Cobbora Coal Mine

RE: Objection to the proposed coal mine at Cobbora


I am a concerned citizen of Australia, and a member of several environmental organisations, I welcome the opportunity to make a written submission against the proposed coal mine at Cobbora as outlined below.


Firstly, the proposed open cut mine encroaches onto high conservation and high agricultural areas, and directly threatens the habitats of 39 endangered flora and fauna. Efforts to `mitigate' are insufficient, as is the plan to rehabilitate the threatened species. These are highly endangered species, as such, it is the government's obligation to protect and ensure that their habitat remains undisturbed, not compromise their viability for commercial gain. It is also uncertain how successful the translocation of these organisms will be, with climate change a reality and threats to water supply increasing over time, as highlighted in the Executive summary, the added stress from the mine itself, will drive these organisms to eventual extinction


Secondly, water is a scarce resource under current climatic conditions. There are alternatives for fossil-fuel driven electrical generators: but not for our natural water supplies. Though residents in local areas are offered alternatives, in the probable event of water contamination from toxic runoff, wild life will be directly threatened if there is an unprecedented drought or if toxic runoff contaminates ground water or rivers, as they are completely reliant on these natural bodies of water.


Thirdly, it is an Aboriginal heritage site. Moreover, the report has identified that areas significant to Aboriginal culture will be negatively impacted. Given that they are the original custodians of the land, which was brutally taken away from them, it is highly unacceptable that any of their sacred sites are disturbed. All areas of cultural significance need to be left undisturbed, and respected.


Furthermore, the water that will be diverted to the mine for its operation will threaten other legitimate industries, such as the Cobbora wineries and agricultural farms. Furthermore, the noise, dust and carcinogens emanating from the mine, will directly threaten the health of all those in the valley. The change to lifestyle and destruction to health can easily be avoided if more environmentally friendly options are implemented.


Finally, the Cobbora mine was proposed in order to meet the energy demands of the state, principally by burning coal to generate electricity to meet consumer needs. This is short term strategy, as a long-term solution would have explored all renewable energy options, in an unbiased manner. Moreover, since the original proposal, the demand for coal has dropped significantly, rendering the proposed Cobbora mine an unnecessary expense. There are other environmentally friendly solutions that will cater to our current and future energy demands, and minimise the State's carbon dioxide levels- such as solar energy and wind energy, that can generate electricity without emitting additional carbon dioxide into the already heavily polluted atmosphere. The 3 billion dollars that this project is costing to tax payers, is far better invested in subsidizing these schemes rather than powering `dirty' coal mines that are contributing to, not alleviating problems to the ailing climate.


The decision to build an additional coal mine is very short sighted and unnecessary. The Cobbora mines will further endanger the already endangered wild life as well as threaten water supply to ground water and adjacent rivers and creeks. Moreover the project and its products will contribute to and not alleviate greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the cost borne by tax payers serves only as a temporary measure to our exploding energy needs, and should be better spent on renewable energy schemes that do not threaten the environment, but offer more permanent solutions. I sincerely hope that the plan to expand the mine be relinquished for the reasons outlined.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm pleased their is opportunity to comment on the proposed expansion. I must express my strongest objection and concerns, that this Proposed Coal Mine is not in the public interest, and certainly can not support the Government in developing this.

I believe the people who voted for you don't give you permission to spend this money in this way. The proposed mine is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections. The demand for electricity has gone down so another coal mine is not justified.Further The Cobbora Coal project will cost NSW taxpayers $3.4 billion.

The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts.
The Hunter already has massive damage done to it from open cut coal mines. I ask you do not destroy this land with important high conservation and agricultural value. The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions. We know that due to climate change there will be less rain. Surely the local townspeople and the farmers deserve to have enough water to continue to live there and carry out their business.

The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species. Once these species become extinct they are gone forever. We have a duty of care to protect them for future generations.

As well as damage to the environment the project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. We serverly impacted upon the Aboriginal people and destroyed their habitat and food source when Europeans came to Australia so surely today we know better and have an obligation to protect what remains as best practice in government.

Essentially this Cobbora Mine will be a disaster for NSW, and I ask you do not give it consent.

