MOD 11 - water management during MPPS outages

Too close to the national park and potential negative impacts on drinking water, biodiversity and cultural heritage.

This modification proposal must be refused consent as it will cause continuation of large unauthorised discharges of mine waste into Sydney’s drinking water catchment. The data in EnergyAustralia’s water licence compliance report of 2024 reveals that >5GL mine waste were released from Thompsons Creek Reservoir last financial year.
We need a broad ranging EPA inquiry into Centennial Coal’s operations in the western Blue Mountains region to identify the most effective measures to eliminate, and/or minimise and adequately cleanse over 50 ML/day of mine water discharged from its coal operations.
Instead of planning to continue its existing environmentally unsustainable practices, Centennial Coal should be developing and submitting proposals to close down its operations and undertake environmental restorations.

I object to this project because discharging water from a coal mine into creek and river systems are disastrous for the environment.
For too long coal mines have polluted the earth. The earth is being destroyed by global warming and fossil fuels are a main contributor to this destruction.
This is a proposal to further pollute the environment and put in danger the drinking water of millions of People should be refused.

see attachment

Mr Keith Muir
48 Carlton St
Katoomba 2780

To whom it may concern,

Last financial year, almost half of Centennial Coal’s mine waste produced from its Angus Place and Springvale mines* (5.525GL) was discharged from TCR into Sydney’s drinking water catchment. Over half of this discharge was without consent or pollution licence.

The proposed deletion of Condition 6A: would remove from the cosent defined term "partially treated mine water", a transfer volume, and a time restriction for such transfers to Thompsons Creek Reservoir (TCR).

Proposed Condition 6B for Mt Piper Power Station outages: does not have either a volume or time restrictions on the proposed transfers to TCR. The Condition proposal just states "transfers of water". It may be arguable that the water quality of transfers is somewhat regulated by salinity in the TCR of 650EC (proposed Condition 6B(c)), but under the proposed conditions all kinds of unfiltered dirt and toxic metal precipitates may be in the transfer water and not exceed 650EC.

Recall that last year during the 15 day emergency, Centennial transferred 104.71ML/day# of mine waste, most likely this was not treated or partially treated waste. Proposed consent modification 11, appears to permit transfers of untreated mine waste directly from the Springvale and Angus Place mines.

Given the evidence of >5GL of discharges last financial year, Centennial Coal apparently seeks to convert its waste management system from an industrial reuse in a power plant to a reuse in drinking water without effective and adequate pollution controls. Centennial wants to change its zero-discharge mine water management to a discharge (sometimes with dilution) system.

Centennial has no approval to discharge its mine waste on a regular bases but has been doing so for at least a year.

Proposed Springvale Water Treatment Plant consent modification 11 should be refused as it would permit unlimited volumes of untreated mine waste that are likely to be discharged from TCR into Sydney's Drinking water catchment for a period of up to a third of year on any occasion.

Yours sincerely,

Keith Muir

*The EnergyAustralia water licence compliance report, 2024, states that the Mt Piper Power Station used 5,958.9 ML/yr from the Springvale mine and 882.8 ML/yr from Angus Place mine in 2023/24. The amount of partially treated mine waste discharged from TCR was 5,525ML/yr last financial year. Thus (5,525/883+5959+5525) x 100 = 45% of Centennial’s mine waste was discharged to receiving waters last financial year, most of which had no consent or pollution licence.

#1 November-15 November 2023 = 15days x104.71ML/day or 1,549.8 (the measured total reported by EnergyAustralia NSW in 2024, Water Access Licence and Approval Annual Compliance Report for Mt Piper Power Station.

