State Government funding cuts and restructures. Using this amount of water each year could also threaten the long -term security of Mudgee's urban water supply from Windamere Dam.
The cost benefit analysis for the project has not taken into account the social disruption the mine would cause. There are already three large and one smaller mine in the area and as a resident I'm only too familiar with this aspect of coal mine development which has been disregarded by government for too long. People who were born in Mudgee and have lived there all of their lives are being priced out of the housing market due to competition for housing. Competition for workforce with other industries means that getting tradespeople is next to impossible and all varieties of companies such as mechanics, panel beaters and light industries struggle to keep skilled worker. This impacts on residents in terms of higher prices and general lack of availability as well as on the agricultural industry across western NSW. The costs of major infrastructure upgrades, particularly rail lines, to accommodate additional coal transport has not been factored in. Nor has the loss of amenity in towns and properties along the coal chain which will be impacted by additional noise and dust from increased coal train movements.
Not only would this mine be an act of ecological vandalism it would also be economic vandalism. The justification for the mine is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Demand for electricity has dropped significantly since this project was first proposed, as part of the Keneally government's electricity privatisation deal, and as such there is no real need for additional coal supplies. The price of coal has also dropped since then and it would be relatively easy to put a hedging strategy in place to guard against future price spikes.
The mine would also run at a loss due to the high ash content of the coal and the distance the coal would need to be railed. The money would be far better spent on continuing to fund efficiency measures, investing in renewables and providing low/no interest loans to businesses and households willing to invest in reducing their electricity consumption. Government ministers like to deride the Greens and other left-wing parties as Trotskyists yet the vertical integration represented by the development of the Cobbora coal mine would be Stalinist were it not a direct subsidy for recently privatised electricity generators.
Lastly, I would like to raise some specific points of objection to the Preferred Project Report (PPR):
1. The economic assessment of the project and response to submissions does not adequately address the cost of a state-owned coal mine to NSW taxpayers.
2. The project will not achieve its objectives of a `reliable, secure and economically stable domestic coal supply (to) NSW generators' nor can it guarantee `affordable electricity in NSW.'
3. 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.
4. The PPR will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities.
5. 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.
6. Increasing the height of over burden emplacements by 20m will increase dust emissions, however, these calculations have not been redone. The air quality model needs to be redone using all available meteorological information.
7. The proposed `Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy' will disadvantage local residents who will be affected by increased noise from the proposed rail loop.
8. The ARTC 2012 - 2020 Rail Corridor Capacity Strategy identifies issues with train length on the Ulan line. The PPR and the government continues to stick its head in the sand and ignore the problem.

This proposal comes at a time when more and more NSW residents are seeking modern alternatives to fossil fuels. The sad thing is the O'Farrell gov't would prefer to spend $3billion tax payer dollars on subsidising old ideas than spending our money on new technology, new ideas and the future through health and education. Clearing 20000 hectares of wildlife habitat to subsidise fossil fuels that further exacerbate climate change is the plan of a gov't that only listens to old ideas. I'm 72 and I believe in the future and new ideas.

This proposal means that the state government will use tax payer dollars to fund to the mining and then sale of coal to NSW electricity, in direct competition with renewable energy at a time of unprecedented demand for clean renewable energy .This is just a dreadful use of tax payer dollars to directly fund mining and directly fund the clearing of land. This is the decision of a government that obviously hates the natural clean environment and wants to play no part in trying to reduce the impact of climate change on it's citizens.

Major planning assessments

Dept. planning and Infrastructure



Dear Sir /Madam,



Having just read the reason for the proposal of the Cobbora coal mine in its own statement, I am gravely concerned the state government would even be considering this proposal.



It clearly states the reason to build the mine is to provide coal to electricity generators at below market value to keep electricity prices low.

It suggests there is ample coal to provide the generators but not at a price that keeps the generators viable.



Surely this is totally contrary to all free enterprise ideals.



This will cost taxpayers huge sums and coming from a premier who has stated that electricity generation should not cost the taxpayer a single cent.



It is not only hypocritical it is deceitful, and does not allow a level playing field for any other investment in this state.



I sincerely hope you will not proceed with this project as it is totally contrary to liberal party ideals.



Regards



Graeme Fisher

0418 218 583

8 March 2013

Dear Mr O'Donoghue,
Objection
Cobbora Coal Project- Preferred Project Report
Application No: 10_0001.


In my previous submission in November 2012, I commented on the inadequacy of the Environmental Assessment Report as it relates to the Cobbora mine's impact on the water resources of the Mudgee region. At that time Cobbora Mine stated it needed 3,700ML per year for its mining operations.

The Preferred Project Report now states that the mine will need 4,340ML per year, an increase that has not been fully explained in its report. Nor has there been an adequate assessment of the extra pumping from the Cudgegong River, and Cobbora's use of the higher natural flows.

