Mandalong Mine Extension

It is my firm belief that Mandalong Coal mine is a world class operation that makes up an integral part of the community of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle and also plays an important role in the broader economy of NSW. These contributions will continue with the granting of the Mandalong South mining lease.

Mandalong coal mine actively employees university students, TAFE students and apprentices through a wide range of traineeship, graduate and apprentice programs. These students are trained and gain experience at a world class mine while continuing their studies. This delivers engineers, surveyors, electricians, fitters and other skilled workers to the workforce that either stay with Mandalong or move on to other sites. This practical experience coupled with study delivers workers who are ready to make a valuable contribution to the workforce as soon as they graduate and this support for new skilled workers will continue with the Mandalong South Extension.

Mandalong coal mine provides permanent work to hundreds of employees and also supports hundreds of other employees in mining related industries. Almost all of these employees live locally in the Lake Macquarie / Newcastle region and the Mandalong South extension will allow for the economic benefits that this mine provides to local business economy to continue for many years to come.

The Mandalong South Extension will utilise a style of mining that will have minimal impact on the areas that are mined under. This has been shown in the first years of Mandalong where through extensive and innovative monitoring techniques the effects of mining can be very accurately predicted and managed. With this experience and technology the Mandalong South extension can be mined to ensure that there is minimal impact to the environment, both built and natural.

The Mandalong South Extension also allows for the continued stability and operation of the NSW coal fired power generation network. With dedicated conveyors running directly to the power station the Mandalong South Extension will be a critical supplier for this generator with minimal load on the NSW transport network.

These are just some of the reasons why the Mandalong South Extension should be approved. There are many more major and minor benefits to the local and broader community that cannot be covered in such a short submission. By approving this extension the Mandalong coal mine can continue to deliver benefits by utilising this valuable resource.

As a young employee of Centennial Coal, Mandalong Mine, I am looking forward to continuing my career in a supportive environment. The Mandalong South extension ensures I will be able to continue to learn and develop my skills as an electrician for years to come.

As an employee at Mandalong Colliery the South Extension Project is extremely important to me as it will ensure employment with the Mine upto 2035. This will quiet possibly see me into or close to retirement.
Also I would like to mention that with over 18 years of Mining experience Centennial Coal has stood out to me as the most safety driven mine I have worked for and with a great management team I would much hope my employment at this Mine will continue into the future.

To the Department of Infrastructure and Planning,
The Mandalong Southern Extension Project should be approved for the best interest of the local region and NSW as a whole. Mandalong is a major supplier to two major power-plants based in the Lake Macquarie area, providing electricity to thousands of households on the New South Wales coast. If the Mandalong Southern Extension Project will not be approved, the immediate effects from the closure of the mine and flow-on effects to the local economy would be devastating.

I have worked at the current Mandalong mine as a vacation student, allowing me to gain industry experience complimenting my Mining Engineering degree. The vacation work program is only one of many programs Centennial invests into to help educate and develop the next generation of workers. The denial of the application to the Mandalong Southern Extension Project would mean that youth would have to source jobs and training elsewhere, which would be a blow for job development in the Lake Macquarie Region.

During my time at the mine I became aware of the lengths that Centennial Coal goes to ensure that the impacts on the people, water resources and ecology of the Mandalong area are minimal. The extension of the mine would mean that the current environmental standards are kept, allowing mining, agriculture and nature reserves to coexist. The Mandalong South Extension project will therefore benefit the local economy, while conserving the agriculture and nature reserves of the Mandalong Valley.

I therefore fully support the Mandalong Southern Extension Project.

We, the Mannering Park Progress Association object to this expansion on the following grounds:-
1.The Greenhouse Gas emissions from 6MTpa of extra coal extracted for the next 21 years from 2018 plus fugitive methane gases, diesel in production and transport will further fuel climate change and make our air quality poorer .
2.There is no account for climate change variations in flow and intensity. for the extra groundwater extraction from 3.1ML per day in 2018 to 5.9ML per day in 2035-6, all in to an unnamed creek that feeds a swamp then Muddy Lake to Lake Macquarie, water contains heavy metals and salt. Creek already suffering chronic slight toxicity and the wetland ecosystem will be adversely affected.
3.Centennial coal show ubsidence between 0.5m to 1.5m across three creeks, Wyong, Moran and Mannering. Significant subsidence over the site, exacerbated by previous panel removals and relying on the conglomerate and sandstone overburden to hold across the panel spans to remain intact. These failed comprehensively against their approved plan for the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. The subsidence will affect native flora and fauna including a number of threatened species and residences. There is no plan for earth tremors which have been experienced here in the past and could add to the subsidence threat.
4.There is no mention that Centennial Coal's current workings have had a 90% failure rate for depressurisation and subsequent de-watering, data available in documents.
5.There is no rehabilitation plan for damaged land or waterways to note. Just because Centennial Coal own a lot themselves doesn't mean that they should not have to remediate damage that occurs to ecosystems on their land.
6. Aboriginal heritage significant sites will be compromised.
7. There is no replacement for the removal of nine hollow bearing trees.
8. An extra 115 jobs plus some more occasional contractors is not significant employment and dwarfs to insignificance against the renewable energy industry potential where it supported to proceed and expand.

