Dendrobium Mine Extension Project

I would like to offer my support for the project. I live locally in the illawarra and after reading the scoping report believe that the benefis to local, regional and nationally outweigh the potential impacts. The mine has gone a long way to reduce by up to 60% impacts from previous application. In terms of impact to heritage site the EIA and its reports will go a long way to increase our understanding of the area and its importance.
The second point i would like to make is that we touch up to 200 products a day that have been powered or produced by coal. We should not outsource this to overseas where the environmental and social approaches are questionable but leave the work and jobs here in Australia.
South32 takes its operational and environmental responsibilites very seriously and i would expect they will continue with this project.

I would like to lodge my full support.. Kind Regards

I am 100% for the project
South 32 support local business and I would like the mine extension to go ahead

Too keep jobs and careers available within the community

I believe that the mines should be extended due to the amount of jobs that south 32 gives to the local area, it’s is also keeping my future bright.

The amount of jobs it gives to the local area.

Hello I object on the following grounds:
1. The project has already been rejected by the IPC and supported by Scientists giving information as to the damage to our drinking water and other concerns.
2. It is really annoying when Government overrides the Community concern and an Independent body for the wishes of a Big Business especially one that is damaging the environment. Please learn from the Federal Election of the power of Community to vote out a Government who does not value the wishes of the Community .
3. Environmental concerns - damage to our water catchment area - an irreplaceable utility. Subsidence and damage to watercourse and swamps are a concern.
4. Damage to the water table - our waterways have just experienced damage from the East Coast Low - more damage due to coal wash from the proposed long wall would increase.
5. This is our drinking water - do not damage it.
6. Money should be spent on renewable resources not on coal mining.

I have serious concerns with this Project because it would result in:
- losses to Sydney and the Illawarra’s drinking water catchment
- a tripling of direct GHG emissions (Scope 1)
- potentially 'irreversible' damage to 16 endangered swamps
- a continuation of longwall mining, which is much more damaging to drinking water and endangered swamps than non-caving ‘bord and pillar’ mining
- South32's own assessment shows there would be more jobs in bord and pillar mining.
Further damage to the drinking water catchment has been justified by claims that this Project is important to Port Kembla steelworks, however, South32 has conceded that “BlueScope may be able to source alternate supplies of metallurgical coal locally”.
Based on the average Scope 1 emissions (assuming flaring) of 789,551 tonnes CO2-e per annum, the Dendrobium Extension could become the 4th highest emitting coal mine in NSW.
Pressure on Bluescope to transition to low carbon steel raises questions about future demand for Dendrobium’s coal for steel making at Port Kembla:
- BlueScope are currently investigating the use of sustainably sourced biochar and coke oven gas (which contains 60% hydrogen) as replacements for pulverised coal
- Bluescope has signed an MoU with Rio Tinto to explore using renewable hydrogen to replace coking coal to directly reduce iron ore.
- The newly elected Labor government’s ‘Powering Australia Plan’ states that “[e]normous opportunities exist to develop green steel manufacturing hubs across Australia using abundant and low cost renewable energy resources, and green hydrogen.” The Plan refers to Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology as an opportunity to transition from traditional blast furnaces (like the one currently in use at Port Kembla).

I request that NSW Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts to exercise his power under S. 2.9 (1) (c) of the EP&A Act to task the NSW IPC with reviewing independent reports being commissioned by NSW DPE (including security of coal supply for Bluescope).

It is out of step and seriously concerning that this is the first time a coal mine application was declared State Significant Infrastructure (SSI), effectively sidelining the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) after it refused consent of an earlier version submission. Personally, I think ICAC should become interested in the circumstances surrounding the SSI declaration.

Australians have collectively spoken loud and clear when voting at the recent Federal election in favour of strong immediate climate action, followed closely by integrity and fairness in government decision-making. Climate action means stopping any new oil and gas projects immediately and seriously and rapidly working at all levels of government and the community to reduce emissions which contribute to climate change and the ever more severe disaters we are being subjected to. Integrity and fairness means following proper process and listening to the science and affected stakeholders including indigenour voices before proceeding with projects such as these which have the potential for such large consequences.

I support the mining project at Dendrobium Mine
Creating jobs for people .South32 have Supporting local community n sporting in the Illawarra.

I support the extension as the Metallurgical Coal used critical to the creation of high quality steel which current alternatives just can not compete with.
The Dendrobium mine provides an opportunity for university graduates to gain critical industry experience.
Dendrobium also employs hundreds of people, and works with numerous contractors, all of which would be impacted by the extension decision.