I am also concerned about the increased dust emissions as a result of raising the overburden by 20 metres. The original modelling of the air quality did not use all available weather information, focusing instead on (so-called) the most frequent wind directions, and so presented a very distorted picture.

For these reasons I ask that the Cobbora Coal Preferred Project be refused.

Yours sincerely

Mr Raymond A Wooster
71 Wynella St
Gulgong NSW 2852

SUBMISSION COBBORA COAL PROJECT (CCP) - Due 8th March 2013

The Cudgegong Valley Water Users Committee (CVWC) has attached a report on the CCP changes. Our previous submission was not in favour of the CCP proceeding, the main reason being that there was insufficient information in the EA to allow proper detailed comment.

The CVWC still has the view that the CCP Water proposals are unsustainable and lack detailed explanation on the longer term availability.

Existing water requirements 2311ML plus 900ML will crash the storage system and place undue pressures on ground water availability.

Both the NSW Office of Water and CCP have not been able to provide appropriate modelling and scientific backing to prove that what they claim will work, in fact State Water's Resource Assessment calculations show exactly the opposite ie the system will crash within 10 years given existing Drought On Record conditions.

When it comes to projected water requirements, the CCP has been erratic and fellow stakeholders are totally confused.

The CCP claim State Water support their management of surplus flows from the Cudgegong River. Again there is insufficient information available to prove this. CCP are saying they will take surplus flows when they occur. There is no modelling to support this claim. An example may help - when flood conditions occur CCP will not be able to pump water from the flooding river into an overflowing dam on the mine site.

Presentations from Commissioner Harris, NSW Office of Water and various CCP staff have yet been able to show that water required by the mine can be sustainably delivered into the future.

The CVWC strongly opposes the further development of CCP until it can be proved that the water issues can be positively resolved without any doubt.

Trevor Crosby
Chairman
Cudgegong Valley Water Committee

Department of Planning, NSW
RE:

Cobbora Coal Project - Preferred Project Report

Application No: 10-0001


I strongly object to this proposed project. It would be a lose, lose, lose and no-win situation for not just the people of NSW.

The imperative of transition to a low carbon economy is ever more apparent. Record-breaking summer temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events are occurring. Increased levels of atmospheric CO2 from the burning of coal is absolutely crazy. It is way beyond the time for NO NEW COAL MINES.

The true cost of this proposed state-owned coal mine has not been adequately assessed. The cost of building to the NSW taxpayer in monetary terms is outrageous enough, particularly when renewable energy alternatives are considered; but to consider that there would be ongoing subsidy of half price coal for energy generation, for decades, has to evidence that the true cost has not been assessed.

The local health impact of burning low grade/high ash coal has also not been assessed.

I do think the impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services by destroying almost 2000 hectares of native vegetation was assessed. I think that this assessment evidences that it cannot be mitigated as no final offset strategy has been provided.

This proposal is out of sync and time. It should be rejected. Dodgy coal mine deals need to be consigned to the past.

Marg McLean

FalBrook Wildlife Refuge

PO Box 462
Singleton 2330
March 8 2013

COBBORA COAL PROJECT - PREFERRED PROJECT REPORT

APPLICATION NO 10-001



SUBMISSION



I object to the above Project Report as a resident of East Maitland and the Hunter Valley.

This project does not justify the increased demand for water for mining operations from the previous prediction of 3,700 ML per year up to 4,340 ML per year. In addition to this the increased pump rate from the Cudgegong River and access to higher natural flows has not been adequately assessed.

The health impacts of this project have not been adequately addressed with the increased height of over burden creating dust emissions. The air quality model needs to be re done using all current meteorological information.
Local residents will be subjected to the impact of additional noise from the proposed loop and no monitoring of this impact has been included.

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

The project will increase the area of destroyed woodland by 92 ha including an additional 11 ha of threatened ecological communities. This can never be replaced or rehabilitated for future generations.


Marg Edwards
202 High Street
EAST MAITLAND NSW 2323
7 March 2013

Cobbora Coal Project- Preferred Project
Report Application No: 10-0001

To whom it may concern
I am a resident of the Mid Western Region of NSW. It is my understanding that this proposed coal project will have considerable impact on the water storage capacity of our area as well as major disturbance to flora and fauna on the site where the coal project is to be located.
I am alarmed that this project is being proposed when our region has limited water storage capacity and a project of this size will have a major impact.
I oppose this project and ask you to consider my commentary.

Thank you
John Clarke

Dear Sir/Madam,

Back in December, I sent you my objection to the opening of a new coal mine in Cobbora.

Today I want to reiterate my objection, this time regarding the Preferred Project Report.
I know that mining companies do that all the time, but I still get infuriated that a company, owned by taxpayers, can now request an increase in water supply when water is the exact reason why the Cobbora mine shouldn't go ahead. The company also wants the area of destroyed woodland increased when we know that the environment damaged by a mine can never return to its original state. More people will consequently be affected by these changes too.

