Mod 1 - Design Refinements

Moolarben is proposing to build a significant haul road right over the top of a ridge line, but then says it is compliant with noise and dust compliant limits. How can you divert major traffic movement directly over a hill, instead around the hill and not impact noise and dust? Really? The argument will be, "but our modelling predicts these results". Everyone knows that these models are subjective and rely on the input data being accurate. The manipulation of input data would be relatively easy to produce a "compliant" end result.

It looks like that major haul route is completely visible to the Ulan Rd but apparently has negligible impact on the visual aspect says Moolarben.. Really? Tell the real-estate agents trying to sell properties in the Cooks Gap area that these visual impacts are negligible. How have the property prices faired in the last 6 months in the local area? I'm glad someone is making money but unfortunately it is not the locals trying to sell their properties.

No significant impacts to the ecology? The open cut mining in the area is cutting the local bioregion to shreds especially the haul road routes. It is creating isolated pockets of vegetation that cannot sustain any viable fauna populations.
The ridgeline vegetation needs to stay in tact to provide the fauna migration paths through the Moolarben Valley. The haul road will obviously cause distribution to fauna connectivity and potentially lead to a loss of genic biodiversity and reduction in the sustainability of species population.

I do hope the planning department has a very close look at this proposal. I don't think Moolarben are actually proposing this route to be environmentally friendly. It looks like it might save them a buck, but cause major environmental and social disturbance.
Does this meet the guiding principles of the planning department?

I wish to lodge an objection to this proposal. As a resident in the area I am concerned about the increase in noise and dust levels should it go ahead. Please do not approve this project
Yours Sincerely Phyllis Setchell

I object strongly to this project as I am concerned for my health with the increased dust and noise. I have no confidence in the company complying with any regulations. Yours truly

After seeing a presentation from Bruce Birchall, I am extremely confident they have taken all environmental impacts into consideration.
I think the jobs it will sustain and create, out-way the minimal environmental impacts it will have.

I show 100% support for this project

After seeing a presentation from Bruce Birchall, I am extremely confident they have taken all environmental impacts into consideration.
I think the jobs it will sustain and create, out-way the minimal environmental impacts it will have.

I show 100% support for this project

The operations of Moolarben Coal are already having significant impacts on the life of my family. The noise from their current operations is causing sleep disturbance to my family and further expansions of the mine and this proposed change is likely to increase this noise and possibly dust onto my property.
The noise assessment for OC4 Modification does not consider the increased noise impacts of the height or gradient of the OC4 south west haul road. The noise from haul trucks will be greater having to climb up and down the ridgeline, also the noise model is based on scenarios in 2016 and 2018 that do not include mining operations in Pit 2. This is not representative of the noise levels from the mine.
The noise contours in App F1 and App F2 show my property to be within the 35dBA to 40dBA contours, the same as neighbouring property No 75 yet my property has not been given noise mitigation rights.
I don't believe its acceptable that not only is mine and my family's sleep disturbed by the operations but that Moolarben Coal find it acceptable to expect me to make calls to their hotline at all hours or the night and early morning to report their noise, at time having to wait up to 2 minutes to even speak to an operator!
I have been told by Moolarben Coal for the past 4 years that the noise generated by Stage 2 operations will impact my property and have had previous dealing with them to acquire my property, I have always been told that when the noise impact is too great for my family to function it will be acquired to which they now no longer wish to honour. Almost all my surrounding properties have been previously acquired except for 2, one of which has been granted acquisition rights and one which is slightly further away but also surrounded by Moolarben owned properties.
I am also concerned that the air quality assessment does not take into account the height of the OC4 south west haul road.
I strongly oppose this proposed change.

The back filling of the void adjacent to the Wollar Rd is a positive outcome. This will allow the area to be rehabilitated. The change to the haulroad location will improve the site water management. Water will collect at either end of the road within the mining areas. The use of the haulroad remains unchanged from original submission ie coal will conveyed for processing.

WVWAC are a Traditional Organization and Native Title Claimants. WVWAC are in the process or reregistering our claim. Previously whist having an active claim Moolarben coal excluded us and our cultural heritage specialists and Elders from all dealings with Stage 1. WVWAC have to date still been excluded from all Stage 1 and on that Basis as Native Title Claimants we Strongly object to all expansions of this mine as they have not negotiated and agreed outcome to our Cultural Heritage and Environmental concerns.

We received a copy of a CD from Moolarben Coal informing of an amendment to the alignment of OC4 South West Haul Road was made. this further states that there are No Aboriginal Heritage sites within or close proximity to the revised haul road alignment hence no material changes were required to the assessment.

Our Native Title Body and Cultural Heritage Corporation, Wellington Valley Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation have never been in this section and not been involved in identifying any heritage sites, we have no first hand knowledge as to if this is correct or not, only a statement from a mining company doing all they can do to expand.

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see attached PDF.

SUBMISSION ATTACHED

see attached PDF.

see attached PDF.

As attached