Points of Objection:
1. NSW Tax Payers money should not be invested in to the Cobbora Coal project, as provision has been previously made for mine projects to provide power stations with coal, but these mines were privatized and the owners saw it more profitable to export the coal. The mine will be run at a net loss to the NSW tax payer.
2. The rationale for the project is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections.
3. A mine at Coborra will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The project will disturb approx 47km2 of land with important high conservation and agricultural value. This is a very large footprint for a mine.
5. The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species. A biodiversity offset does not ensure the continuation of these threatened species in this area.
6. The project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
7. The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions
8. The quality of the coal is poor with a high ash content, requiring 20 million tonnes per annum to be mined to produce 12 million tonnes per annum, very inefficient

Thank you for this opportunity to express my objections regarding the above project.

We have seen massive cuts in this state to education, health and public transport, funding losses that will have a profound negative effect on our society. Yet the present government is continuing on with the Cobborah Coal Project at a cost of $3.4bn at the taxpayers' expense. This investment is completely wrong.

· The demand for electricity has actually decreased, as has also the cost of export coal.
· The figures on which this coal mine was proposed are now outdated.
· In effect, the state government is handing a hefty subsidy to each of the six coal-fired power stations at the expense of investment in renewable energies such as solar power.
· This coal mine will lock in years of greenhouse gas pollution, generating approximately 25m tonnes per year for the life of the mine. This is in direct opposition to the policies of both State and Federal Governments to reduce the impacts of global warming.

Not only is this mine expensive to the taxpayer, it is also very expensive and unsustainable in its water usage. The amount of 3.7 thousand million litres to go to the mine is outrageous, and threatens the viability of the Mudgee region.

I am a secondary teacher at Mosman High School as well as a keen member of the school's environment committee.

We run an "enviro-week" program at this time each year and so therefore have taken the trouble to inform ourselves about alternatives to coal-fired power.

The students are particularly interested in these issues, knowing well that they will be impacted upon more severely in the future, by the decisions made by you today.

We have taught them that just reducing demand for power is a significant strategy and already this change in behaviour appears to be occurring, in the school and the wider society.

Therefore can NSW still justify such a huge spend?

Surely an amount of $3.4 billion would be better used to fund clean renewable energy?

People certainly wonder why this type of investment isn't already being delivered by the govt. It's increasingly difficult to explain actually.

Beyond Zero Emissions were invited to "enviro-week" and delivered a brilliant presentation showing how, by using technology already in existence, Australia can change over to renewable energy.

When examined, the proposed Cobbora coal mine appears to be riddled with some quite impressive problems.

These include the destruction of many many hectares of woodland that contain precious endangered and vulnerable flora and fauna.

More concerning for many people however is the negative impact on valuable farming land and local communities.

Particularly worrying for the future of this region, is the competition for Cudgegong River water use.

Many students and families from Mosman holiday in the Mudgee area.

Therefore we are at a loss to understand why this beautiful area needs to be sacrificed for such an unworthy project.

Perhaps someone from your govt. planning dept. could attend "enviro-week" next year and explain why such a decision would be made?

Anyway, as this is unlikely to occur, please consider our strong objections to the development of yet another dirty, polluting and unnecessary coal mine at Cobbora.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to proposal number 10 - 0001 to build the Cobbora coal mine.

Far from boosting the economy, construction of this mine will rob $3 billion from taxpayers in order to provide cheap subsidised coal to power stations for the next twenty years, locking in decades of unnecessary carbon pollution..

Furthermore, if built, it will involve the destruction of nearly two thosand acres of wildlife habitat, the loss of agricultural land, damage to groundwater resources and desecration of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

Electricity demand has been decreasing since privatisation under the Keneally government and will continue to decrease in proportion to rising public awareness of the pollution and ravaging of the environment it causes.

More and more people are demanding clean, sustainable, renewable energy. Investment in renewable energy sources would place Australia firmly at the forefront of the global economy, rather than shaming this country for its greed and short-sightedness.

I cannot believe the NSW Government is willing to spend more than $3 billion dollars of taxpayers' money to destroy nearly 2 thousand hectares of Wildlife habitat to provide half priced coal to our state's polluting power stations for more than 20 years.