As I have said previously we should stop destroying more environment and aim at reducing climate change. Please endeavour to develop alternative energies. And above all I adamantly request the NSW government to not go ahead with the Cobbora Project.

Yours sincerely,

Elisabeth Brasseur
4 George St,
MUDGEE NSW 2850

Original submission 15th November 2012

The Cobbora Holding Company (CHC), a State owned mine, is inappropriate investment of $3.4 billion of NSW taxpayers' money and will run at a loss. The NSW Government wants to develop a state-owned coal mine, 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.

1. The life of any mine is only about 30 years and we are left with desolation since natural ecosystems cannot be replaced.

2. This money would best be spent on development of renewable energy power plants - eg
a) Solar - Beyond Zero Emissions
Suite 10,
288 Brunswick St
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Australia
This has been developed by CSIRO and Melbourne University and is used in Spain. The salt tower ensures
a constant supply of current.

b) Wind - About 10 wind companies have built turbines in Australia since 1098 but as yet NSW only has a penetration of 1.1% of its power generation (South Australia has 23.5%). However power supply companies give preference to coal fired generators forcing many wind companies to make poor profits and some have difficulty remaining solvent.

c) Geothermal has died a horrible death despite early Federal support.

3. The project justification is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projection since China is reducing its imports.
China's economic growth is now ready to be weaned from its addiction to coal and the State Council decision - including apportioning responsibilities to local governments and enterprises - this shows a stronger political consensus has been reached to mobilise the bureaucracy.
Pan Jiahua, who heads a team of climate change economists at China's leading think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Fairfax Media that the State Council's endorsement of the energy target had the effect of elevating it into a "political requirement". He said officials in local governments and state-owned enterprises would now be judged partly on their ability to meet energy targets while a long list of green slogans, incentives and policies were translating into concrete measures. Professor Pan said energy security remained the primary motivation behind the measures but last month's record pollution readings in North China had contributed to the hardening of political will. "Chinese people have done enough tolerating such bad air," he said.


4. 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 and aims to provide cheap domestic coal to power stations in the Upper Hunter and Central Coast. The recent parliamentary inquiry has called for an independent review to establish the necessity of the Cobbora mine, including a full examination of the subsidy involved in selling the coal below the market price. It was recently revealed in a report by the NSW Auditor-General that the coal from the mine will be supplied to government power stations for $31 a tonne, believed to be less than the price paid on some existing contracts. The poor quality of the Cobbora coal has been assessed by the bank analysis, as well as $120 million cost of building rail links to connect the mine to the existing rail line.


5. The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts.

6. The project has a very large footprint and will cause major environmental impacts on woodland habitat (The planned project will destroy 1,867ha (47km 2) of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species. There are 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 - see my submission 13th November 2013). Ecotourism and recreation opportunities will be lost.

7. As well as groundwater and surface water sources and loss of at least 79 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

8. The project will destroy valuable agricultural land. The proposed 300km rail link, 80m wide will occupy a further 240km2 of land.

7) The project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

8) The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions and destroy the ground water systems for townships.

Recommendations

1) The Cobbora Coal Mine should not go ahead.

2) Instead the money can be used for what the people of Australia want which is renewable energy development and new research science advances to solve life after our resources run out - we currently use 1 ½ Earths every year.

3) Money can be spent on more jobs which will directly help people in education, ecotourism, better public hospital services, arts, music and sport which will be the real jobs in a difficult future. Birth control needs to be publicised.

SUBMISSION BY MUDGEE GOLF CLUB

RE: COBBORA COAL PROJECT (CCP)




In its earlier submission the Board of Directors of Mudgee Golf Club agreed to reject the applications to move water (2,311ML) from the Macquarie River to the Cudgegong /Windamere System.

The CCP has displayed erratic behaviour when it comes to advising on future water requirements from the Windamere Dam and Cudgegong system.

Given their latest water requirement update, they require another 900ML. State Water's current resource assessment calculations show that the system will collapse if this amount of water is used day in and day out, this puts the viability of the Mudgee Golf Club at risk. Without water the golf facility would cease to exist.

The Mudgee Golf Club strongly apposes any water licence movements that challenge Drought On Record modelling by State Water.


Keith Baker
President
Mudgee Golf Club

Head of Planning NSW,

Dear Sir.

Please withdraw your approval for the Cobbora Coal Mine. We are under serious threat of global warming and this is not the time to be proposing more coal fired power stations. This is quite apart from the environmental devastation that it would bring.