Centennial modification proposal seeks permission to store inadequately treated mine waste in Thompsons Creek Reservoir during operational outages at Mt Piper Power Station. On the face of it, this seems a reasonable request, but in 2023/24 large volumes of mine water quickly filled this reservoir that then continuously overflowed. The waste polluted Sydney’s drinking water catchment downstream. Centennial apparently now wants to continue discharging a toxic blend of highly saline filtered waste and more treated saline waste from Thompsons Creek Reservoir. Since 2019, the NSW Government has twice rejected Centennial’s proposals to dilute and discharge mine waste from the Springvale water treatment plant and instead has required a zero-release waste management system Despite these refusals, Centennial discharged gigalitres of partially treated mine waste in 2023/24fy, mostly without planning authorisation or EPA pollution licence, and at a greater salinity concentration than it was permitted for Springvale mine discharges back in 2015. On five occasions, Centennial’s zero-release mine waste treatment system was granted temporary permission to store up to 5,760,000,000 litres of partly treated mine waste in Thompsons Creek Reservoir. Centennial has no permission to discharge this stored waste, except during emergencies. Centennial wants to eliminate its storage cap because they’ve exceeded this generous limit, and they apparently intend to continue discharging inadequately treated mine water through the World Heritage Area and into the stored waters of Warragamba Dam as they did throughout 2023/24. Eliminating Centennial’s pollution storage cap is a big step towards legitimising and perpetuating mine waste pollution of raw drinking water and sensitive aquatic environments. A modern water treatment plant can adequately cleanse all pollution from large mine discharges, but Centennial doesn’t seem to want to pay for it. Centennial is pushing regulatory agencies to relent and grant it permission to discharge many gigalitres of inadequately treated waste each year till 2040.
It is necessary to have a broad ranging EPA inquiry into Centennial Coal’s operations in the western Blue Mountains region to identify the most effective measures to eliminate, and/or minimise and adequately cleanse over 50 ML/day of mine water discharged from its coal operations. The modification proposal must be refused consent as it may cause continuation of large unauthorised discharges of mine waste into Sydney’s drinking water catchment. The data in EnergyAustralia’s water licence compliance report of 2024 reveals mine waste releases of >5GL from Thompsons Creek Reservoir last financial year. Centennial Coal should be prosecuted for causing or permitting the unauthorised discharge of >3GL gigalitres of poorly treated mine waste from Thompsons Creek Reservoir into Sydney’s drinking water catchment without either a licence to pollute from the EPA or planning consent. The modification proposal should be withdrawn from exhibition as it is likely to cause further illegal discharges of poorly treated mine waste. Centennial Coal should either refer this proposal (and its 2023/24 illegal discharges) to the Federal Environment department to determine whether the potential harm to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and water resources would be a potential breach of the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1997 or a matter requiring a controlled action. The mine waste storage limit for Thompsons Creek Reservoir should be retained. This limit at least restricts the volume of any unlawful releases of inadequately treated mine waste into Sydney’s drinking water catchment. The removal of the reservoir storage limit for mine waste would defeat the Mt Piper Power Plant’s water licence requirement that mine waste water be the source of cooling water in the plant, unless unavailable. If removed, the power plant may need to use water from the Coxs River to replace mine waste discharged from storage and EnergyAustralia appears to be already doing this. The proposed modification should apply the Australian Fresh Water Quality Guideline for salinity of 350EC to treated mine waste stored in Thompsons Creek Reservoir. The proposed salt contamination limit of 650EC for mine waste stored in this reservoir is unacceptable as the waste is likely to continue to be discharged to receiving waters as done last financial year. I object to Centennial Coal storing (and probably illegally discharging mine waste) at toxic salinity levels of 650EC as the new, sophisticated water treatment plant commissioned in 2019 can, with sufficient funds from Centennial, be operated and (if necessary) augmented and upgraded to prevent saline waste concentrations of greater than 350EC from being discharged. I am concerned that the salinity concentration of 650EC proposed for the mine water stored in Thompsons Creek Reservoir, and then most likely released into receiving waters, would harm aquatic life in the Coxs River, including perhaps platypus populations. I object to the consent modification being a backdoor means of establishing an inappropriate water quality standard for the unauthorised discharge of partially treated and mine waste that harms aquatic life. I request that Centennial be required to either effectively operate its mine water management as a zero-release system or cleanse any mine waste discharge to the nationally agreed acceptable salt concentration guideline standard of 350EC to protect fresh water ecosystems in the World Heritage Area and Sydney’s drinking water. I do not have confidence in the environmental assessments in the modification report as sampling data may have been tainted by large unauthorised mine waste discharges (>3GL). These unauthorised and the (>2GL) emergency discharge may have perverted analysis of environmental impacts. The proposed modification can not meet the neutral or beneficial impact on receiving waters test because stored mine water is likely to be discharged with a salinity of 150EC greater than the 500EC level permitted for the Springvale mine in 2015. The NorBE assessment apparently did not consider this increase in salinity pollution of receiving waters arising from the proposal. I believe a change from the approved zero-release mine water management system to a dilute and discharge waste management system requires an environmental impact statement, public comment and review processes under state planning law. Centennial Coal should be prosecuted under planning law for attempting to incrementally sneak through this revolutionary change in waste management as a minor consent modification.

I oppose this proposal because it could easily lead to repetition of leaks of enormous volumes of polluted water into Thompsons Creek Reservoir, as happened during 2024. I believe that there should be a broad inquiry by the Environmental Planning Authority into the operations of Centennial Coal to make sure that the company adopts measures to eliminate, or at least minimise pollution. The company has had separate environmental impacts.