This mine proposal is environmentally destructive and fiscally irresponsible. The money should be spent on public transport, education, health and clean energy.

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

The Government must abandon this costly, polluting and destructive proposal.Texas in the United States is an example of the devastation of land, poisonous water and diseases in humans as well as animals where coal mining as well as csg mining en masse has occurred and is still ongoing.

Once land, wildlife habitat and water is destroyed there is no way to restore these valuable assets.
The NSW Government must abandon this costly, polluting and destructive proposal.

Dear Mdm/Sir

I take an interest in conservation and environmental issues, and I am a wildlife advocate with the Australian Wildlife Protection Council.

I am concerned about the Cobbora Coal mine and it's potential devastation.

The Cobbora Coal Project is an open cut mine that will primarily supply thermal coal to power stations in NSW for electricity generation. The project will produce up to 12 million tonnes per annum of coal when operational. In words, it sounds very promising, but at what cost?

While other states and nations are investing in wind and solar, the O'Farrell government is busy locking down decades worth of dirty coal. Cobbora would add another 25 million tonnes of CO2 per year to NSW's emissions compared to clean energy alternatives.

The subsidies needed to keep the mine running and the fossil-fuel lobby happy will unfairly disadvantage renewable energy, which will be forced to compete against power stations fuelled with below-cost coal. What's the point of the carbon tax if States are in the "business as usual" of locking into a coal-based mining economy?

The Cobbora coal mine will result in serious environmental impacts, including the destruction of more than 1,850 hectares of woodlands, loss of agricultural land, damage to groundwater resources and desecration of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. It's counter-productive to make a step forward economically, but lose the land, our cultural and environmental heritage and habitats for wildlife - already under so many threats to their existence.

Coalmining leaves large tracts of sterile landscape, punctuated by former open-cut voids filled with toxic fluid. Creek beds and aquifers are punctured and cracked. Contaminated mine water is released into river systems, which adds to salinity and harms native species. It's about abandoning long term costs and destruction for addiction to coal, economic growth at all costs.

Australia will continue to be addicted to fossil fuels while we have no population plan for our nation. Achieving a truly sustainable future depends upon the decisions and choices we make today. Harnessing the clean and free power of wind is one part of the jigsaw of addressing climate change, but another is limiting demand through a population policy for Australia. There appears to be little inclination of governments and economists to abandon their enthusiasm for the growth-based economic model that served us well in the past, but can't be maintained on a finite planet, in a country with large tracts of desert. We are fouling our own land, our own nests!

Australia has the abysmal record of the highest mammal extinction in the modern world. Koalas that were once plentiful are struggling to survive, and our iconic kangaroos are largely considered a "pest" or a "resource" due to industries and agriculture.

The clearing of 1,867ha 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. It's assumed that habitats of native species can just be plundered without a duty-of-care, as if they were all resources just for one species - homo sapiens!

Also a large number of threatened woodland birds protected under the NSW Threatened Species Act were recorded in the area of impact - brown treecreeper, diamond firetail, glossy black-cockatoo, grey-crowned babbler, hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, masked owl, barking owl, powerful owl.

Modern humans have been walking the Earth for 200,000 years, and with good decisions and good judgement, we can continue to live dignified and fulfilling for another 200,000 years - but not on the present rate of destruction, consumption of resources, climate change and present rates of population growth that is demanded by the tunnel-visioned economic-growth at all costs paradigm.

Australia as a leading nation should be setting the global pace for sustainable economic decisions, and the use of renewable energy for a post-carbon future, not using the past as a model for the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my opinion.

Dear Sir/Madam, and Ministers,


I welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed coal mine.


My Public submission on the Cobbora coal mine


I am strongly opposed to the creation of this mine to go ahead, and i urge you to abandon this costly, polluting and destructive proposal.


Key points i refer to in opposition follow...


Key Points of Objection:


Cobbora Coal project is inappropriate investment of $3.4 billion of NSW taxpayers' money

The project justification is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections

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

The project will disturb approx 47km2 of land with important high conservation and agricultural value

The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species

The project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites

The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions

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 1,867ha 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.

Also a large number of threatened woodland birds protected under the NSW Threatened Species Act were recorded in the area of impact - brown treecreeper, diamond firetail, glossy black-cockatoo, grey-crowned babbler, hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, masked owl, barking owl, powerful owl.