I have worked at Mandalong / Cooranbong mine since it first opened. It has indirectly supported the local community & businesses in the Lake Macquarie area for some years. It also supplies coal to the local Eraring Power Station & without this I believe electricity costs would increase.
In my opinion as a local resident it is essential that this mine be able to expand fully as it employs in eccess of 300 people plus contractors

I object to this expansion on the following grounds:-
1.The Greenhouse Gas emissions from 6MTpa of extra coal extracted for the next 21 years from 2018 plus fugitive methane gases, diesel in production and transport will further fuel climate change and make our air quality poorer . I am already seeing the effects of climate change, I have children and grandchildren and know, based on the science that we must leave 80% of retrievable coal in the ground so we cannot keep approving companies to extract more coal. Let this mine close when its current lease expires in 2018 and give my family and others a chance to be ale to live on this world.
2.There is no account for climate change variations in flow and intensity for the increased groundwater, which contains heavy metals and salt, extraction from 3.1ML per day in 2018 to 5.9ML per day in 2035-6, all in to an unnamed creek that feeds a swamp then Muddy Lake to Lake Macquarie, . Creek already suffering chronic slight toxicity and the wetland ecosystem will be adversely affected.
3.Centennial coal show subsidence between 0.5m to 1.5m across three creeks, Wyong, Moran and Mannering. There is also significant subsidence over the site, exacerbated by previous panel removals and relying on the Munmorah conglomerate and sandstone overburden to hold across the panel spans to remain intact. These failed comprehensively against their approved plan for the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. The subsidence will affect native flora and fauna including a number of threatened species and residences. There is mention nor plan for earth tremors which have been experienced here in the past and would add to the subsidence threat. You can't compensate the loss either to residences or to the landforms and ecosystems which support a myriad of native life including threatened species of both flora and fauna.
4.There is no mention that Centennial Coal's current workings has had a 90% failure rate for depressurisation and subsequent de-watering. The data available in documents accessible by Government.
5.There is no rehabilitation plan for damaged land or waterways to note. Just because Centennial Coal own a lot of the land themselves doesn't mean that they should not have to remediate damage that occurs to ecosystems on their land.
6. Aboriginal heritage significant sites will be compromised. this is unacceptable in this day and age. Have we learnt nothing from our past? Where is our respect for our first inhabitants?
7. There is no replacement for the removal of nine hollow bearing trees. This must be part of the conditions should this expansion proceed.
8. An extra 115 jobs plus some more occasional contractors is not significant employment. Mechanisations could further reduce this number before 2035-6.

Please find attached Version 2 of my submission. It replaces an earlier copy lodged on 9/12//13 and contains extra information to be considered.

Thank you
Janine Rouvray

I work at Mandalong Mine and want to continue working here for a long time to come. I would find it hard seeking future employment being in my fifties.
Mandalong Mine is a major supplier of coal in the local area and keep the lights on in NSW.
If the extension didn't go ahead it would have a major impact on local shops and businesses in the area where I shop.
Mandalong Mine has always done the right thing and have a good record when it comes to extracting coal.

Mandalong Mine is respectful of the environment and the land owners in the community.
Mandalong Mine has a good track record of extracting coal and has a minimal impact on the environment while others do not.
Mandalong Mine is very supportive of community groups and is an active participant in charities.
Mandalong Mine strengthens the community it operates in through direct (mine operations) and indirect (workforce purchases) spending on local businesses.