Centennial Coal one of NSW’s coal giants, is now seeking to dump millions of litres of toxic wastewater into a reservoir that discharges into the headwaters of Sydney’s drinking water supply. In 2022 the federal environment department determined the project would have "likely significant impacts on world heritage, national heritage, listed threatened species and communities, migratory species and a water resource". That meant it would have to satisfy federal biodiversity laws, designed to ensure such impacts are avoided, mitigated or offset.
So why was it approved in the first place? The project would see Centennial Coal mine within 60 metres of the Coxs River, which feeds into Sydney's drinking water catchment. Prior to the project being accepted several swamp restoration projects were undertaken at Long Swamp which is an Ecologically Endangered Community (EEC). Other swamps and wetlands that are EEC’s include Coxs River Swamp, Kangaroo Creek Swamp and Lambs Creek Swamp that also need protection from contaminated wastewater. Centennial’s own independent biodiversity report stated there were NO federally listed Ecologically Endangered Communities (EEC) in the project zone. Obviously their report was not accurate. Centennial Coal always underestimates the damage it causes to gain approval to mine.
Over a 23-year period, Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coalmine sites. This includes a coal mine spill from the Centennial Clarence coal mine into the World Heritage Area that resulted in one of the largest fines in the Environmental Protection Authority’s history..
In 2010, it was ordered to pay $1.5 million because of slumping at East Wolgan swamp on the Newnes Plateau. In 2017, the mining company was fined more than $1 million by the Land and Environment Court for spilling toxic coal sludge into the beautiful Wollangambe River.
Bringing back wetlands is almost impossible. Centennial has already damaged nature. Do not approve their proposal to damage more! There are federal and state listed threatened species and communities. Species include the scarlet robin, greater glider, giant dragonfly and gang-gang cockatoo.
Our threatened platypus is also in danger from this reckless mining company and their modification proposal.
Residents are extremely concerned for platypuses, waterbirds, and the rakali water rats that live in their bend of the Coxs River. Their waters will be contaminated, and they will die. A pregnant or lactating female platypus will eat half her body weight every day. They need a supply of invertebrate life as their diet. Invertebrates are sensitive to the pollutants in wastewater that Centennial wants to discharge. With the collapse of invertebrate populations this will affect the platypus and its survival. With increased pollution of heavy metal and higher salinity this results in lower oxygen, which reduces food for the platypus. Elecro-receptors on the platypus’ bill also helps them to locate prey. High salinity levels disrupts these receptors so the little food that is left they cannot find, and they ultimately starve to death.
The Platypus only lives in Australia and needs healthy streams and waterways and a healthy supply of food to survive. It is a threatened species and Centennial does not care.
Mount Piper power station where Centennial was offloading billions of litres of wastewater will be offline for maintenance temporarily. So Centennial Coal wants to release into Thompsons Creek Reservoir (for up to 111 days at a time) up to 18 million litres per day of water through their water treatment plant but 24 million litres a day of untreated water that is highly contaminated into this reservoir.. Thompsons Creek Reservoir discharges via tributaries of the Coxs River that flows through a World Heritage listed national park (Blue Mountains) and a conservation area the Gardens of Stone- that ultimately flows to Warragamba Dam and provides Sydney’s drinking water. These pollutants are above Australian standards and will likely cause ‘environmental harm.’
The pollutants include heavy metals such as like cobalt, iron, nickel, and zinc plus brine, arsenic, salt, selenium, ammonia and fluoride that will not only impact Sydney’s drinking water but also sensitive ecologies and waterways.
As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial 15 years or longer of huge volumes of dirty water discharge may continue.
Centennial Coal has destroyed nationally endangered ecosystems and mines adjacent to the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, a stunning nature wonderland with more than 80 rare and threatened species and 16 threatened ecological communities. Centennial Coal has already damaged aquifers, draining irreplaceable peat swamps, destroying them forever. They are destroying our environment and damaging fragile ecosystems, yet they plan on expanding their Angus Place mine.
Centennial MUST be required to properly treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes all contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was initially approved. Why have they been allowed to deliver less than what was initially proposed? There appears to be no accountability, and the EPA has failed in their primary role to protect our environment that provides quality habitat for native wildlife and a sustainable high quality water source for the Sydney community.
I strongly object to this proposal. Unfortunately, there is anticipated a series of applications from Centennial to continue destroying the environment and polluting Sydney’s drinking water. Nature’s and people’s health will be adversely affected. Protecting people and our environment should be the government’s priority not industry profits. This company has not invested any of their profits to adopt technology that effectively cleans the wastewater of heavy metals, brine and salt that is toxic to aquatic life and contaminates people’s drinking water.
The NSW government should commission a public inquiry into mined wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region. The government has a duty of care to protect people, native wildlife and their habitat, a Conservation Area and a World Heritage listed area.
The government MUST oppose Centennial’s toxic mine waste plans and make them accountable to invest in a zero release system of no contaminates as originally proposed.
In addition, the likely significant impacts of these projects on water quality and the fact that they’re integral to the expansion of coalmines needs to be referred for assessment under our national Federal environment laws and assessed under the water trigger test. The NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully must insist that Centennial be assessed under these criteria to ensure a thorough assessment of impacts on our catchments in this region.
Your sincerely
Lucia Smith

Stop Centennial coal mining from dumping millions of litres of toxic waste water into the pristine waterways leading to Warragamba Dam – Sydney’s water supply.
We are Sydney Knitting Nannas, linked with loops right across the state. Our mission is to advocate for and protect the planet for future generations.
We are writing to oppose the Modification in the interest of protecting the water supply of present and future generations from the threat of Centennial Angus Place Mine toxic waste-water dumping.
Centennial’s long wall mining for coal in the Lithgow Basin has caused massive damage to groundwater, peat swamps, Aboriginal heritage and continues leaking contaminated mine water into the world heritage Blue Mountains streams. Centennial has continually failed to comply with its licenses and now hopes to expand the proposed Angus Place West coal mine threatening once again to discharge 10 million litres of dirty water daily directly into the Upper catchment of Sydney’s water supply.

We demand that the EPA not approve Centennial’s plans to extend the mine and continue operations. The Knitting Nannas join the chorus of Sydneysiders, Lithgow residents and water defenders to implore the NSW Government to continue to block Centennial’s plan to release millions of litres of toxic wastewater into our precious water supply and continue undermining the local ecology and heritage. We do not want the water supply of some 5 million people threatened by the release of Centennial’s highly contaminated waste mine-water.
The Angus Place West mine proposes to mine 2 million tonnes of coal annually with impacts on climate, water quality, First Nations sites and in a place with 80 rare and threatened species and 16 threatened ecological communities.