The proposed biodiversity offset package has not been finalized and is inappropriately based on mine rehabilitation. The replacement of high conservation value habitat especially tree hollows in slow growing woodland species takes centuries.

The mine will need to use up to 3,700 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 NSW Government has purchased 68 of 90 properties in the affected area. The loss of farming community and broadscale food production has not been adequately assessed.

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.

Attention: Megan Webb

Members of the Planning Assessment Commission and Mr O'Donoghue,

My name is Rob Ingram and I live with my wife Penny Stevens at Cobbora, 5kms from the site of the proposed coal mine site. We are very much opposed to the Cobbora mine project but realistic about the likelihood of it proceeding. However, we have a number of concerns which we would like you to take into consideration:

* the very process of the mine licence application - ie a company 100 per cent owned by the State Government of NSW applying to the State Government of NSW for a licence to impose mining operations on a small community whose only redress is to appeal to the State Government of NSW's Planning Assessment Commission which prepares a report to the State Government of NSW's Department of Planning and Infrastructure. With the greatest respect, I am surprised that the members of the Commission would compromise their reputations by being part of a process that provides the affected community with no protection at all, and which has no independence or credibility.

* the Minister's request to the Commission avoids any reference to impacts on indigenous cultural heritage sites or historic heritage sites.

* our property - the historic Old Cobbora Court House is prominently listed on the Warrumbungle Shire heritage register, as is the neighbouring Cobbora School House. The historic Cobbora Community Hall is also on our property. We were contacted when the EA was being prepared and asked if someone could visit us. We were happy to cooperate. Nobody called. None of the historic buildings in the village of Cobbora are included in the EA. This is the closest community to the mine site.

* at a community information meeting in Dunedoo in May 2012, organised by Cobbora Holding Company, I requested that an air quality monitor be sited in the village of Cobbora to allow residents to compare air quality before and after mining operations begin. The environmental specialist in air quality at the meeting agreed with this request but six months later nothing has been done.

* residents of Cobbora Village have no town water supply and rely on rainfall and underground bores for their water needs. There is concern and even fear among these residents that the mine's water bore activities will reduce the water level available to existing residential bores (a fact not disputed by CHC). Further we have been informed by people familiar with the Hunter Valley experience that dust from mining activity collects in the guttering of nearby roofing and rainfall washes it into rainwater tanks making the water unsuitable for human consumption and producing a sludge in tanks that renders them useless. CHC and the EA have done nothing to reassure us about these dangers.

* the effect of mine blasting on historic buildings in Cobbora village does not appear to have been addressed.

* a recent development application approval by Warrumbungle Shire Council insisted that the restored Cobbora Village Hall have only exterior downlighting shaded by eaves or light shades to protect Siding Springs Observatory (about 120kms away) from the effects of peripheral lighting. Now floodlit open cut mining 24 hours a day is likely to be approved five kilometres from us with massive light and dust pollution of the night skies. This suggests an anomaly.

* the fancifully-named Golden Highway is, in fact, a two-lane sealed road. Local residents are greatly concerned by the inevitable increase in heavy vehicle and wide load traffic on this road between Gulgong and Dubbo. This is the only road available to local residents and school buses. The alternative Laheys Creek/Spring Ridge road favoured by Cobbora residents as a link to Gulgong, Mudgee and beyond is being closed for mine traffic, and a link through Sandy Creek and Dapper offered by CHC will have no appeal or benefit.

* the tone of the entire EA is unblushingly and unprofessionally subjective. An objective report might note that local roads will be closed. This report notes that hardly any local roads will be closed. This transparent and naive bias of the report's authors in favour of the commissioning mine company, dimishes the credibility and integrity of the entire document.

* the Minister's request to the Planning Assessment Commission dated 23 October 2012 and requesting a final report by "the end of February 2012" is indicative of the general incompetence surrounding this process. While it is unclear whether the Commission's terms of reference includes the financial viability and economic impact of this project on the ratepayers of NSW, it is clear to everyone in the Central West that the cost of subsidising the delivery of coal from Cobbora at the contracted price, plus the very real likelihood of compensation to the generator customers for failing to meet deadlines, adds up to an economic disaster.

