Mod 3 - Airly Coal

The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to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 or varied to specify ANY levels of surface movements, ie mine subsidence.

I object to the Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3 to 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The 1991 development consent is out-of-date and inappropriate as it lacks the necessary environmental safeguards for coal mining in a State Conservation Area, therefore this modification proposal to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 undetectable 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,
Gae Mulvogue

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, June M Bullivant OAM

Objection to the Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3.
Existing Consent Conditions would result in destruction of the pagoda landscape and historic features.

1. This proposed modification to the consent should be refused. If it is allowed the regulation should be changed to specify very minimal degrees of surface movement, of subsidence.

2. The 1991 development consent allows 1.8m subsidence. This is deplorable. Six feet of subsidence would cause the pagodas to crumble. Maximum allowed subsidence should be no more than 125mm and the tilt no more than 2.5 mm/m and maximum strain be no more than 2.00mm/m.

3. The Oil Shale Ruins should be fully protected with no threat allowed at all in their vicinity.

4. Following completion of the mining this area should be added to the National Park estate.

5. Water from the mining processes should be treated, purified, before release so that the downstream watercourses are not adversely affected.

I oppose the use of an outdated mining consent in the environmentally important ans beautiful area of the Gardens of Stone National Park. Please use your powers to preserve ans not destroy these areas for us and, more importa...ntly, future generations

I do not support this application in this very important area of the State - an area worthy of inclusion in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

The mining activity is ludicrous in that it seeks to mine under important natural features where any subsidence - even minimal will result in destruction of the important and priceless natural features.

The current mining activities in the area are already having negative impacts and this proposal will exacerbate those impacts including loss of the historic ruins.

Any run off from the mine works will cause an unacceptable loss of water quality in the catchment.

I urge you to not approve the requested expansion.

Loss and damage to the surrounding natural and historic environment would be unacceptable.

This proposal should be refused or limited to prevent subsidence beyond 125mm.
The mine water discharge should not put at risk Airly creek.
The pagodas around Mt Airly must not be put at risk and the historic oil shale ruins also protected from the risk of damage due to mine subsidence.
I also agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee's proposal to add the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Please do not allow Centennial Airly Pty Limited to modify Airly Mines development consent to allow for the continuation of mining for a period of twelve months beyond the expiry date of the current approval.

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 was given at a time when the impacts of climate warming the the urgent need to reduce the use of coal in power generation was not recognised.

Moreover, the form of consent given at that time lacked the environmental safeguards we now regard as vital for coal mining in a State Conservation Area.

This modification proposal to extend the consent should be refused or, at the very least, varied to specify negligible levels of surface movements from mine subsidence - 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 level of subsidence permitted 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.

The ugly spectre of waste and product heaps needs to be prevented through screening and landscaping, so they do not scar the vista of surrounding parks and popular tourist destinations in the Capertee Valley .

I am also concerned about the failure to consider downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area in the Modification 3 proposal, since it seems that operations proposed under Modification 3 can discharge water pollution into Airly Creek. These 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 chance to comment. I hope that you will share my concern and uphold the longer term interests of the community in protecting this area from damage caused in the pursuit of short-term commercial gains.

Yours sincerely

Robyn Tinker

I object to the Modification in its current form.

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

I am a local resident and have been visiting Mt. Airly and the historic village since 1970, and have taken part in a number of plant surveys, bird surveys, and lyrebird song surveys. I also connect to several families whose relatives lived in the historic village area. The track now known as the Tramway Trail, within Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area, is a fabulous walk that is accessible to almost everyone, with nature, wonderful views and historic heritage all in the one location. This asset is of huge value to the local community. Our access and safety while visiting the Mt. Airly area should not be compromised by mine subsidence.

Centennial Coal assure us that subsidence will be minimal but while ever they continue to operate under the existing out-dated 1991 conditions they can legally drop the ground level by up to 1.8 metres which will potentially cause cliff collapses and subsidence. Our access will then be blocked indefinitely for safety reasons, and natural and scenic values will be lost for all time.

I agree with the World Heritage Advisory Committee recommendation that the Airly-Genowlan mesas should be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area once mining has been completed.

I am concerned that coal heaps are now visible from Glen Davis Road and from Pearson's Lookout, in contravention of an agreement to screen them with trees. The heaps should be covered to control acid run-off that will affect local waterways.

In these very dry times water is a big issue and the colliery waste water should not be allowed to pollute the local waterways which run into the Gardens of Stone National Park, and into Capertee Valley.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

(name given above)

I strongly believe any extension to this mining lease is unwarranted. I drive through this area every weekend on my way to the property owned by my partner & myself in the Capertee valley & find the sight of the existing mine, as with all the other coal mines on the way up the Mudgee Rd, to be an anathema to this spectacular country. In my view the existing mine should be closed & a decent attempt at repairing the damage done as this industry is nought but destructive, polluting & totally unnecessary, considering the advances in power generation across the globe. Do not allow this extension under any circumstances.