Centennial has failed to adopt technology that effectively cleans its wastewater of heavy metals, brine and salt toxic to aquatic life in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
We have witnessed the impact of Centennial’s underground coal mining under the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area which has so severely and recklessly damaged groundwater flows causing the collapse of the Upper catchment’s hanging swamps through cracking of the escarpment. The resulting influx of groundwater into their underground coal mines, have left Centennial with more than 20 billion litres of groundwater flooding their mines every year.
Massive accumulations of toxic water now lie within the disused Angus Place mine and to continue or expand operations the mine must be dewatered releasing this pollution into Sydney’s upper catchments.
Desalination processes for excess mine discharge water from Springvale Mine & Angus Place mine have been shown to be an abject failure resulting in serious depletion of water quality and aquatic life decline downstream of release.
1. Over a 23-year period, Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region. However, this may be just the tip of the iceberg, as some non-compliances appear to have gone unreported by the company but have been discovered by third parties and later verified or acted on by the EPA.
2. Lithgow Environment Group has conducted water monitoring in the Upper Coxs river catchment since 2006 including at Centennial licensed water discharge points and published their findings online. Evidence of the failure of government legislation and both companies to maintain water quality and with the historic and current contamination from direct mining discharge from Centennial Coal washery as with Mt Piper Ash Repository leaching into the groundwater and seeping into Wangcol Creek that feeds into upper Coxs River System. They have for decades sacrificed the waters, ecology and geology of this area as demonstrated by the losses in the Gardens of Stone SCA upland protected Threatened Ecological Communities/THPSS and depleted aquifers;
3. If this first proposal is approved, it would result in a huge increase in pollution, heavy metal and salinity load into the receiving environment. Higher salinity means lower oxygen, which reduces food for platypus which rely on electro-receptors on their bills to locate prey. Salinity disrupts these, leaving them unable to find food and causing them to starve to death. Failure to achieve neutral and beneficial environmental impact - discharges has resulted from continually overshoot of Norbe Electrical conductivity measures (no higher than 350ec), resulting in a loss of sustainable life in waterways and failure of healthy waterways).
4. The public have been misled that the existing desalination plant would be zero discharge and cause no harm to the environment or waterways. However,
i) Not all the discharge water is being treated. Only a small amount has been fully treated for use in the boilers for the Mt Piper Power Station. The remaining discharge was blended increasing high levels of salinity and heavy metals. Higher volumes of mining discharge water will not result in neutral or beneficial effect - it will only increase the salt load and heavy metals. (ANZECC guidelines 350ec);
ii) Water experts have continually warned that blending or dilution of dirty water with treated water will exacerbate, rather than address, pollution of the Sydney drinking water catchment as overall load of pollutants will drastically rise. Two previous applications from Centennial seeking to discharge megalitres of mine waste into Wangcol Creek were withdrawn, and this ‘dilute and discharge’ approach would be far worse as it involves far more polluted water.
iii) Mt Piper power station is not at capacity 24/7, requiring less water & less coal as it produces approximately 8% electricity to the state p/a, EnergyAustralia CEO maintains that Mt Piper would economically benefit by becoming a stand-by power station only, with the ability to ramp down to 150MW. Financial Review December 2024 EnergyAustralia’s fight for future of NSW coal plant ;

iv) Centennial’s proposal for this Modification intends to release an additional 42 million litres per day of mine waste water to Thompsons Creek Reservoir (for up to 111 days a year, ongoing) to cover Mount Piper outage periods. This will consist of up to 18 million litres per day of water through the water treatment plant and 24 million litres a day of untreated water (only sediment will be removed). This does not include unplanned outages;
v) The current need for Angus Place West is disputed given the reduction of coal for Mt Piper and continued increase in renewable generation. There is ample supply of coal from Springvale mine with its licence to operate till 2028 also from Clarence, Mt Airly and Invincible Open Cut Mine

Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero-release system they initially proposed when the water treatment plant was approved. Anything less threatens the safety of Sydney’s drinking water supply and water dependent ecosystems, including endangered and threatened species.
If Centennial is unable to do this, Springvale mine must be closed and alternative coal supplies found for Mount Piper power station.
It is not good enough for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants as they have proposed. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region.
There is no ‘plan B’ to divert mine water if monitoring reveals higher than expected salinity levels. Centennial’s historic problems with flooding, contamination and groundwater stem from lack of planning and controls on underground and longwall mining. How can they be allowed to exacerbate the destruction of aquifers and collapse of surface flows and groundwater deposits with the same practices that created the problems in the first place?
Centennial can clearly not be trusted to act in compliance with its licences let alone to do NO harm nor to benefit the local environment. If Centennial is given a go ahead for its plans to extend the life of this highly threatening mine it will dump massive volumes of its legacy toxic highly saline water into our waterways and vital water supply. We call on the Government to protect our most foundational resource, our water supply from these unnecessary and damaging coal mining ambitions.
This proposal for Angus Place West dewatering and mine expansion must not be approved.
The Department of Planning must require Centennial to significantly reduce the mining intensity at its underground coal mines to protect the natural environment and to reduce the volume of wastewater sent to Mount Piper power station.
The NSW Government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.