I have made no political donations in the past two years, and the likelihood of my doing so in the future approaches the realms of fantasy.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I'm writing out of grave concern about our nation's unacceptable contribution to climate change thru the burning of coal.

The Cobbora coal mine, if built, will result in serious environmental impacts, including:

destruction of more than 1,850 hectares of woodlands
loss of agricultural land
damage to groundwater resources
Is it worth it for a few lousy bucks?


It will lock in decades of dirty energy instead of clean renewable.


Have you checkout the state of the Arctic lately? This crucial thermostat for the planet is shrinking and collapsing.
Do we want to add to the problem?


Please turn back! Please don't approve this mine.

Re :Objection to the Cobbora Coal Mine Proposal.

We are residents of Galston who are very concerned about the environmental destruction and the waste of scarce financial resources which will result from the Cobbora Coal Mine Proposal.

We object to the Cobbora coal mine project on the following grounds:

1. We understand that the power station will cost the NSW taxpayers $3.4 billion and will run at a loss providing a substantial subsidy to NSW power generators. This money should be invested in renewable energy for its long term and environmental benefits.

2. The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emission. This is contrary to the State's well publicized policy to reduce climate change impacts.

3. The project will adversely impact on the habitat of species listed for national protection by the destruction of 1,867 ha of woodland.

4. A large number of woodland birds have been recorded in the area of the project which are listed on the NSW Threatened Species Act such as the powerful owl, glossy black cockatoo and the diamond firetail to name a few.

5. 3,700 million litres of water for mine use will be extracted from surface and groundwater sources. This will threaten water security for those downstream in the Mudgee Region noted for its wine production and its tourism industry.

6. The NSW Government has purchased 68 properties in the affected area. Many consider that the loss of farming and broadscale food production has not been properly assessed.

7. Assurances that the impacted site will be regenerated at the end of the mines operation mean little when it takes centuries for slow growing woodland species to become high conservation value habitat complete with tree hollows for wildlife and the wildlife is dead.

Demand for coal-fired electricity generation is dropping and taxpayer funds should be directed to the generation of non-polluting renewable energy sources to arrest climate change for the well-being of future generations.

Yours faithfully,

John and Beverley Inshaw

I am appalled at this proposal, to open a huge coal mine at Cobbora. IT MUST NOT GO AHEAD.

What are you thinking of? Lining a few peoples' pockets for the sake of the survival of the planet? It is imperative that we shut down coal mines and coal fired power stations right now. It is NOT exaggerating, we must act now to prevent catastrophic weather events, that will kill thousands of people in the near future. Do you not realise we have run out of room in the atmosphere for any more Carbon Dioxide. It is as simple as that.

Politicians will be held accountable for their actions. When will you politicians stop acting for the greedy self-interested power brokers and start acting for the ordinary decent people of the world. Imagine the Royal Commission into the Fossil Fuel Industry that we will have, if we survive to carry it out.

I rely on your integrity and humanity to put a stop to this proposal.

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Objection to Cobbora Coal Project - Application No: 10_0001

I wish to lodge an objection to this proposal for the following reasons:
1. Cobbora Coal project is inappropriate investment of $3.4b of NSW taxpayers money. 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.

2. The project justification is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections. 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 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 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 mine will cost the NSW tax payer approx $3.4b 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. Tax payer's money would be better invested in renewable energy sources.

3. The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts.
4. The project will disturb approx 47km2 of land with important high conservation and agricultural value . The project has a very large footprint and will cause major environmental impacts on woodland habitat as well as groundwater and surface water sources.

5. The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species.

The clearing of 1,867ha 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.

Also a large number of threatened woodland birds protected under the NSW Threatened Species Act were recorded in the area of impact - brown treecreeper, diamond firetail, glossy black-cockatoo, grey-crowned babbler, hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, masked owl, barking owl, powerful owl.

The proposed biodiversity offset package has not been finalized and is inappropriately based on mine rehabilitation. The replacement of high conservation value habitat especially tree hollows in slow growing woodland species takes centuries.

6. The project will destroy least 79 significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

7. The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply. The mine will need to use up to 3,700 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.

