Mod 3

This modification proposes a temporary increase in road haulage of coal from 3.5Mt to 4Mt per annum.
Any increase in coal mining operations including transportation is at odds with Australia's 2015 commitment at Paris to reduce CO2 emissions. Burning coal is incompatible with efforts to keep global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees.
Mining and transporting coal enables burning of coal and is likewise incompatible with this goal.
Current policies are not working to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas equivalents which are rising again (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Dec 2015). Australia needs to be serious about reducing not increasing coal production for combustion here and elsewhere through its exports.

Whitehaven's justification that
"The increased haulage rate is required due to favourable mining conditions which are allowing increased coal recovery without material changes to other approved operations such as the mining rate, operating hours or number of employees"
does not consider the negative impacts of this continued activity on "the atmospheric conditions" (global warming) which affect us all.

In addition there will be adverse local effects for the community from 88 additional truck haulages per day due to extra noise and pollution and the potential for more road accidents.

"Favourable mining conditions" are no longer a satisfactory justification for coal projects ( all of which are jeopardise climate and local amenity).

See Attached

See Attached

See Attached