Knitting Nanas - Sydney

Centennial Coal one of NSW’s coal giants, is now seeking to dump millions of litres of toxic wastewater into a reservoir that discharges into the headwaters of Sydney’s drinking water supply. In 2022 the federal environment department determined the project would have "likely significant impacts on world heritage, national heritage, listed threatened species and communities, migratory species and a water resource". That meant it would have to satisfy federal biodiversity laws, designed to ensure such impacts are avoided, mitigated or offset.
So why was it approved in the first place? The project would see Centennial Coal mine within 60 metres of the Coxs River, which feeds into Sydney's drinking water catchment. Prior to the project being accepted several swamp restoration projects were undertaken at Long Swamp which is an Ecologically Endangered Community (EEC). Other swamps and wetlands that are EEC’s include Coxs River Swamp, Kangaroo Creek Swamp and Lambs Creek Swamp that also need protection from contaminated wastewater. Centennial’s own independent biodiversity report stated there were NO federally listed Ecologically Endangered Communities (EEC) in the project zone. Obviously their report was not accurate. Centennial Coal always underestimates the damage it causes to gain approval to mine.
Over a 23-year period, Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coalmine sites. This includes a coal mine spill from the Centennial Clarence coal mine into the World Heritage Area that resulted in one of the largest fines in the Environmental Protection Authority’s history.
In 2010, it was ordered to pay $1.5 million because of slumping at East Wolgan swamp on the Newnes Plateau. In 2017, the mining company was fined more than $1 million by the Land and Environment Court for spilling toxic coal sludge into the beautiful Wollangambe River.
Bringing back wetlands is almost impossible. Centennial has already damaged nature. Do not approve their proposal to damage more! There are federal and state listed threatened species and communities. Species include the scarlet robin, greater glider, giant dragonfly and gang-gang cockatoo.
Our threatened platypus is also in danger from this reckless mining company and their modification proposal.
Residents are extremely concerned for platypuses, waterbirds, and the rakali water rats that live in their bend of the Coxs River. Their waters will be contaminated, and they will die. A pregnant or lactating female platypus will eat half her body weight every day. They need a supply of invertebrate life as their diet. Invertebrates are sensitive to the pollutants in wastewater that Centennial wants to discharge. With the collapse of invertebrate populations this will affect the platypus and its survival. With increased pollution of heavy metal and higher salinity this results in lower oxygen, which reduces food for the platypus. Elecro-receptors on the platypus’ bill also helps them to locate prey. High salinity levels disrupts these receptors so the little food that is left they cannot find, and they ultimately starve to death.
The Platypus only lives in Australia and needs healthy streams and waterways and a healthy supply of food to survive. It is a threatened species and Centennial does not care.
Mount Piper power station where Centennial was offloading billions of litres of wastewater will be offline for maintenance temporarily. So Centennial Coal wants to release into Thompsons Creek Reservoir (for up to 111 days at a time) up to 18 million litres per day of water through their water treatment plant but 24 million litres a day of untreated water that is highly contaminated into this reservoir. Thompsons Creek Reservoir discharges via tributaries of the Coxs River that flows through a World Heritage listed national park (Blue Mountains) and a conservation area the Gardens of Stone- that ultimately flows to Warragamba Dam and provides Sydney’s drinking water. These pollutants are above Australian standards and will likely cause ‘environmental harm.’
The pollutants include heavy metals such as like cobalt, iron, nickel, and zinc plus brine, arsenic, salt, selenium, ammonia and fluoride that will not only impact Sydney’s drinking water but also sensitive ecologies and waterways.
As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial 15 years or longer of huge volumes of dirty water discharge may continue.
Centennial Coal has destroyed nationally endangered ecosystems and mines adjacent to the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, a stunning nature wonderland with more than 80 rare and threatened species and 16 threatened ecological communities. Centennial Coal has already damaged aquifers, draining irreplaceable peat swamps, destroying them forever. They are destroying our environment and damaging fragile ecosystems, yet they plan on expanding their Angus Place mine.
Centennial MUST be required to properly treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes all contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was initially approved. Why have they been allowed to deliver less than what was initially proposed? There appears to be no accountability, and the EPA has failed in their primary role to protect our environment that provides quality habitat for native wildlife and a sustainable high quality water source for the Sydney community.
I strongly object to this proposal. Unfortunately, there is anticipated a series of applications from Centennial to continue destroying the environment and polluting Sydney’s drinking water. Nature’s and people’s health will be adversely affected. Protecting people and our environment should be the government’s priority not industry profits. This company has not invested any of their profits to adopt technology that effectively cleans the wastewater of heavy metals, brine and salt that is toxic to aquatic life and contaminates people’s drinking water.
The NSW government should commission a public inquiry into mined wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region. The government has a duty of care to protect people, native wildlife and their habitat, a Conservation Area and a World Heritage listed area.
The government MUST oppose Centennial’s toxic mine waste plans and make them accountable to invest in a zero release system of no contaminates as originally proposed.
In addition, the likely significant impacts of these projects on water quality and the fact that they’re integral to the expansion of coalmines needs to be referred for assessment under our national Federal environment laws and assessed under the water trigger test. The NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully must insist that Centennial be assessed under these criteria to ensure a thorough assessment of impacts on our catchments in this region.
Your sincerely
Ruby Hardie

I am writing to express my unequivocal opposition to Centennial’s proposal to discharge mine wastewater into the Thompsons Creek Reservoir and Wangcol Creek. The risks to Sydney’s drinking water, the health of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and the survival of critical wildlife, including the platypus, are unacceptable and cannot be ignored.

Sydney’s drinking water supply is a vital and irreplaceable resource, and it must be protected from any potential contamination. Experts in water management have already raised serious concerns about Centennial’s approach, which involves blending or diluting polluted mine water with treated water. This process will not address the pollution, but will only exacerbate it. The resulting increase in pollutants—especially heavy metals, salts, and brine—will poison the water, impacting both the quantity and quality of our water supply.

