Dendrobium Mine Extension Project

The mine is very important to not only our family but the whole local community.

I am deeply concerned that this project will physically damage a significant Sydney water catchment area degrading water quantity and quality with consequent impacts on biodiversity, water security and koala habitat. The project also poses negative outcomes for indigenous heritage and increase in carbon emissions.
I strongly oppose this project as it is detrimental to our shared future.

Historical and ongoing pollution issues of nearby water systems and wetlands.
Continued breach of Environmental obligations and damage to local ecosystems.
Extreme risk of polluting the drinking water of a large population.

I oppose the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (SSI-33143123) for a multitude of significant reasons outlined in this submission. They include its previous denial by the Independent Planning Commission and the rank unfairness and waste of yet again repeating the process for the benefit of the influential company South 32. This reflects poorly on the Government processes and is yet again an example of State Capture by corporate interests.
I have provided some 14 detailed reasons in the attachment to this end.
The long-term benefits of sustainable water supply and protected Upland swamp lands in water catchments is required. There is also the need to cease the Sydney anomaly of longwall mining in publicly owned water catchments. By refusing this proposal the NSW Minister for Planning will be one step better towards this inevitable outcome.
I therefore request a rejection of the proposed Dendrobium Mine Extension and the meaningful preservation of the water catchment vital for Sydney’s future.
Yours Faithfully
Ian Hill

I oppose the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (SSI-33143123) for a multitude of significant reasons outlined in this submission. They include its previous denial by the Independent Planning Commission and the rank unfairness and waste of yet again repeating the process for the benefit of the influential company South 32. This reflects poorly on the Government processes and is yet again an example of State Capture by corporate interests.
I have provided some 14 detailed reasons in the attachment to this end.
The long-term benefits of sustainable water supply and protected Upland swamp lands in water catchments is required. There is also the need to cease the Sydney anomaly of longwall mining in publicly owned water catchments. By refusing this proposal the NSW Minister for Planning will be one step better towards this inevitable outcome.
I therefore request a rejection of the proposed Dendrobium Mine Extension and the meaningful preservation of the water catchment vital for Sydney’s future.
Yours Faithfully
Ian Hill

I am making this submission to state my strong objection to The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (SS1-33143123).
The world is phasing out coal. The damaging impact of climate change to communities and ecosystems around the world is happening now. It seems farcical for a government to extend a coal project out to 2041 with the overwhelming evidence that shows the impact burning fossil fuels has on the changing climate.
The following points should be read within the framework of the recent Federal Election. The inaction and apathy of the Federal Liberal Government regarding climate change was a key reason they were ejected from office in a big way. With an upcoming State Election, the State Liberal Government should reflect on this and the impact this decision will have on their capacity to be re-elected.

- Water is the most important resource we have. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. Avon Reservoir supplies water to over 310,000 residents and businesses in the Illawarra region. With this potential mine expansion, it will come within 1000m of his reservoir. This is an absurdity and puts the profits of a company over the viability of a community. The Government will be judged on such a decision.

- Communities want investment in clean, renewable energy. Investments that will provide zero emissions energy for generations to come and hopefully peel back the damage caused to the environment since the Industrial Revolution. This expansion does the exact opposite. The expansion would result in 88 million tonnes of CO2-e of GHGs and make it the fourth highest emitting coal mine in NSW. You can't honestly believe that this makes sense.

- One argument South 32 continue to - fallaciously - spruik is the jobs boom that will inevitably occur if this expansion does proceed. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur and masks a broader problem in a veneer of opportunity and wealth. Jobs within the coal industry will not be relevant in the future, and we need to begin the process of re-skilling workers within this field. Renewable energy will create more long-term and sustainable jobs.

I am in strong objection to this mine expansion. The outcome of this will directly impact the way I vote and my motivation to persuade everyone I know the devastating impact this Liberal Government is having on the environment.

To the NSW Government - Major Projects,

I find it astounding that consideration is being given to extending the Dendrobium Mine.

What I find most concerning is the disregard for the putting our most precious resource at risk: water. Why is Sydney the only city in the work that would allow longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment? I cannot fathom how this is even a consideration when we are fully aware of the damage that mining induced subsidence can have on the watercourses and swamps that supply our drinking water reservoirs through metals dissolving and leaching into this water.

In addition to this, I cannot fathom why in a world desperately needing to transition to net zero why this would be approved. Linking and declaring the expansion as State Significant Infrastructure to Port Kembla Steelworks is also dubious as Bluescope Steel has already made provisions for purchasing and transporting coal from other mines and has also secured considerable Federal and State funding to make this transition to low or zero carbon steel production.

Exacerbating our existing climate crisis through fugitive methane emissions only highlights the need to oppose this expansion to avoid it potentially becoming the 4th highest emitting coal mine in NSW (based on the average Scope 1 emissions - assuming flaring). Why would we permit this when the International Energy Agency - in their Net Zero by 2050 report - has called for the "elimination of all technically avoidable methane emissions by 2030"?

Ultimately, this expansion is taking us in the wrong direction at a time when we need to mobilise every available resource and technology at our disposal to avoid further environmental damage and also avoid continuing to jeopardise the long term safety of our communities and families.

