McPhillamys Gold Project

I object and equally oppose McPhillamys Gold project-
Application Number SSD-9505; EPBC ID Number 2019/8421
Yes, we need economic growth but not at the cost of a community. Every community makes up millions of threads that creates this state and nation, without your community you have broken the very thread of Australias rural life. A sustainable inclusive economic project that will enhance growth with no loss, contamination of water land an air or community is paramount.

The core of this project is about water. No water, then no community. We see across this great state the devastation creeping its way through hundreds of communities with drought. Yes we have had droughts before, so why is that we still have so many communities with no water. Lack of long term planning in the past and will be for the future unless we have sustainable infrastructure, that will support its community and sustainable projects.

Future planning to ensure is to have a economic sustainable plan that is not reliant on or reduced need for water, reduce contamination of land and emissions. To care for our country and maintain into the future.

Julie Favell

GROWING UP ON THE BELUBULA
Being born and raised in Carcoar which sits on the banks of the Belubula, I was lucky enough to have my family home back onto this river. I have so many fond memories of the river, cooling off in summer with a few other local kids, my Dad teaching my brother I how to fish as well as barbeques on Christmas. These memories are so special to me as a Carcoar local and one day in the future I hope to provide the same opportunities to my children.

RECREATION AND TOURISM
Only a small drive North East is Carcoar Dam- during the warmer months is bustling with young families and grey nomads, all who enjoy the dam and stimulate the local economy. Local school Kinross Wolaroi use the dam for rowing practice, the dam also has a sailing club which run a program for people with disabilities as well as Central West locals kayaking, fishing and water skiing.

WATER SECURITY
Now more than ever water security should be taken seriously, over 12 months ago I visited a small town in far North-West NSW where the river had almost run dry and the kangaroos were too poor to jump fences- getting there feet caught and hanging until they died. The town was baron the the locals were depressed with despair. It would break my heart if my little town turned out that way because a big mining company plugged the springs the feed my river or polluted what was left of it during the drought.

I firmly believe this project should not go ahead, our river is far more valuable than the recourse Regis will be removing from the ground. The water is life for the farmers, locals, tourists and the wildlife, gold is excess- money in the hip pocket of big business through compromising our “life”.
I have seen the Belubula river in flood where the low level bridge could not been seen and the flats either side of the river were covered in water, I have seen my river in drought where the water sits stagnant but one thing I hope I never have to see is a polluted river or dam- the kids will no longer play, the fish, the ducks, yabbies and the birds will slowly disappear, the farms down stream will no longer have a water source for the cattle, the school kids, the grey nomads and the disabled will no longer have a safe place to gather and socialise- these may seem like small, insignificant things to a big business but it is what makes a community special, it is the bare necessities as a human, in the end it is our right to water- clean water.

Having read much of the project details and having entered into communications with the McPhillamy's local representative, my concerns have not been alleviated. Essentially they are based on the following:
Gold mining has a terrible track record of polluting with heavy metals that cannot be further broken down in the environment by remediation methods. Mercury is the main culprit, but also Cyanide poisoning has commonly occurred.
Water table damage is almost inevitable with these sorts of mining activities. Needless to say most surrounding farmers and residents rely on groundwater and the risk is unacceptable.
The short term gains of this project do not offset the risks and impact. While gold is an essential material in the manufacture of many essential items, much is consumed by non-essential applications. More needs to be done to retrieve and re-use gold that is already in circulation. There are jobs in that. Mining is not necessary at this time.

I support this proposed blayney mine. I’ve been living here in blayney for the past 2 years and believe the town could all benefit from the mine. I’ve worked in West Wyalong for the past 2 years and have seen how much the town has benefited from having a gold mine there and the towns population has increased too. Blayney needs this. For me personally, I’ve never been able to work this close from home and with a baby on the way this would be perfect for us.
If the mine doesn’t go ahead there’s no reason for us to stay any longer and I think it’ll be the same for other young families. This mine will breath new life in to the town.

I have been informed that there has been no official/ effective transportation of the natural wildlife that resides in the proposed area. Koala's and other beloved Australian wildlife call this area there home and I would request that we relocate these animals before their homes are demolished and they are killed directly or indirectly as a result of our mining escapades. Noise pollution and general pollution are also a large concern that I hope is being addressed. Does our government care about the wildlife or are they just becoming collateral damage in your bid to build the economy?

This mine will have devastating impacts on the environment, the native animals, including koalas and birds and the local farmers who live in the area. Water will be polluted, property values will go down and the town of Blayney will not be a pleasant town to visit. The local farmers will be impacted greatly with their water resources being polluted and their day to day lives will be changed due to having to live with loud noises and toxic substances polluting their properties. After the mining is finished, the environment will be destroyed, land will be worthless and many animals will lose their lives. The koalas that are released in that area will die due to their living environments being destroyed and poisoned. Soil and underground water sources will be contaminated from the chemicals being released from the mine. As we are in an extreme drought in NSW, the water being used and polluted will cause locals to relocate their lives and devastate the local community. We should be supporting our small local communities, however, this mine will destroy the community and its environment.