8. The NSW Government has purchased 68 of 90 properties in the affected area. The loss of farming community and broadscale food production has not been adequately assessed.

9. 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.

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

I urge the Government. for all the reasons above, to refuse this application.

Yours faithfully,
Julie A. Sheppard

The Cobbora Coal project will cost NSW taxpayers $3.4 billion. The people who voted for you don't give you permission to spend this money in this way. The proposed mine is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections. The demand for electricity has gone down so another coal mine is not justified.

The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts. Think about the future of our children and grandchildren; leave them with a safe world without more droughts, floods and possibly an environment not suitable to live in.

The Hunter has had massive damage done to it from open cut coal mines. Don't destroy this land with important high conservation and agricultural value. The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions. We know that due to climate change there will be less rain. Surely the local townspeople and the farmers deserve to have enough water to continue to live there and carry out their business.

The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species. Once these species become extinct they are gone forever. We have a duty of care to protect them for future generations.

As well as damage to the environment the project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. We killed Aborigines and destroyed their habitat and food source when Europeans came to Australia but surely today we know better and have an obligation to protect what is left.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am the secretary of Parramatta Climate Action Network

I welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed expansion.

The Cobbora Coal project will cost NSW taxpayers $3.4 billion. The people who voted for you don't give you permission to spend this money in this way. The proposed mine is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections. The demand for electricity has gone down so another coal mine is not justified.

The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts. Think about the future of our children and grandchildren; leave them with a safe world without more droughts, floods and possibly an environment not suitable to live in.

The Hunter has had massive damage done to it from open cut coal mines. Don't destroy this land with important high conservation and agricultural value. The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions. We know that due to climate change there will be less rain. Surely the local townspeople and the farmers deserve to have enough water to continue to live there and carry out their business.

The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species. Once these species become extinct they are gone forever. We have a duty of care to protect them for future generations.

As well as damage to the environment the project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. We killed Aborigines and destroyed their habitat and food source when Europeans came to Australia but surely today we know better and have an obligation to protect what is left.

Yours sincerely,

Annie Nielsen
Member
Parramatta Climate Action Network

Dear Sir/Madam,

I welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed Cobbora Coal Project expansion. The project appears to be completely at odds with Australia's strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change. Our energy and funding should be directed towards the development of clean, renewable energy, not the outdated coal industry.

In summary, I am strongly opposed to the Cobbora Coal Project for the following reasons:

1.Cobbora Coal project is inappropriate investment of $3.4 billion of NSW taxpayers' money
2.The project justification is based on outdated electricity demand and coal price projections
3.The project will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with State and Federal policy to reduce climate change impacts
4.The project will disturb approx 47km2 of land with important high conservation and agricultural value
5.The project will destroy 1,867ha of significant woodland providing habitat for 39 threatened species, including nationally listed endangered species
6.The project will destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
7.The project will compete with the Mudgee wine and tourism industry for water supply during drought conditions

Thank you for your time in reading my submission.

Objection to Proposed Cobbora Coal Mine
CC Premier O'Farrel and minister Hazzard

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are long time residents of Orange in Central NSW. We are both university graduates with honours and I am a member of the Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. We welcome the opportunity no comment on the proposed expansion and to add to the chorus of dissenting voices.

The Cobbora Coal project is a proposed taxpayer funded and state-owned coal-mining project, which will lock NSW into grossly polluting coal-fired electricity generation for the foreseeable future. The coal is of poor quality and the transport and disposal of enormous quantities of waste ash does not appear to have been addressed. In line with government policy it will almost certainly be transported by road. Equally, the coal produced will likely be transported by road. Our roads are already clogged with vehicles transporting bulk goods that would be much better sent by rail. Where will the waste be dumped?

The justification for the project is based on inflated projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next 10 years. Has the argument for continued coal-fired electricity generation been made in comparison to the long-term and sustainable benefits of renewable energy sources?

Taxpayer's money would be far better invested in renewable energy sources, particularly for base load power generation.

Such a large project will require the clearing of nearly 2000ha of wooded habitat including the habitat of endangered and vulnerable animals and plants. It will also consume large quantities of fresh water at a time when global warming is accelerating, to the detriment of river flows and to agriculture.