Furthermore, the ecological consequences of this proposal would be catastrophic. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is one of the most ecologically significant regions in Australia, home to countless species, including the vulnerable platypus. Higher salinity levels resulting from mine wastewater will reduce oxygen in the water, depriving the platypus of the food it needs to survive. Salinity also interferes with the electro-receptors on the platypus’ bill, crucial for locating prey. This would lead to starvation, a cruel and entirely avoidable outcome for one of Australia’s most iconic species.

Centennial’s track record speaks for itself: the company has already been warned by water experts that the dilution strategy will increase pollution, not solve it. Two previous applications to discharge mine waste into Wangcol Creek were withdrawn for good reason—this approach has already been proven to be a failure. The current proposal seeks to make the situation even worse, with the potential for up to 111 days per year of mine wastewater discharge for up to 15 years, all while Mount Piper power station remains operational. The scale of the damage that could be done is unimaginable.

It is also worth noting Centennial’s history of poor environmental management. The company has breached its environmental license over 1400 times across its coal mine sites, revealing a pattern of negligence and a lack of accountability when it comes to environmental protection. This history further underscores why it is irresponsible to allow Centennial to self-monitor its mine wastewater. The risks of increased salinity levels and other pollutants are simply too great, and there is no credible contingency plan if the company’s own monitoring fails.

The most responsible course of action is clear: Centennial must be required to treat mine water to remove all harmful contaminants before any discharge is allowed into the water system. A zero-release system, as was originally proposed when the water treatment plant was approved, is the only acceptable solution to safeguard Sydney’s drinking water and its surrounding ecosystems. If Centennial is unable or unwilling to meet this standard, the Springvale mine should be closed, and alternative sources of coal should be found for the Mount Piper power station.

The government has a duty to protect the environment, public health, and endangered species like the platypus. I call on the planning department to require Centennial to significantly reduce the mining intensity of its underground coal mines to mitigate the volume of wastewater produced. Additionally, a public inquiry should be commissioned to fully assess the environmental impact of mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s operations in the Gardens of Stone region.

The risks posed by this proposal are too great, and we cannot afford to put our water, our ecosystems, or our future in jeopardy. I urge the planning department to reject this proposal and ensure that Centennial is held accountable for the protection of Sydney’s water supply and the wildlife that depend on it.

Sincerely,
Melissa Barrass
0466 308 708
29/01/24

I have visited the Newnes Plateau and nearby areas scores of times since the mid 1770's to bushwalk and view the unique scenery and flora. Over that time I have seen increased damage to the natural values of the area resulting from underground coal mining by Centennial Coal.
*Nationally endangered swamps and the and the plant communities they support destroyed due to drainage by undermining.
*The Wollangambe River polluted by mine waste material.
*Mine waste water contaminated with salt and heavy metals drained into the Coxs River and ultimately Sydney's drinking water.
*Swathes of vegetation cleared for surface infrastructure such as power lines, pipe lines vents and electrical installations.
Centennial Coal has an appalling record of non compliance with licence conditions for which it has received few penalties. Instead this company continues to receive approvals for new works when we can all expect it wont abide by the attached conditions.
I am totally opposed to to any licence that allows this company any increase in waste water discharge into anywhere in the Coxs River catchment at any time.
The quality of Sydeys drinking water and the quality of water that flows through the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are far more important.

I am strongly opposed to Centennial Coal’s proposal to release an additional 42 million litres per day (for up to around 15 years for up to 111 days at a time) of mine wastewater containing heavy metals and salt to Thompsons Creek Reservoir to cover the periods when Mount Piper Power Station will be closed for maintenance. I am particularly concerned that 24 million litres a day of the 42 million litres will be untreated water from which only sediment will be removed.

Thompsons Creek Reservoir discharges via tributaries of the Coxs River that flows through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and ultimately to Warragamba Dam from which most of Sydney’s drinking water is supplied. The wastewater will also adversely impact sensitive ecologies, waterways and wildlife including the platypus as it travels towards Warragamba Dam.

Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine are fully removed and a zero-release system is delivered.

It is not acceptable for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants in the wastewater they release as they have proposed to be allowed to do. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1,400 times across seven coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region.

Centennial must be required to significantly reduce the mining intensity at its underground coal mines to protect the natural environment and to reduce the volume of wastewater produced by the mines.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a resident of Kanimbla, NSW 2790. Our property borders the Coxs River south of Lake Lyell and we use it for garden irrigation and recreational swimming. I’m also a keen bushwalker and visit the Gardens of Stone SCA regularly, incl. Newnes Plateau, Ben Bullen, Wolgan State Forests as well as Wollemi and Blue Mountains NP.

I have strong concerns about proposal MOD 11 and OBJECT to its implementation. My main concern that the health of Sydney’s drinking water and the ecological value of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and wildlife such as the platypus will be compromised should this proposal be approved.

Water experts have previously warned that blending or dilution of dirty water with treated water will exacerbate, rather than address, pollution of the Sydney drinking water catchment as overall load of pollutants will drastically rise. Two previous applications from Centennial seeking to discharge megalitres of mine waste into Wangcol Creek were withdrawn, and this ‘dilute and discharge’ approach would be far worse as it involves far more polluted water.

If this first proposal is approved, it would result in a huge increase in pollution, heavy metal and salinity load into the receiving environment. Higher salinity means lower oxygen, which reduces food for platypus. Electro-receptors on their bill locate prey, however salinity disrupts these, they can’t find food and starve to death.