With hope for a cleaner and healthier future,

Kate Fitzgerald

I object to the Dendrobium Mine Expansion because Bluescope Steel had already made provision for purchasing and transporting coal from other mines that are not under a drinking water catchment, and has also secured considerable Federal and NSW Government funds to investigate transition to low- or zero-carbon steel production. Approving an expansion that will cause further permanent damage to the drinking water catchment, upland swamps and cultural sites is unacceptable and irresponsible. We should prioritize our publicly owned drinking water catchment which will better serve the community in tact, than the interests of a privately owned coal mine with a long track record of causing environmental harm - for example the ongoing pollution from brine waste water in Allens creek, the Brandy and Water Creek coal sludge spill and existing damage that has led to drying out and pollution of upland swamps, directly caused by South 32 Longwalls. Remediation efforts of this damage have so far failed and the pollution will continue for generations to come, as well as drying out causing irreversible changes to ecology of these habitats. Its not worth it.

I think this will continue to provide the local communities with jobs. The coal is very good in quality and helps us make steel. We are also continually managing the processing of the coal to ensure less waste is made and the highest yield is achieved. I support this project and genuinely feel that it will continue to help the local region in terms of tangible and non-tangible benefits.

The project is Environmentally unsound. The water catchment is too valuable to continue mining under. Indigenous sites have already been damaged by subsidence and more will be out at risk. It is time the environment comes before money.

I strongly object to extension of the Dendrobium Mine because I have personally seen the horrendous effects such mining can have on our natural world through subsidence caused by mining under an area.

Additionally, mining should never be allowed under a water catchment area. The profits of a mining company should never be given priority over a drinking water supply, particularly when it is coal being mined.

I support the Dendrobium mine extension project as Illawarra Coal has provide a safe and reliable job for me and my family for over a decade. The Mining industry has provided me with so many opportunities both in my career and financially. I am a home owner with five children all attending school in the local region, playing sport, attending events and spending money with local businesses.
The Dendrobium mine plays a significant role in the economy in the Illawarra and the greater NSW area. South32 are responsible operators and are diligent in the way they go about business.

I work at Port Kembla Coal Terminal and support this project. Reducing the longwall mine area by 60% is a great outcome to preserve water catchment

The Denrobium extension project is important to the future of the region. The project will create extra short term employment and guarantee long term employment for hundreds of locals and businesses.

I support the continuation of Dendrobiun Mine, it is bread and butter for thousands of Illawarra families not to mention the flow on affects to other services in other regions.

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I am writing to object to the Dendrobium Mine extension.

It is unacceptable to have a coal mine operating in Sydney and Wollongong's water catchment. Water is our most precious natural resource and our governments must be protecting our drinking water in every way possible.

I also oppose this mine extension on the grounds of climate impacts as we will already find it extremely difficult to meet the 1.5 degrees global warming target. Our government must take responsibility for scope 3 emissions for the coal extractions that it approves.

Please reject this application and protect this critical drinking water catchment.

Sincerely,
Charlotte McCabe

I previously objected to this environmentally disastrous proposal and was reassured when it was rejected.
Water is the most precious and irreplaceable resource in our dry continent and Wollongong and Sydney rely of this catchment for safe drinking water.
Australia is committed to becoming a fossil fuel free economy. This huge challenge can be met with more advanced and efficient renewable technology. The proposed extension to the Dendrobium Mine is NOT compatible with our State, National and International commitment to clean energy and will set back our zero emissions targets which other Australian wholesale and retail energy users will meet.

The Dendrobium mine was very recently rejected by the IPC. The IPC knew this mine would supply coal to Blue Scope steel. It knew that the company's viability, and jobs involved, was very important to the state. With three very experienced commissioners putting in an enormous amount of work, and looking at all options, they decided the risks of this mine outweighed any positives. Their enormous amount of tax-payer work should not be disregarded.
1. Blue scope steel has other options.
It is in discussion with renewable hydrogen makers (with government support), and looking at more environmentally friendly options
Australia is a massive exporter of coking coal, there are other options to purchase. Blue scope has already made provision for purchase and transport from other suppliers.
A close supply of coal is not a deal changer and is not reason enough to compromise our water supply
2. Sydney water has objected strongly to this project.
The loss of water to Sydney's catchment will be enormous. THIS WILL BE ONGOING FOR EVER. There is no remediation, and no known way to stop the loss of water. This is the major water supply for a city of 5 million people and growing. For a government to reduce water supply by so much for so long, for 20 years of coal is very short sighted and not looking after the future of the population.
3. The ecological damage from this mine is enormous.
The destruction of long wall mining, on nationally significant upland swamps is well documented. The cracking of rock base does untold damage to streams, the local vegetation, and therefore the local fauna. This should be a veto in itself. Our extinction rate in NSW is significant.
4. Bushfire
Draining swamps and creeks also increases bushfire risk enormously. Our bushfire risk is already increasing dramatically with climate change: to add to it would be criminal.
4. Methane emissions
It has been documented that this coal seam has very high methane content. These will escape as fugitive emissions. Methane emissions are 25 times worse than CO2 and will drive up NSW emissions making it much harder to reach our 2030 and 2050 targets. This will put pressure on other industries to cut more.
5. Refusal of South 32 to use the pillar model
This would actually increase employment and decrease damage, shows they are not really concerned about employment opportunities or the environment, just profit.
Conclusion:
There are numerous reasons this mine should not go ahead. The IPC weighed them all up and decided it was not in the state's interest for it to proceed. Reducing the size of the mine does not change any of the facts; just the quantities of destruction.

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project will maintain thousands of jobs in NSW and secure the long term economic future for the Illawarra region.