I believe that the benefits of the Mandalong South Extension Project far out way the limited negatives that it may present.
As an employee of Centennial Coal Mandalong, like many others my job is vitally important to myself and my young family, without approval, the mine will be due to close in 2018, this would mean relocation out of the local area for me and family to find work. However, if it is approved the life of mine would be extended to 2035, allowing for us to potentially stay in the local area to see both my children through their schooling years and beyond. Much of my wage and the wage of other employees is re-injected back into the local community.
Centennial Mandalong is a critical supplier of coal to Australia's Largest Power station (Eraring), without the approval for the Mandalong South extension, Eraring Power station would have to either Train-in or Truck-in Coal from other mines. Because Mandalong's coal to Eraring is supplied via underground conveyor belts there is less dust and noise pollution then trucking or Training in the coal.
My current job role is as a Trainee Surveyor; this allows me to witness firsthand the very limited impact that subsidence has on local infrastructure. It also allows me to see how much time and resources Centennial Mandalong continually puts towards its environmental management plan. The proposed Mine plan for the Mandalong South Extension Project is designed to continue to minimize the impact to surface infrastructure and the environment.
Based on the examples above I strongly believe that the benefits of Mandalong South Extension Project far out way any limited negatives that may be present. As a result I believe the submission should be given Approval.

I am proud to be employed by Centennial Coal at Mandalong Mine, in a senior management position. I live with my family (wife and 4 children) in the northern Central Coast area.

Mandalong Mine is a longwall mine that has been designed around minimising subsidence impacts as opposed to maximising profit. Mandalong has a long track history ( currently mining its 15th longwall panel and 8 years) of undertaking longwall extraction with miminal imacts on the Mandalong valley and its community. The mine design used has been extensivly validated by this expereince

Like many people in the Lake Macquarie/Central Coast area, my parents established themselves in the area due to the coal fired power stations in this area. My fater worked for the Electricity Commission of NSW for his whole working life. These stations still provide the bulk of the states power reagrdless of the change in public opinion over the years, and, without them, NSW would not be where it is today.

Whilst some people may be against coal mining and coal fired generation, no suitable aternatives exist. Mandlaong produces a low sulphur, low ash energy coal which is ideal for efficient power generation. This coal is also valued in export market due to these qualities which redcue pollution impacts associated with coal fired generation.

Mandalong Mine is reagrded as a "world class" mining operation, due to its ability to operate and high levels of production and efficiny whilst minimising surface impacts to minimal levels.

Based on the minimal subsidence from the mining operation, and the recued pollution impacts from this high quality coal ( low sulphur/low ash) coal supply from mandalong is as "environmentaslly freindly" as any othe coal supply I am aware of, and is critical to NSW until other alternative energy sources are developed to commercial application.

If the southern extension project is not approved, the state will lose this source of environmentally friendly power, nearly 400 people will lose direct employement and the flow on will have a major impact to the local commuity that serves the mine and its employees.

Once again, I am proud to work at Centennial Coal's Mandalong Mine because it creates minimal impact on the environemnt and makes a very positive contribution to the local community and the state in many ways.

I strongly support the approval of this project

1. CLIMATE CHANGE
*The proposed expansion of this mega mine will produce 6Mtpa of coal for the next 21 years working 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Given the coal is high quality thermal coal, basing its CO emissions on 78% anthracite with full combustion, this coal mine alone will generate
another 8.58Mt of CO2 per annum during the life of the mine up to 2035-6. To prevent dangerous climate change we need to keep 80% of the available coal in the ground, let this
be one of the deposits.
*Greenhouse gas emissions added to this are the diesel used in production, fugitive gases and electricity. A trial to flare the methane emissions is not good enough and fugitive emissions must be captured and flared as part of the conditions, at least that reduces the danger of those emissions by a factor of 21. This is noted as a moderate risk in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
*The current working life of the mine finishes in 2018, there should be no more coal extracted from this mine after that date.

2. WATER RESOURCES
*Groundwater will increase from 3ML in 2018 to 5.9ML in 2035-6 per day. It is proposed to send this toxic salty mine water, laced with heavy metals, up to the Cooranbong exit and in to an unnamed creek before arriving in Muddy Lake which is a modest swamp that then feeds in to Lake Macquarie. This is noted in the EIS as a significant risk.
*There is already slight chronic toxicity to macro-invertebrates species and this will potentially increase the loads of heavy metals and salt discharged in to this unnamed creek. This is unacceptable particularly as the modelling accounts for the 1 in 100 year flooding only. It
does not account for the known behaviour of climate change which will mean those one in one hundred rain events will become more frequent and records will be broken. There is no plan to deal with the toxic overflow downstream of these events.
*Putting that much extra water daily into a system will inevitably change the ecosystem, stream banks will suffer and the Muddy Lake swamp will be too wet for too long adversely affecting the natural ecosystem.
*The alluvium across the project area shows unconfined shallow aquifers with the water table 1-3m below the ground level, aquifer thickness is less than 20m. These will only remain if the Munmorah conglomerate and sandstone units are not damaged by subsidence.
*There is a real risk of loss of groundwater from porous and fractured rock which will affect ecosystems and habitats for many endangered species of fauna and birds .
*Mining has impacted groundwater levels in deeper overburden rocks in the Mandalong Mine's current operations.

