Mandalong Mine Extension

I offer my support to this project which will secure local jobs within a struggling industry and ensure the efficient and maximisation ot our natural resources to the benefit of all NSW

I fully support the extension of Mandalong Mine into the Southern Lease area for the following reasons.

I have worked at Mandalong Mine since 2002 and would like to see Mandalong Mine continue operations until approximately 2035 for the benefit of the 300+ employees currently employed at the mine and for those who will be employed in future years.

I believe that Mandalong Mine has an excellent record in managing the extraction of coal in the Mandalong area and in minimising the effects of surface subsidence. I am a keen mountain bike rider and ride regularly in the Watagan Mountains in areas above the mine workings. At no time when riding have I witnessed any detrimental effects to the surface from mine subsidence. I feel confident that the Mandalong Mine extension will maintain this good track record of minimising environmental impacts into future areas.

I live within 15 minutes of Mandalong Mine and travel through the township of Morisset daily. I utilise Morisset regularly for purchasing things like petrol, groceries, bike gear, hardware and various other items. If Mandalong Mine were not to continue operating I would not be able to continue to support the local retailers in Morisset.

I know that the majority of coal mined from Mandalong Mine is used for power generation by the Eraring and Delta power stations. This coal needs to contine to be recovered for the greater benefit of the people of New South Wales.

Please find letter uploaded.

Corky's Sustainable Energy has worked with Centennial Coal for a number of years. In that time we have found that the Centennial Coal Staff are very conscientious and diligent in their pursuit of reduced coal mine emissions and improved safety. In our experience, the greenhouse gas reduction project we are doing in partnership with Centennial Coal, at the Mandalong mine, illustrates the importance of Centennial Coal as an industry leader and good corporate citizen. Through our induction process with the mine we understand the effort that Centennial Coal maintains to be a good neighbour and honour the environment.

Corky's is a small Newcastle based company with specialist staff trying to help make coal mining safety and cleaner. Through Centennial Coals support we can employ 8 people pushing the boundaries to improve mine safety and environment. We are grateful to Centennial Coal for our work. By working with Centennials prefer suppliers we understand how the existing mine supports local jobs and companies. Our Corky's employees also live locally.

If based on past demonstrated performance I believe the proposed South Mandalong mine will be well managed, with proper regards and respect for their neighbours, the environment, safety and the wider business community. We wish their proposed project well.

Quarry Mining is an Australian manufacturer of drilling consumables for the underground coal mining industry and employs 30 staff locally and uses over 30 different local SME's to provide supply, manufacturing and freight services. Mandalong Mine and Centennial Coal are one of our largest customers and a very strong business partner. We also take pride in donating profits of our Australian manufactured products to support local charities such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Books in Homes for our local primary school. We also support many local sporting clubs and charities such as starlight, Movember and Ocsober. Without growth of our underground coal mining industry, Quarry Mining, its staff and their families and the wider local community will absalutely be detrimentally affected.

Centenial / Mandalong Have provide employment for me for the past 10-15 years. I am 52 years of age and support 2 famalies with a roof over there heads. Without the southern extension going ahead I am looking a maximum of 4 to 5 yrs employment and at my age finding other means of employment in the current economy would be near to impossible. I would also like to see it go ahead because it would create jobs for our children in years to come which would be great for our local economy

To Whom It May Concern,

I am currently employed and have been working at Centennials Mandalong Colliery for the past 5 years and I'm voicing my support for the proposed extension to the Mandalong South lease.
Mandalong Colliery has mined 14 longwall blocks to the highest environmental standard with minimal subsidence and employing hundreds of people providing their families with an income contributing a much needed boost to the local community and it's economy.
This proposed extension would allow my employment to continue at Mandalong while offering me the opportunity to further my career in the mining industry and providing my family with a income.
I hope the Mandalong Southern Extension Project is approved because it is vital to the prosperity of my family and the local community.

Yours Sincerely,

Glenn Harcourt.

I work as a fitter at Mandalong and my family rely on the mine for our livlihood. I grew up in Lake Macquarie and want to raise my children here. It is important for the area that the mining and power generation industry are allowed to continue so that there is opportunity for employment for us and our children.
Because I work there I know that Mandalong have very strict systems and procedures for protecting the environment around us and that we mine with very little impact to the surface. We are in a good location to supply coal to the local power stations and we are set up so that we don't have to truck coal on public roads which is a big advantage for local residents.

I live in the area that is going to be mined. The EIS does not allay my fears that after mining the road I use to get to Morisset will be cut by floodwater more often and that noise from the proposed Surface Site will ruin the peace and quiet that I now enjoy.

I am a current employee at Centennial Coal's Mandalong Mine and am writting this submission in support of the proposed Mandalong South mine extension.
I feel that Mandalong mine makes a large contribution to the community directly, employing over 400 local people permanently.There are many other businesses and service providers in the region who are also used by the mine.
Mandalong mine has proved itself to be a very environmentally and community aware business, working hard to minimise any negative effects on it's surroundings.With direct conveyer belt access to Delta and Erraring Power stations.The mine limits any need for coal to travel by road.
In my opinion and for the reasons I have stated above,feel the Mandalong South project would be a win win situation for everybody and would just be an extension of an effective and proven mining lease.