As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial is seeking permission to dilute and discharge water from Thompsons Creek Reservoir during scheduled offline maintenance periods for the lifetime of the water treatment plant. This could mean up to or around 15 years of huge volumes of dirty water discharge for up to 111 days at a time.
With more renewable energy entering the NEM grid, it is likely that there will be more downtime to Mt Piper coal power station, which means that more untreated water will enter downstream creeks and rivers.
Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was approved. Anything less threatens the safety of Sydney’s drinking water supply and water dependent ecosystems, including endangered and threatened species.
If Centennial is unable to do this, Springvale mine must be closed and alternative coal supplies found for Mount Piper power station. The modification proposal should be withdrawn from exhibition as it is likely to cause further illegal discharges of poorly treated mine waste.

It is not good enough for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants as they have proposed. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region. Centennial Coal should be prosecuted for causing or permitting the unauthorised discharge of >3GL gigalitres of poorly treated mine waste from Thompsons Creek Reservoir into Sydney’s drinking water catchment without either a licence to pollute from the EPA or planning consent. A broad-ranging EPA inquiry into Centennial Coal’s operations in the western Blue Mountains region should be conducted to identify the most effective measures to eliminate, and/or minimise and adequately cleanse over 50 ML/day of mine water discharged from its coal operations.

I object to Centennial Coal storing (and probably illegally discharging mine waste) at toxic salinity levels of 650EC as the new, sophisticated water treatment plant commissioned in 2019 can, with sufficient funds from Centennial, be operated and (if necessary) augmented and upgraded to prevent saline waste concentrations of greater than 350EC from being discharged. I am concerned that the salinity concentration of 650EC proposed for the mine water stored in Thompsons Creek Reservoir, and then most likely released into receiving waters, would harm aquatic life in the Coxs River, including perhaps platypus populations (which we have at our property in the Kanimbla Valley).

There is no ‘plan B’ to divert mine water if monitoring reveals higher than expected salinity levels.
The planning department must require Centennial to significantly reduce the mining intensity at its underground coal mines to protect the natural environment and to reduce the volume of wastewater sent to Mount Piper power station. The government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.

Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
- Thomas Wiedmann, 28 January 2025, Kanimbla NSW 2790 -

Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission, and for your time considering it. I'm a concerned member of the public, and I object to the project.

This proposal would result in up to 42 million litres of mine waste water per day being released upstream of the Coxs River, the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park, and ultimately into Sydney's supply of drinking water. This would increase pollution, heavy metal content and salinity, I am concerned about the health consequences for the people who rely on that water, and for the ecosystems it will pass through on the way, especially with vulnerable species like the platypus relying on this habitat. See: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-07/water-contamination-lithgow-coal/103067856

Two previous applications from Centennial seeking to discharge megalitres of mine waste into Wangcol Creek were withdrawn, and this proposed ‘dilute and discharge’ approach would be far worse as it involves far more polluted water.

This proposal covers a potentially enormous amount of time since Mount Piper power station may remain open for decades yet. It also proposes for Centennial to self-monitor for contaminants, which is a blatant conflict of interest. Centennial has a track record of breaching its environmental licences.

The damage to the public goods of our health and environment is not justified by some convenience for a private mine operator. Centennial created this waste water, Centennial should be required to treat it. No discharge should be allowed unless heavy metals, salt, brine, and all other contaminants are fully removed. If Springvale mine must be temporarily closed as a result, Mount Piper power station can find alternative coal in the meanwhile.

Lastly, the government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.

I urge refusal of this proposal.

Centennial Coal mining operations have already had extensive deleterious impact on the important Garden of Stones environmental health. These effects are well documented as are the numerous failures of Centennial Coal to comply with agreed environmental requirements.

This proposal will have a direct impact on the drinking water of supply of Sydney due to highly polluted water being put into the reservoir that discharges into the drinking water system downstream. An impact that has been clearly regarded as unacceptable. Not just due to the heavy metals and salts present but also due to the quantity of polluted water produced by the mine.

This water is not only a threat to humans it is also environmentally destructive.

A proposal such as this is notably dangerous and will have results for which there will be no possible adequate remedial action.

I urge refusal.

I am concerned that the health of Sydney’s drinking water and the ecological value of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and wildlife will be ruined should this proposal be approved.

Water experts such as Dr Ian Wright have previously warned that dilution of dirty water with treated water will make worse pollution of the Sydney drinking water catchment.

I understand that two previous applications from Centennial seeking to discharge megalitres of mine waste into Wangcol Creek have been withdrawn, and this ‘dilute and discharge’ approach would be far worse as it involves far more polluted water.

As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial is seeking permission to dilute and discharge water from Thompsons Creek Reservoir during scheduled offline maintenance periods for the lifetime of the water treatment plant. This could mean up to or around 15 years of huge volumes of dirty water discharge for up to 111 days at a time.

Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was approved. Anything less threatens the safety of Sydney’s drinking water supply and water dependent ecosystems, including endangered and threatened species.
If Centennial is unable to do this, Springvale mine must be closed and alternative coal supplies found for Mount Piper power station.

It is not good enough for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants as they have proposed. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region[2].

The government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.