I support mt kembla mining

I support the project

Dendrobium mine has supported myself, my friends and family for the past 20 years, mining has been part of the Illawarra for over 100 years and creates thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, it would be a major blow to the Illawarra community if this extension doesn’t go ahead

Creating jobs for the future for local workers

I strongly object to the proposed Debrobium coal mine expansion due to its impacts on water security, broader environmental impacts and threats to biodiversity, and impacts on Aboriginal heritage sites.

I am extremely dismayed by the decision to change the expansion to State Significant Infrastructure (SSI), removing the process from the remit of the IPC.

The NSW Government's decision in this regard is totally out of step with public opinion and interest. The 2022 Federal election clearly showed that Australian voters want action on climate change and are fed up with government decisions that continue to benefit big business interests and non-renewables over the priorities of the broader population. Any decision to allow this mine expansion is also utterly out of step with state and Federal government commitments to turn the Illawarra into a renewable energy hub.

As a resident of Mount Keira, I lived through the 2019-2020 drought. I bucketed shower water onto my garden, breathed dust and smoke, and saved every drop of water possible. I was dismayed to learn that mining operations in the area were undermining the water catchment, wasting water and threatening residents' water security. NSW residents and voters have had enough. We live on the world's driest inhabitant continent - if our water security cannot trump the interests of coal miners, in the eyes of our elected representatives, then what will ever be important enough?

In addition to voicing my strong objection, I am seeking assurances that:
* The NSW DPIE will publish their final assessment report for the Dendrobium expansion project and allow ample opportunity for community and expert input prior to the Minister reaching a decision.
* The DPIE's final assessment report will assess the Dendrobium expansion project's EIS from an ecologically sustainable development perspective, in according with NSW legislation.
* The final assessment decision will acknowledge that Bluescope Steel has stated that their operations are not dependent on this mine extension, and that this reality fundamentally undermines the legitimacy of any economic imperative given for the expansion.
* The cost benefit analysis not be undertaken by a biased contractor or under a biased terms of reference.
* The community will have a right to appeal the Minister's decision.

I believe the damage to our water catchment is unacceptable. I don't think we should be expanding or starting new coal mines. This mines contribution to climate change needs to be stopped. On a local level I think the excessive traffic that will result from this expansion is incompatible with a small residential suburb like Mount Kembla. I also think the noise and dust that results from this mine is damaging this communities health. If this expansion is approved I think the large new carpark in the beautiful Illawarra escarpment needs to be removed from the approval. There are alternatives available, communities and water supplies should not be sacrificed.

The extension of the mine will see new and ongoing employment continue as well as support for local businesses and community groups in the Illawarra.

Its the backbone of the country like agriculture, farming etc. I don't believe its a problem that the Illawarra needs to appose. Environmental affects do need to be taken into consideration, as does each and every individual needs to take responsibility for where and how they treat their rubbish. But to remove such a resource from our area is not a solution to any issue. Its a cry from a minority. Stop oiling the squeaky wheel.

This project is critical to the people of the Illawarra.
Thousands of families rely upon the jobs created both directly and indirectly by Dendrobium mine.
South 32 are a great contributor to the community and operate in an environmentally conscious manner.
I strongly support this project and what it means to the future of the Illawarra

Mt Kembla exists because it began as a coal mining village many decades ago . Coal mining is embedded deeply in the rich history of the village. My family had 3 generations work there , I lived in Mt Kembla for many years in my childhood and attended the local primary school where we learnt about the local mine as well as history such as the tragic disaster . Dendrobium mine has strong links to the Community giving back wherever it can - making improvements to roads, paths, gardens etc. It liaises with the community, working with local residents and representatives to have a cohesive existence. The mine provides many valuable jobs to the area. Dendrobium Coal is used locally in our steel works and helps generate generous spending in our local economy.
Not having the mine operational would create many flow on negative effects on the community as a whole .

I am in support South 32s Dendrobium Metallurgical coal mine expansion as it guarantees the future of our steel making industry in the Illawarra. South 32 has done some great work in reducing impacts on water catchment and Aboriginal significant sites on the catchment surface in this new mine plan.
This project should have full support from everyone as this coal is used for steel making which will be required for construction of renewable energy infrastructure as humanity pushes away from Thermal coal in the future.