Mod 3 - Airly Coal

Our submission is contained in the following 2 PDF files

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The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to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

Danika Kennett

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The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to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

See submission attached

The Garden of Stones is an appendage of the world heritage blue mountains national park. It is is unique to any other location in the world and filled an abundance of beauty and heritage. Any mining is this area would destroy the fragility of the environment and remove the ability for us to allow our children to visit and experience this amazing part of the world. I oppose any mining exploration in this area or any expansion of further works.

I am a resident of the Capertee Valley. I am a founder and current president of the capertee valley landcare group. I have been here just three years, in my view it is the most beautiful place on earth.

Whenever I drive to Rylstone I can see the Airly/Genowlan Mountain across the valley, standing proud and magnificent. I look at it and try to imagine a slice being removed from the base. It's simply ridiculous to take that risk for what appears to be second rate coal. It's bad enough that subsidence is tolerated in any landscape but to allow it under a mountain that stands so strongly in the landscape would indicate an unforgivable carelessness of our country.

You can see from your own cross section, which I have attached for your convenience, how this mountain stand clear in the landscape and how that coal seam makes a slice right through it. It's not just some anonymous buried seam, it's what our mountain sits on.

I support all the carefully explained objections sent by the Colo Committee.

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

I have been informed that the existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate and lack the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area. Therefore this proposal should be refused.

I have visited this beautiful area several times and walked across the top of Mount Genowlan. How could we (this generation) even contemplate destroying any part of this area just for short term gain.

I have walked through the historic Oil Shale Ruins. They are very special and must be preserved for future generations.

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.

Please stop now and preserve this area for future generations.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,
Christine Davies, (Grandmother, age 71)

Dear Planning and Environment,

I am writing this submission to express my concerns about the Airly Colliery Modification Proposal Number 3. My concerns are as follows:

1) 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.

2) 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 undetectable levels of surface movements, that is mine subsidence.

3) 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.

Because of these significant risks to the downstream environment, especially to a World Heritage Area, I have choice but to object strongly to the proposal. The onus should be on Centennial Coal to mitigate the subsidence and waste mine water discharges (e.g reverse osmosis measures).

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Rob Hynes

I wish to object to this proposal due to the very significant danger of destruction of important natural and man-made heritage, and its unlawful degradation of a World Heritage Area.

I am appalled that this unique landscape has come under threat. The majestic oil shale ruins are historic, is nothing sacred? I completely agree with WHAC in its suggestion in adding this to the Blue Mountains World Heritage scheme. This unique landscape should be preserved and cherished for our future generations. My family and I love to visit the Gardens of Stone and surrounds. Please leave us something beautiful, unusual and special.

I used to reside in the Blue Mountains in the 1990's and it was a truly precious and unique part of the world. It must be protected at all costs as this is irreplaceable. Think of long term gain and not short term profits.

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.
- See more at: http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/node/539#sthash.QBrS4aHQ.dpuf

I am not against mining in the area as the company has from a layman's point of view satisfied the environmental requirements put before it. However I am very concerned that the Capertee Valley, in particular areas of the Airly Gap Trail where there are significant historical points of interest, will be lost and not accessible by the public because of this extension as encompasses these tourist areas (therefore no access to).
I believe in the Capertee Valley and surrounding towns are very much a tourist attraction and dependent upon these historical sites. Although the mines are community minded if we lose the tourist dollar businesses in towns in the area like Capertee, Kandos & Rylstone will disappear.
Airly House has significant historical history and has already been lost to public access, which is a tragedy.
Other historical sites e.g Torbane and Airly Gap will be lost through this extension.
I would like to see the mine cater for tourist access to these places if the extension goes ahead. I believe that the mine can operate in conjunction with the tourist dollar & historical value not at the expense of it.
Airly Gap Road, within this area leads to a number of irreplaceable historical sites showing how early settler and miners coped with the conditions of the area. I tried to upload photos but your system would not allow this. This is history that will be lost forever!!!

We need to stop this now. Please. Stop another Centennial Coal's attack on the environment. Hands off the Mugii Murum-Ban State Conservation Area (Mount Airly and Genowlan Mountain in the Capertee Valley), part of the Gardens of Stone region!

When will it end, when there is no more environment left.

Dear Sir/Madam,

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

The 1991 development consent is inappropriate as it lacks the environmental safeguards necessary for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore the proposal to extend the consent should be refused or amended to specify almost undetectable levels of surface movements.
Subsidence under the 1991 development consent of 1.8m is unacceptable.
The old Oil Shale Ruins are of historical significance and this is one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in NSW. Along with the stunning natural beauty that surround them, the ruins attract tourists and holidaymakers to the area and they should be preserved. I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these fascinating 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. This is a place of staggering and unique beauty and should be protected so that future generations can continue to enjoy it; therefore, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure it suffers no negative impact from the mining.
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,

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3

I strongly object to a continuation of mining under the current expiring approval. Mining in this area, if any, needs to be undertaken considering the most stringent environmental practices of today, not those of 25 years ago. These approvals were granted when there wasn't the prospect of an almost indefinitely number of mines open or opening up in the area. The cumulative impact of these mines must be considered. The approvals must be redrawn.

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.

Regards,

Dear Sir/Madam,

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3

Existing Consent Conditions are Inappropriate
since:
*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,

Dear Sir/Madam,

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

I object for the following reasons:

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.

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.

Clare Blakemore

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,
Robert Shield

I ask that this proposal be refused outright or amended to prevent any subsidence greater than 125mm.