I have been in the mining Industry for over 25 years with Mandalong being the most environmentally aware site I have worked at. I am currently employed by Centennial Coal at Mandalong where I have been working for the past nine and a half years during this time I have found Mandalong's Management team to be proactive in every aspect of the mining process from exploration to development and Longwall extraction.
Not only has Centennial provided a safe place of employment, supporting my family the community Centennial looks to the future, with plans securing jobs, looking after community concerns and the environment as well as providing a future for our children. The Mandalong Extension would secure my job providing peace of mind for my family, the continuation of local schooling for my children and ability to remain living in the area. Mandalong proven track record of compliance and consultation should speak for itself to insure continuation of mining. Thank you

They have a good safety history .
They support employment directly and flow on effect to surrounding suburbs .
Support community events

I wish to support the go ahead of the mine as it is beneficial
to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle for jobs and future mining for our kids. The mine has not done any or to much damage in the area like mine subsidence etc. We need this mine to keep operating for employment to the workforce the contractors like Bolt up mining , Minova , Cleaning company ,Suppliers etc Its all a domino afect for as jobs go in the Newcastle and Hunter area.
And most of all gives us power to our homes and busineses from this coal. The mine also does alot for the community,sponsers etc.

I wish to raise the following concerns re the above application.
1. My attendance at the last community meeting informed me that the noise of constructiong this mine will be ongoing 24/7 over a period of 18 months. This is totally unacceptable for residents living nearby. It is all very well to monitor the noise and to say it comes within set levels but Mandalong residents are not used to any construction noise at all - it is very quiet here and therefore any noise is a constant irritation. I know this from drilling which occurred close by to my residence.
2. The same can be said for operational noise and its impact on residents day and night.
3. This location is a flood valley and mine subsidence will impact causing ponding. As residents rely on Mandalong Road for access - bearing in mind there is only one way in and one way out, how will residents be able to access their properties with increased flooding?
4. The soils in this area are dispersible. Any break in the surface or reduction of vegetation results in erosion. Of particular concern is the possibility of tunnel erosion which endangers horses and their riders as well as livestock. This can be evidenced by a short venture into the Watagan Forest along Prickly Ridge Road for example where bikes and vehicles have caused massive erosion due to the interruption of the soil surfaces.
5. The relocation of Transgrid TL24 will directly affect some landholders. Clearing will have to occur for this relocation. This has not been considered in this EIS.
6. The social impact of mining has had a huge impact on the social fabric of the Mandalong valley. Where once we would hold Xmas parties for almost 100 people, now we would be lucky if 20 attended. The community has diminished in both size and spirit. This EIS document fails to address any social impact caused by mining.
7. Increased mining activities bring increased traffic along Mandalong Road over a greater distance as the mining activities extend up the valley. This road is already busy and is not designed to accommodate increased traffic flow, especially considering the number of driveways leading from it.

I wish to add my support to the Mandalong south project.iam presently employed at Mandalong colliery and live in the lake Macquarie area ,with my kids attending school here.the extension of the mine will help not me and my family economically but will also inject much needed jobs and cash flow into our local community,for a long time into the future.
the company already must adhere to many stringent environmental rules and conditions of which I am certain they will continue to obey.i have worked in many underground operations since the1980`s and I`ve never seen any one take environmental issues as seriously as centennial does.

I have worked at this mine for 7 years and its continued operation means that we will still have local employment and the ability to spend our money in the local area.

As a teenager I lived at Mandalong and I have fond memories of hearing the soft sounds nature as I was going to sleep. I think that the Mine should not allowed to spoil this peaceful amenity with noise from their plant.

I am concerned about the proposed addition to Mandalong mine, I enjoy the peace and quiet on my visits there and walking along the waterways. The beautiful creeks, rivers and native wildlife are a valuable resource we should retain.

Mandalong Mine has always considered the community in planning and implementing the mining process in a successful way .
The Plan for Mandalong South also includes similar controls to manage subsidence to acceptable levels
The local community benefit due to the expenditure of both the mine and their employees .
Centennial are a responsible company who have high moral standards for the local community and I am proud to work to be part of that responsible culture
I would like to include a positive submission in favour of the proposed Mandalong South project

Centennial Mandalong has provided a place of work for me for the past 5 years.
My father worked for Centennial at Mandalong's predecessor Cooranbong and in that time I have never known Cooranbong/Mandalong to have significantly impacted the surface through mining.
The mine design is centred around minimal impact to the surface features and environment.
I know that Mandalong supports the local community through large amounts of sponsorship and the State benefits greatly from the royalties that are paid.
My family has lived in the Lake Macqaurie area all of my life and Centennial have been apart of that life for its entirety (My father, mother and brother in law have worked for Centennial for the past 30 years).
Just as Centennial helped my support my parents through my child hood Id like to think the Mandalong South Project will help me support my young family for the years to come.