We live in Carcoar. My wife and I are 64 and have lived in the region all our lives. We live the beautiful Carcoar valley where we have built our house and we are part of the lay community that runs the Retreat house in Carcaor called the Shalom House of Prayer. Our concerns with this project are:
1) The negative impact such a mine would have on the pristine environment of the Carcoar river valley and on the associated tourism industry.
2) That having a gold mine at the head land where the springs that feed the Belubula River is a terrible risk not worth taking for the possible benefit of a few more jobs in the district.Too many times in history has shown that taking such risks often end in environmental and economic disasters for the regions involved.
3) The negative impact on the sports fishing in the river. There Belubula river is a breeding river for brown trout.

This mine will destroy the environment around the mining area. Water will be polluted and local wildlife will be affected. Koalas are released around this area and these animals will die as a result of the toxic environment the mine will create. The local farmers will have their land devalued and their water sources will be corrupted and polluted. Please do not do this to our local people and wildlife!!

We need farms not mines. This project is greed driven Shame on you.
The impact on the environment will be far reaching not to mention what you are doing to the families that farm this land.

I have concerns regarding the impact of this proposed gold mine on the fledgling tourism industry in the surrounding small villages and communities. I have only recently moved to Carcoar to set up headquarters for my boutique local food and wine tourism company here and to open a 'destination dining' restaurant, which is hoped to help further increase tourism and overnight visitation to the village.

The Belubula River is currently pristine and one of the key attractions for the village of Carcoar, for both residents and visitors. To even consider potentially polluting it is beyond belief. I’m also concerned about large trucks carrying dangerous goods on country roads, and the risk to visitors to the region who may not be confident on these roads.

In the three months I have become a resident in the area, I have not met one person who thinks this proposed project is a good idea, and I would very much like to join the growing chorus of residents who would like the appropriate government representatives to reconsider any small benefits versus the obvious high risks this project entails.

With thanks, Kelly

This mine is located at the headwaters of the Belubula river. The Belubula river supplies drinking water to our community. I object to the pit that this mine will leave behind, it's tailings 'storage facility' (dam) and all the other associated risks to our groundwater and drinking water. I object to the dust that will be thrown up into our air and the toxic legacy this mine will leave behind for future generations to deal with. Not only is the tailings dam a toxic legacy for future generations to contend with, it is also too high a risk to everyone downstream, given its proximity to the Belubula river. Prime agricultural land will be lost to this proposed mine and the impact of this proposed mine on local wildlife will be significant. Our river is very sensitive, our health and our local environment should be considered first and foremost. Clean water and good farming land should be preserved. Finally, this mine will have a negative impact on tourism and other local enterprises such as beekeeping and farming. This mine will damage the long term environmental and economic conditions of our area.

I object to the multiple opportunities for pollution from the mine site into the Belubula River by mine waste, tailings, acid mine draining both during the mines usage and for hundreds of years after completion. These are too greater risks to the water supply for the region and the natural environment.
I object to transport hazards, processing of arsenic rich ore, reduced water flow to the Belubula, pollution of local rainwater supplies by dust and fumes.
I object to dangers associated with possible spills, dust, air and land pollution and the effect of noise and light pollution in the area.
I do not support this mine going ahead.

To Whom It May Concern.

Puma Energy are a National supplier of fuel products to all industry sectors including Government, Mining, Transport, Agriculture, and Marine. Puma Energy have invested significantly in Australia since our market entry in 2013. Puma Energy currently operates and supplies over 400 retail service stations in metropolitan and regional areas, and delivers to more than 4,000 commercial customers nationwide. Our workforce of more than 1,400 employees is focused on commercial supply relationships, retail operations, terminal and depot operations and providing logistics services to our customers.

For a mining operation such as described by Regis for the McPhillamys Project, we would envisage that in order to service that contract we would allocate 1x full time B-Double road train and 3x full time drivers. Also supporting the logistical task would be 4x Delivery Schedulers, 1x Health and Safety Advisor, 1x Fleet Maintenance Manager, 1x Driver Supervisor, and 1x Manager.

In order to meet our commercial growth targets over time it is important that new enterprises are initiated to replace older enterprises that conclude, and to grow the market size across all sectors.

Puma Energy strongly supports the McPhillamys Project and intend to bid aggressively for that supply contract if and when the project commences. Puma Energy provides important competition for fuel products in this important industry sector.

Best Regards,
Mark Ostwald
Strategic Development Manager
Puma Energy
[email protected]
0408 841 704

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