3. FLORA and FAUNA
*Nine hollow bearing trees will be removed with no plans to replace the loss on site with boxes or new plantings. This must be remedied.
*Flora and fauna are at risk over the entire site from loss of water and habitat due to subsidence risk and groundwater loss.
*Centennial Coal states it is a large land owner in the mine site area and appears to think that therefore it has no need for any rehabilitation on its own lands, this is unacceptable as any damage on its lands will affect flora and fauna, ecosystems and surrounding landholders.
Centennial Coal must have a rigorous plan of rehabilitation and restoration where possible across its own land as well.

4. SUBSIDENCE
*Noted in the EIS as a significant risk the loss of vegetation caused by subsidence and loss of habitat around the Mandalong South Surface Site.
*Noted as a moderate risk in the EIS is the effect of subsidence exceeding the safe, serviceable, repair standard requiring acquisition of properties. Given the extreme trauma
to landholders and home owners who go through the experience of mine subsidence and the battle for compensation from the Mine Subsidence Board, there should be a binding agreement with an agreed value negotiated now between the potentially adversely affected
landholders and Centennial Coal for adequate compensation before mining starts.
*Centennial Coal's figures for subsidence are:-
Longwall mining Panel width Subsidence range 160m 0.08 - 0.46m
180m 0.14-0.87m
200m 0.22-0.74m
Chain pillars subsidence is 0.1-0.94m or 0.12-1.1 plus 20%
Occasional surface cracking 0.27-1.34m
From the EIS diagrams, substantial sections of the following creeks will experience subsidence:-
Moran's Creek 1-1.5m
Mannering Creek 0.6-0.7m
Wyong Creek 0.5m
Zone A could experience continuous sub-surface cracking of 111-189m
Undermining significant faults may result in higher continuous fracturing, connectivity and water inflow in to mine workings. The project area will suffer from subsidence, tilting and bending which could result in sandstone boulders being dislodged downslope from the steep areas of the project.
There is the potential for extra subsidence above a previously extracted panel with compression of chain pillars.
This project is adjacent to the proposed development of the Wallarah 2 Coal mine.
The above are all given figures and quotes from the EIS. The EIS always left wriggle room for worse case situations and there can be no confidence in their figures given the history of
mine subsidence across the region most notably at Chain Valley Bay in the mid 80's but more alarmingly and recently the serious subsidence in the Mount Sugarloaf State Conservation Area that covers 23% of the area (Sydney Morning Herald 28th August 2013 Donna Page).
The Glencore West Wallsend Colliery, formerly Xstrata, was supposed to only experience subsidence over 84ha or 11% of the mine site and has approved plans that have
comprehensively failed with much greater than expected subsidence in its longwall 41 section.
This gives no confidence to the above figures which are already in the moderate to significant risk range.
The Mount Sugarloaf State Conservation Area has crumbled cliffs, destroyed waterways, a massive chasm 120m x 17m, a total hillside collapse, another depression where trees had
died and has impacted on the escarpment 160m above the mine.
The Mandalong South Extension Project is a deep coal seam at 480m and is relying on the massive conglomerate and sandstone overburdens remaining intact. There is no guarantee that this is what will happen. If the subsidence exceeds expectations, and there are too many instances of this being recorded in our very recent history, especially with longwall mining, there could be a domino effect of calamitous proportions. Creeks already suffering large
subsidence could be further compromised or, in fact, destroyed in the area. There would be a great deal of significant vegetation loss adversely impacting on the flora and fauna of the area including many endangered species.

5. ECONOMY
The project will bring an extra 115 jobs and 35 extra contractors during longwall relocations on current predictions with no further technological advances in mining further reducing the need for humans to be employed.
This is not significant employment when we know the Centre for Full Employment and Equity has assessed there to be more than 78 000 highly skilled jobs in the Renewable Energy industry were Australia to have the political will to go down that path.