Yours faithfully, Griselda Browne

4 March 2013

Dear Mr O'Donoghue,

Cobbora Coal Project- Preferred Project Report
Application No: 10_0001
Letter of Objection

The economics of this coal supply would be unreasonable for the taxpayers of N.S.W, and the PPR cannot guarantee a stable coal supply.
The increased water use in mining is unsustainable and would also necessitate an increased pump rate from the Cudgegong River, and I don't think this has been taken into account.
Most distressing is the increase of destruction of natural woodland by 92ha which includes some threatened ecological communities.
The ecological footprint of the mine is too high and cannot be adequately offset! No adequate offset plan has been provided.
There will of course be an increase in dust emissions. Local residents will also be affected by the increased noise from the proposed rail loop. Also the increase in rail length exeeds the Rail capacity.
For all the above reasons I wish to register my extreme disapproval of the Cobbora Preferred Project.
Yours Sincerely,

Ms Bertha Kay Binns
127 Herbert St
Gulgong NSW 2852

To whom it may concern
The gas most responsible for the greenhouse effect which causes global warming is carbon dioxide. The burning of coal results in the production of carbon dioxide and should therefore be discouraged. Coal should be left in the ground where it is doing no harm. It therefore follows that for the sake of life on this planet the mining of coal such as by the Cobbora Holding Company should not be allowed. There are nonpolluting renewable sources of energy which could and should be used for the generation of electricity.

Yours faithfully

Ian Edwards

OBJECTION

This email is to object in the strongest possible terms to the development of a coal mine at Cobbora on the following grounds:

We have just been though a very dry summer with low water levels in our dams and water tables. There has not been adequate assessment of flows to ensure that domestic water requirements will be securred. The amount of water projected to be taken from the Cudgegong river for this mine will prove an ecological disaster and once the damage is done it will be too late to return the environment to its former state.

Mr O'Farrell's goverment is compounding the damage done to this state by inadequate inquiry into coal mines that characterised the previous Labor government. State owned coal mines are costing the NSW taxpayer at the expense of better hospitals in country areas.

The ecological impact of this mine in dust, water use, damage to flora and fauna, noise from coal trains and general polution is too high and its value to NSW taxpapers has in no way been proven nor have adequate answers been given to previous submissins.

regards
Veronica Burns
77 Lewis Street
MUDGEE.

I wish to object to this project from proceeding.

The reasons I give are as follows:

1. Water availability. The Cudgegong river doesn't have enough continuous flow to meet the demands of the Cobbora Project. Looking back through the past 10 years of historical data on releases from Windamere Dam, which is above the proposed extraction point, much of the time the Windamere Dam releases are only about 20ML per day. 20ML per day is only 7300ML per year. Mudgee's requirements alone are 3000ML per year. This only left 4300ML for Gulgong township, irrigation requirements and environmental flows. I have been living near the Cudgegong most of my life, and there are a lot of times where the river barely flows. Windamere Dam hasn't been full in the last 20 years. 2010 was one of the 6 wettest years in 111 years of rainfall recording in Mudgee, and in that year Windamere's level only increased by about 25%. Burrendong Dam on the other hand had major overflows in 2010, causing flooding in Dubbo and other towns along its path.
2. Economics. This project will be a tax burden on the people of NSW for years to come. The people will have to subsidise the production of cheap coal to burn in the state's power stations, which will prevent the investment in renewable energy in NSW. This project was only dreamed up by the former NSW government so that they could sell the power stations. It will never be profitable unless the mine extracts a much larger quantity of coal and exports it.
3. Climate Change. Burning coal is THE major cause of climate change. The NSW government should be investing in renewable energy, not an additional coal mine for itself. Plans for this mine to extract 20MT of ore, with 12MT of coal, with contribute 40 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year into the atmosphere for the next 20 years. This amount doesn't include the carbon dioxide generated in extracting the coal. Our children will look on this project as an absolutely bazaar folly by the NSW government, especially as the government will have to pay out increasing large sums of money to combat climate change. This mine will only prolong the burning of coal in the power stations of NSW.
4. Coal quality. The quality of coal in the Cobbora mine site is extremely poor. Coal has been rejected at some of the power station in NSW because of poor quality. How are they going to increase the quality of this coal enough for it to be burnt in the power stations?
5. Transport. How is the coal going to get to the power stations? The Ulan rail line is already fully committed with trains from Ulan, Wilpinjong and Moolarben coal mines. The rail line through Mudgee is degraded to the extent that coal trains can't access it. The rail line through Werris creek is also fully committed.

Yours faithfully,

Ian McAdam

I am a resident of Australia and I find it horrific that this Coborra Coal mine is still being considered. Why are we paying a Carbon tax, which is supposed to cut down on pollutants when this Coborra project is still being considered??
There are So many negatives about this mine, where do I start.

For the sake of our future and that of our Ozzie kids, pls put a total stop to this now and for ever.

Thanks
George Dionyssopoulos and extended family and friends.