Mod 3 - Airly Coal

I fully support this modification to allow continued operations at the Airly underground mine.

The bord and pillar system of mining has a very low environmental impact.

The Lithgow region has far higher unemployment and lower workforce participation than the state average. For example, the Lithgow Crime Prevention Plan (2010) states:
"Lithgow LGA's unemployment rate of 8.5% was significantly higher than both NSW as a whole (5.9%) and the Central West (6.3%). Labour force participation in Lithgow (53.1%) was significantly less than both NSW (58.9% and the Central West region (58.2%)."
http://archive.lithgow.nsw.gov.au/documents/Crime%20Prevention%20Plan.pdf
The Airly mine therefore represents an important employer in the region, with an important positive social impact.

I live in the local area and support mining as it supports us, look at the employment mining brings to small towns and the opportunities for people to work and live locally.

In line with previous submissions by residents in the Capertee Valley, I reiterate the request for the NSW Dept. Of Planning and Environment to refrain from extending the time frame in which the Airly Mine Extension 3 application has been applied. There is no justification for the mine to be granted an extension to mining. The mining of the area is threatening the environment, i.e the water table, the pagodas, the flora and subsequently the fauna which can not be rehabilitated. Why continue to degrade the environment by extending the mining? The renewable energy targets set to replace the extraction of coal must be encouraged by the government as it is the only way to protect our country from being one huge quarry.

I am apposed to any increase in mining activity.

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be refused.

Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.

I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Cate

I would like to object to this proposal for a number of reasons. Our community's concern is focused on two main areas - damage to our underground water supply, and the effect of any increased subsidence.
We all depend on underground water in the Capertee Valley. There are large agricultural holdings and also small farms - but we are all food producers. An amazing amount of food is produced - as evidenced by the local produce stall at the Rylstone Show, and the "Everything Local" Dinner which was held recently - every single item eaten at the dinner was produced in our valley. Anything which jeopardises this is a serious concern.·

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
· Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
· The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
· I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
· Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
· I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
· Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Yours sincerely,
Alexandra Mateer

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this application-
I am a nature photographer and I am concerned about the impact of the increased subsidence allowed in this proposal and how it will affect biodiversity in Genowlan Mountain. In the long term I am concerned about the affects on the flora and fauna in our area.

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
· Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
· The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
· I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
· Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
· I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
· Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Yours sincerely,

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
Subsidence affecting the integrity of this State Conservation area is not acceptable.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are significant and is among the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW.
I object to and oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of damage from mining or other activities.
I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining and rehabilitation has been completed.
Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and treated to blend in with surrounding park landscapes.
I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal.
Operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges will impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Any deleterious impact on the World Heritage Area must be prevented.
Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be a requirement for any discharge to the World Heritage Area under any conditions of consent for mining activities.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Ray Richardson

Dear Sir/Madam,

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Su Li

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to make a submission solely as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Format: Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

Having many improvements made to our understanding of the nature of the area under consideration, and, considering the increasing importance of the area since the original consent was made, I wish to lodge a strong objection to the amendments proposed by the developer.
Due to these and other reasons, the 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the now necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area. Due to this the modification proposal to extend the consent should be refused, if that is not obtained, it should be varied to include and specify almost undetectable levels of surface movements, that is, mine subsidence.

If refusal is not obtained, as it should be, then subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m must be considered as totally unacceptable. In other words, there must be no exceptions to the following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.

The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special historic significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW. Therefore, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction, or any other form of deveopment.

I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.

Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .

I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, and object to any proposals or existing operations that have impacts on the relevant water courses. Operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek; such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and must not be allowed to occur.

Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property. Remember what is happening to the discharge fro past mining operations into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, and a similar situation must not be allowed to be repeated in this case.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Cesidio Parissi

One feature in this area is the Three Hundred Sister a take off from the 3 Sisters at Katoomba, to illustrate just how special this area is and must be protected.

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Stavert

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate
*The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
*Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
*The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
*I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
*Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
*I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
*Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Barry Hanlon

Enough is enough. I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed. Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout . I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. All for mining, I'm not in agreeance that it should be in a national park, a water catchment or on farming land.

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

- See more at: http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/node/539#sthash.d7fDJNne.dpuf

I oppose the extension. The existing criteria are inadequate and should be updated to the best standard achievable. Subsidence in particular should be restricted. This area is of great significance and should be protected. I have often walked in the area and greatly appreciate it's beauty. Tourism could be
a significant contributor to the local economy and would be enhanced by requirements to remediate the damage caused by mining.

As a current home-owner in the Blue Mountains, who grew up spending my summers in Lithgow and Hartley, I have spent years wandering the Gardens of Stone National Park, and the near-by Wolgan State Forest. I am currently living in Northern NSW for work but am devastated by the idea that this wonderful park could be mined for coal. I will be returning to live in the upper Blue Mountains again in about two years and I am scared to think what I will come home to???

I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed. Anybody who has spent time in the Gardens of Stone knows how deeply precious this environment is and why it should be protected for future generations.

Taking the drive past Lithgow, out to Mudgee you go past the coal mines and they are such a blight on the landscape. We do not need to extend mining in the area, especially not a mining project like the Airly Colliery modification 3 proposal which has the potential to discharge water pollution into Airly Creek, and impact other areas of the Blue Mountains National Park.

PLEASE have some respect for locals for whom these forests provide a sense of home, and a long-term connection to this country.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.

I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Listing.


Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

Jacob Lebovics

I am a member on a Local 4wd club based in western Sydney. We frequently visit this area with owe families for weekend trips and also track maintenance. I would love to see this area left in its natural state for future generations to enjoy.

The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate

*The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused or varied to specify almost undetectible levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.
*Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is totally unacceptable - there must be no exceptions to following limits: vertical subsidence being a maximum of 125mm, a maximum tilt of 2.5 mm/m; and a maximum strain of 2.0 mm/m.
*The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW, I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
*I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee that the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.
*Visually prominent waste and product heaps must be appropriately screened and landscaped to blend in with surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley, such as Pearsons Lookout .
*I am concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. Such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
*Reverse osmosis water treatment of the effluent from Airly Colliery to remove all salts and dissolved metals must be required for any discharge to a World Heritage listed property.

I strongly objecy to mining of any type in the Blue Mountains area. The proven destruction of the area based on works over teh last few decades has proven that works cannot occur without unacceptable impacts.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,