6. ABORIGINAL HERITAGE
According to the EIS, a number of significant Aboriginal heritage sites will be compromised.
This is a totally unacceptable state of affairs and completely disrespectful to Australia's first inhabitants. No site should be touched, across such a vast area there must be other places that can be accessed that will not impinge on our Aboriginal heritage.

In conclusion, the precautionary principle should be invoked and the project rejected on environmental grounds of damaging sensitive Aboriginal heritage sites, unacceptable
increase in the volume of groundwater to be discharged and the potential for dangerous levels of toxic groundwater to escape, potential for serious subsidence across the site and
adverse contribution to climate change.

I support the Mandalong Mine South Extension proposal due to the following reasons.
I believe Mandalong Mine has a strong relationship with the local community. Employees such as I, live locally, spend our wages/salaries in the local community & enjoy the benefits that mining provides on a personal & community level. The flow on effect regarding local employment cannot be over looked. When I speak to people in the local area & they ask me where I work, some of them have no idea that a Coal Mine exist in their locality.
Mandalong Mine allows me to provide for my family.
Mandalong Mine has a reputation as a low environmental impact mine & has stringent subsidence conditions imposed on it.
Allowing the Mandalong South Project to occur will allow all Mandalong Staff & Employees a future beyond 2018 as well as providing employment, tax revenue & income to local communities, NSW & Australia.

Please read attachment 1 as my personal submission and appendix 2 as my ref. as appendix 2

Please read attachment 1 as my personal submission and appendix 2 as my ref. as appendix 2

I request that my name is withheld and any identifiers withheld from publication. The submission is confidential.

We also request that the details of the parties are withheld from publication.

Approving the mandalong south extension will keep millions of tonnes of coal, which is currently being transported underground to local powerstations, off local community roads and rail lines. The economic benefit to the local bussinesses that supply additional labour and services as well as the current workforce of over four hundred employees living and spending their money in the local communities will have far reaching consequences as many people would have to move out of the local area to continue on with there chosen vocation. As the mine is underground there is no large ugly mass deforestation or large unsightly hole left in the ground. The mining that has taken place up till now has done so with little impact on local communities and if left to progress on into the Mandalong South project will see a continuation of the high standards that have been achieved so far working in with the local community.I believe the project should be approved.

From my understanding and research into this Mandalong Southern Extension Project, it will allow coal extraction to occur into 2035 instead of the current lease of 2018.

Bolt Up Mining is contracted to Mandalong Mine providing services including secondary support, machine operations, production work and outbye services.

Bolt Up Mining employs 70 people and is a very family and community oriented business. Several employees have family members they work alongside in Bolt Up Mining. A lot of these families have only ever known mining. An extension of the mines life would extend the financial viability of these families and individuals that are employed by Bolt Up Mining.

In all the dealings I have had with Mandalong Mine, they have reinforced all environmental obligations rigorously as evidenced by their induction and assessment process. This is a testament to their dedication to make their mine a success through compliance at all levels of governmental and self regulation.

Bolt Up Mining has supported several local charities including childrens sports, Westpac helicopter, West Cycle Classic and a school. If the longevity of the Mandalong Mine was reduced and Bolt Up Mining lost the work there then the flow on effect would reach several levels of the community - sporting clubs, charity organisations, suppliers of goods, etc.

Historically, Mandalong Mine are known for their dedication and commitment to preserving the environment. While other sites have received adverse publicity, Mandalong has not. When incidents occur at other mine sites, they do not at Mandalong.

Mandalong Mine should be judged on its merits. It has a good track record or extracting coal under Mandalong Valley while protecting the people, water resources and ecology of the area.

MANDALONG VALLEY -EIS SUBMISSION

1...BACKGROUND AND STATUS;

We are the owners of 659 Mandalong Rd Mandalong a 25 acre property which we purchased in July 1993.
We attended the Mining Inquiry in 1998 and made submissions which were incorporated into the Conditions of Mining the Mandalong Valley.
In 1994 we constructed a top class turf wicket cricket oval and commenced playing competitive cricket there on 8 April 1995. To date we have played over 1000 games on the oval and have hosted overseas teams and International players. Presently we play over 50 games a year there.
Our cricket complex will be the subject of long wall mine 19 which is expected to be mined in September 2016. This mining application is being processed by the Department at the present time.
We have objected to our Oval and that part of Moran's creek which is on our property being mined as the projected mine subsidence will totally destroy our land use; our business as an elite sporting complex and the proper historical flow of Moran's Creek.
We have submitted our case to Centennial Coal and the relevant Department but are yet to be advised.
Since 1998 we have witnessed the effects of the coal mining and are aware of the environment within the Mandalong Valley.