I am strongly opposed to this proposal and am concerned that the health of Sydney’s drinking water and the ecological value of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and wildlife such as the platypus will be compromised should this proposal be approved. Water experts have previously warned that blending or dilution of dirty water with treated water will exacerbate, rather than address, pollution of the Sydney drinking water catchment as overall load of pollutants will drastically rise. Two previous applications from Centennial seeking to discharge megalitres of mine waste into Wangcol Creek were withdrawn, and this ‘dilute and discharge’ approach would be far worse as it involves far more polluted water. If this first proposal is approved, it would result in a huge increase in pollution, heavy metal and salinity load into the receiving environment. Higher salinity means lower oxygen, which reduces food for platypus. Elecro-receptors on their bill locate prey, however salinity disrupts these, they can’t find food and starve to death. As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial is seeking permission to dilute and discharge water from Thompsons Creek Reservoir during scheduled offline maintenance periods for the lifetime of the water treatment plant. This could mean up to or around 15 years of huge volumes of dirty water discharge for up to 111 days at a time. Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that any discharge fully removes contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine and deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was approved. Anything less threatens the safety of Sydney’s drinking water supply and water dependent ecosystems, including endangered and threatened species. If Centennial is unable to do this, Springvale mine must be closed and alternative coal supplies found for Mount Piper power station. It is not good enough for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants as they have proposed. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region. There is no ‘plan B’ to divert mine water if monitoring reveals higher than expected salinity levels. The planning department must require Centennial to significantly reduce the mining intensity at its underground coal mines to protect the natural environment and to reduce the volume of wastewater sent to Mount Piper power station. The government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.

Objection to the Expansion of Centennial Coal Angus Place
To Whom It May Concern,
I am wanting to express my strong objection to the proposed expansion of Centennial Coal's Angus Place coal mine. The expansion poses significant environmental, social, and economic risks that cannot be ignored. Below, I outline the key concerns warranting immediate reconsideration of this project.
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1. Environmental Impacts
Destruction of Biodiversity
The proposed expansion threatens the delicate ecosystems of Newnes Plateau, which is home to several vulnerable and endangered species, including the Giant Dragonfly and the Blue Mountains Water Skink. Any further degradation of these habitats could lead to irreversible loss of biodiversity.
Water Resources at Risk
The project risks damaging vital groundwater systems, particularly the Coxs River and surrounding water catchments, which are essential to Sydney's drinking water supply. Subsidence caused by longwall mining could permanently alter surface and groundwater systems, leading to contamination and reduced water availability.
Climate Change Contribution
This expansion is fundamentally at odds with Australia's commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Approving an increase in coal mining not only exacerbates global climate change but undermines global and national efforts toward renewable energy transition.
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2. Cultural Heritage
The area under consideration is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage, holding immense significance to the Wiradjuri and other First Nations communities. The irreversible harm to cultural landmarks caused by mining operations would disregard Indigenous heritage, violating both ethical standards and reconciliation commitments.
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3. Health and Community Well-being
Air Quality Concerns
Mining operations release particulate matter and toxic substances, negatively impacting air quality and contributing to respiratory issues among nearby residents. The well-being of communities in Lithgow and surrounding areas must be prioritized.
Noise Pollution
Continued mining will exacerbate noise pollution, causing significant distress and long-term disruptions for local residents.
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4. Economic Justifications Are Flawed
While the company emphasizes economic benefits, such as job creation, these claims fail to account for the broader economic costs, including:
• Environmental remediation costs, which often fall on taxpayers.
• Long-term losses to tourism in the Blue Mountains region.
• Costs to public health systems due to the adverse effects of mining operations.
Moreover, transitioning to renewable energy investments offers more sustainable job opportunities for local workers.
________________________________________
Conclusion
The proposed expansion of the Angus Place coal mine presents unacceptable risks to the environment, cultural heritage, community health, and long-term economic stability. These risks far outweigh the potential benefits of the project.
I urge decision-makers to prioritize sustainable development and invest in renewable energy alternatives that safeguard the well-being of current and future generations. It is imperative to reject the expansion of the Angus Place mine to preserve the ecological, cultural, and social integrity of the region.

• I object to this proposal because it is preposterous and highly dangerous! The health of Sydney’s drinking water and the ecological value of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and wildlife such as the platypus would be seriously impacted.
• Pollution of the Sydney drinking water catchment will occur as overall load of pollutants will drastically rise.
• It would result in a huge increase in pollution, heavy metal and salinity load into the local environment. Higher salinity means lower oxygen, which reduces food for platypus and disrupts their bill receptors. They would be at risk of starving to death.
• As Mount Piper power station may remain open until the early 2040s, Centennial is seeking permission to dilute and discharge water from Thompsons Creek Reservoir during scheduled offline maintenance periods for the lifetime of the water treatment plant. This could mean 15 years of huge volumes of dirty water discharge for up to 111 days at a time. Too much! The entire area would be devastated by then.
• Centennial should be required to treat mine water to ensure that contaminants like heavy metals, salt and brine are removed. They should deliver the zero release system they proposed when the water treatment plant was approved.
• If Centennial won’t do this, Springvale mine should be closed and alternative coal supplies found for Mount Piper power station.
• It is not good enough for Centennial to self-monitor the level of contaminants as proposed. Centennial has been found to have breached its environmental licence more than 1400 times across 7 coal mine sites in the Greater Blue Mountains region. Outrageous!
• The Planning Department must require Centennial to significantly reduce the mining intensity at its underground coal mines to protect the natural environment and to reduce the volume of wastewater sent to Mount Piper power station.
• The Government should commission a public inquiry into mine wastewater produced by Centennial’s underground coal mines in the Gardens of Stone region.