You will appreciate that there are very many more and serious objections to this ill-conceived project that we do not have time to list.

Yours sincerely,

(E-mail signed by)

Dr John Crichton and Mrs Joy Roby

Dear Sir/madam,

I am writing to submit my objection to the Cobbora Coal Mine (Ref. No: 10-0001).

The Cobbora Coal project is an inappropriate investment of 3.4 billion AUD (Australian Dollars) of taxpayers' money. The project will lock New South Wales into coal-fired electricity generation until at least 2036. It will generate additional greenhouse gas emissions conflicting with international plans to reduce climate change impacts and the dependence on fossil fuels.

The proposal is to mine 20 MT (million tonnes) per annum to produce 12 MT per annum of usable coal. It is an extremely poor quality product with a high ash content. The project aims to provide cheap 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 argument for continued coal-fired electricity in comparison to the long-term benefits of sustainable energy sources has not been made.
The Cobbora Coal project will cause major ecological impacts on woodland habitat as well as groundwater and surface water sources and loss of at least 79 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. Aboriginals have suffered more than enough in the past and it is time that they had more control over decisions relating to the land.

The clearing of 1,867 hectares of woodland habitat will impact 39 species listed for national protection. Endangered plant species include a 100% loss of the local population of Tylophora linearis. Endangered bird species include the australasian bittern, malleefowl, regent honeyeater and the superb parrot. Threatened woodland bird species recorded in the area of impact include the brown treecreeper, diamond firetail, glossy black-cockatoo, grey-crowned babbler, hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, masked owl, barking owl and powerful owl. Vulnerable microbat species include the southern long-eared bat and the large-eared pied bat. Australia has the worst record in the world when it comes to the extinction of species.
This project will disturb a total of about 47 square kilometres of land with important high conservation and agricultural value. The proposed biodiversity offset package has not been finalized and is inappropriately based on mine rehabilitation. The replacement of high conservation value habitat especially tree hollows in slow growing woodland species is not truly possible due to its complexity.

The mine will need to use up to 3,700 ML (million litres) of water per year from surface water and groundwater interception. The use of 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, 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.
In order to reduce my impact on the environment, forests, native animals and indigenous people, I returned to my country of origin in 1992 and encourage others to do the same. I am disappointed by recent news articles stating that about 30 thousand people have emigrated from Croatia over the past 3 years and that Australia is one of the destination countries. Continued immigration into Australia is caused largely by the mining sector and I have written to the minister for immigration regarding this matter. Australia (and North America) have an unsustainable economy and a large per-capita ecological impact and there is no excuse for these countries to be encouraging population growth.

I am also involved in a campaign against the use of coal as fuel in the Plomin C power plant expansion that is planned in Croatia because the coal might come from Australia. If the expansion cannot be avoided, then gas is better than coal because Croatia has some gas reserves and it is a cleaner fuel.
Instead of subsidizing fossil fuels, governments should support the development of clean, ecologically-sound and truly sustainable sources of energy such as solar panels and photovoltaic cells on rooftops. Biomass and biofuels are even more harmful than fossil fuels because they contribute to the destruction of forests and to food shortages.

Please reject the Cobbora Coal project. Thank you for taking these concerns into consideration.

I object to the Cobbora Coal Project as it is a totally innapropriate use of $3.4 billion of tax payers money to subsidise coal-fired power generators, thus generating additional greenhouse gas emissions, an outcome totally at odds with State policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition this project will supply poor quality coal to Upper Hunter and Central Coast power stations when the health impacts of using this type of coal have not been assessed. Areas in the Hunter are already experiencing adverse and serious health effects and do not need an untested potential source of more problems promoted by their own government.

The project will have a very large footprint with 79 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites being lost , the clearing of 1,867ha of woodland impacting adversely on species listed for national protection as well as numerous birds protected under the NSW Threatened Species Act. We could add the mine's projected consumption of water (3,700 million litres of water annually from the Cudgegong river) as another adverse effect, this time to the Mudgee regions wine and tourism industries.

The project should not proceed for the above reasons but also for the crucial fact that the justification for the project is based on incorrect projections of demand for coal-fired electricity over the next ten years as demand has dropped considerably since this project was proposed.