2...CURRENT ENVIRONMENT.

The present situation consists of the land which has been mined and which hasn't.
We do not know the full effects of the recent underground coal mining in the valley as we have not made a study of it.
We would expect that the relevant Government authorities have done this and have properly applied that analysis to this enquiry pursuant to their statutory authority.
To date all of the underground mining has taken place from near the express way in a general southerly direction towards Browns Road which is still about 2 kilometres from our place.
What we do know is that ..
1...Mandalong road has been substantially affected in many places and requires constant attention and maintenance.
2...There has been many permanent wet land areas off the road created by subsidence. In many cases this has been in unimproved vacant land.
3...Turf farmer Noel Ferris believes that the methane gas leaking from the undergorund mining has caused his grass quality to suffer and greatly diminish returning bird flocks.
4...So far the flow of Moran's Creek to our property hasn't been affected as the mine is still some distance away.

3...LAND SUBJECT TO FUTURE UNDERGROUND MINING.

The unmined land to the south of the current mining operations has many highly significant features.
They are..
1....The wetlands.
2....The rain catchment area of the upper Mandalong Valley hills.
3....Moran' s Creek and its overflow areas towards the north and ultimately Lake Macquarie.
4....Mandalong road and adjacent surrounding inhabited properties.

4....PRESENT AND FUTURE MINE PLANS.
What really concerns us is the future mining plan.
Wherever underground long wall mining occurs there is no doubt it leaves substantial permanent subsidence. The extent of this permanent subsidence depends on the location of the surface land to the mine profile. The cross -sectional middle of the long wall is the biggest subsidence areas.
The current proposed mining plan is at right angles to the direction of Mandalong road and Moran's Creek. To date the long walls have been essentially on the western side of Mandalong road and Moran's creek so that there has been relatively small effects on the flow of the drainage system of the valley.
However from this point of time onwards the mine plan for the first time begins to mine THE UPPER CATCHMENT AREAS ; BOTH SIDES OF MORAN'S CREEK and especially the WETLANDS.
Why the mine now begins a path of a dog-leg to the left to it's previous path has never been explained to us. Yet this has devastating effects on the drainage dynamics and the environment.
On the evidence to date it can be suggested that the mine plan follows the line of Centennial Coal's land acquisitions in the Valley.
It has purchased Max's Horse stud just south of the wetlands as well as the land opposite along Mandalong road. It has also purchased the land previously owned by Trevor and Jean Whitaker which is at the end of its current mining plan.
The mining plan hence follows the line of properties acquired. Accordingly if this is correct the proposed mining plan is not being determined by where other good deposits of coal are found or sound environmental principles to protect our land heritage but a reaction to expeditious land purchases. A proper EIS of the area should be dependent on the innate environment and the effects on mining on that as a prime consideration rather than justifying or allowing a predetermined mining plan subject to artificial unrealistic conditions.

5...FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF UNDERGROUND MINING IN THE UPPER MANDALONG VALLEY.
As submitted the underground mining now for the first time significantly takes place AT RIGHT ANGLES TO MORAN'S CREEK and the WETLANDS i.e. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DRAINAGE FLOW. The predicted land subsidence in an corrugated manner across the main creek in this upper catchment area of rush water flow in times of heavy rain will cause the water to be diverted sideways and permanently flood presently unflooded land.
In dry times it will create a series of permanent pools of low lying mosquito infected dead or inert areas. What the effects on the level and presence of the ground water is anyone's guess.
On a permanent risk assessment basis these effects are totally environmentally unacceptable by anyone's standards. On a cost analysis basis the effects of mining the coal in this area is not worth the forever permanent environmental water/ flow damage.

6...RECCOMMENDATION.
Underground mining of coal should be excluded from beneath MORAN'S CREEK; THE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS OF THE UPPER MANDALONG VALLEY DOWN TO THE WETLANDS and for a safe distance beyond.
DAWN AND STIRLING HAMMAN
OWNERS 659 MANDALONG ROAD MANDALONG.
11/12/2013.
02-94168561/0408464041
[email protected]