With the significance of this area in flora, fauna,historic(aboriginal) aswell as the unique beauty it is imperative that any coal mining permit's be declined so as to preserve the site intact for all Australians aswell as international visitors!!!!!

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,
Amanda Lissarrague

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. 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. 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.

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

This old development consent should not be extended because new assessment guidelines should be considered just like entirely new applications are considered under the latested guidelines and legislation.

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,

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

I do not support this application to extend the development consent for the Airly Colliery for an additional year. This outmoded development consent, which would allow significant and lasting damage to spectacular pagoda formations and cliffs of the area, should not be allowed to continue any longer beyond its current expiry date.
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 Environmental Assessment for Airly Colliery Modification 3 fails to address the Department of Planning's requirement to show ""where and how the mine plan has been been modified to take into consideration contemporary environmental standards and describe the resultant reduction in anticipated environmental impact." (section 1.5, p.4).
To extend the consent on the basis of allowing the company to keep mining until their large new extension project is approved is not an acceptable reason at all as that larger project has yet to be determined. To grant an extension on that basis is indicating that the main project will also be approved.
This application also fails to address a number of significant impacts.
It does not 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.
The historic Oil Shale Ruins are of special significance and are one of the best preserved heritage sites of its kind in. I oppose any coal mining that does not fully protect these historical Oil Shale Ruins from any form of coal pillar extraction.
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 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.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this application

Submission as an Objection - Airly Colliery DA 162/91 Modification 3
EXISTING CONSENT CONDITIONS ARE INAPPROPRIATE

I state my objections to the project listed above, on the following grounds:

1. 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.

For this reason this modification proposal to extend the consent should be either refused altogether, or else varied to specify almost undetectable levels of surface movements, i.e. mine subsidence.

2. Subsidence specified 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.

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

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

5. 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.

6. I am seriously 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, and such discharges would impact on the Gardens of Stone National Park, which is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

7. 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 giving me the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely,

I am a resident of the Capertee Valley since 1997. My husband and I have a tourism business in the valley, renting holiday accommodation & conducting tours of the Oil Shale Ruins.

It is apparent from growing visitations to the valley, that tourism has increased significantly over the last few years.

Amongst the extraordinary unique attractions within the valley, are the 2 outstanding mesas - Airly & Genowlan Mountains, with their 10% of all of Australian's biodiversity, & infamous geological features, especially significant being the "pagoda formations" , the Grotto, Genowlan Plateau, Kings Canyon, etc.
Adjacent to Airly Mountain are the Oil Shale Ruins of high heritage & historical value, rarely found & in relatively excellent condition. This is noted in "A Preliminary Heritage Assessment of Airly Shale Mining Complex" by Robynne Mills. There are also the natural springs which are found close by.

All this will disappear if:
1. There is a complete disregard for the due process of legislation, that is purportingly there to protect such significant environmental assets, obviously recognised when the Muggii Murum-ban State Conservation Area was created to supposedly protect such a place, a place that has been identified of World Heritage value. The IUCN has also recognised it to be of such value also.
2. All Risked for an inferior coal deposit of questionable viability
3.Centennial vs Coalpac battle to supply power station should not play roulette with the communities it risks destroying.
4. 1991 DA out of date & lacks informed research. It was agreed in 1993 to reduce impacts by reducing subsidence from 1.8m to 1.2 m & to only take 50% of coal extraction
5. Centennial is now going back on it's word & agreement & doing full extraction with a proposed panel 205 to be mined , under the cliff lines with an allowance of 1.8m subsidence. With devastating results to be sure.
6 If the mesa experiences maximum subsidence, the ruins will disappear , the springs, the grotto and much more. The impacts on water will be significant. This will impact on the unique biodiversity that the ecology relies upon, never mind the impacts on groundwater, & streams that the valley relies upon for livelihoods.
7. The Lidsdale Seam which is being mined on Airly(see Kim Baylys Report) is high in heavy metals, salt & also contains levels of sulphur. This will contaminate the streams that ultimately fall into the Colo River & finally the Nepean.
8. The coal piles visible as one enters the valley, are unacceptable from a visual perspective & from an environmental one. As the coal leaches out - it distributes its heavy minerals, salt & sulphur into Airly Crk , the landscape and Beyond.....
9. For all these reasons and more this mine should not continue, without a major reviewal of the economical justification, the extremely high risks it presents to the unique & very fragile landscape, impacts on tourism , water & the integrity of the legislative system.

Thankyou for this opportunity to comment
Sincerely
Mary Thirlwall

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,