Mod 3 - Airly Coal

The area under threat from Centennial Coal's proposal is one of the most spectacular natural places anywhere. It has great potential for tourism, but should the mining of coal cause the collapse of the amazing rock formations, and impinge on the beauty of the place, this long term value for the wider community will be sacrificed to private and short-term profit.
It is also distressing that, when so many people are volunteering time and effort to work on rehabilitating small remnant patches of bushland, that it can in any way be seen as appropriate to destroy huge swathes of high quality bushland for coal mining

No Extention No mining in and national park Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins putting at risk Airly Creek that flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park.

The mine is already negatively impacting on tourism in the Capertee Valley, due to unsightly coal and rock waste piles.

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

No Extention No mining in and national park Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins putting at risk Airly Creek that flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park.

The mine is already negatively impacting on tourism in the Capertee Valley, due to unsightly coal and rock waste piles.

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

No Extention No mining in and national park Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins putting at risk Airly Creek that flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park.

The mine is already negatively impacting on tourism in the Capertee Valley, due to unsightly coal and rock waste piles.

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

SUBMISSION OPPOSING AIRLY COLLIERY DA 162/91 MODIFICATION 3

I wish to lodge my very strong objection to the above proposal. I have spent many a holiday in this beautiful part of the world and cannot bear the thought of it being ruined.

My reasons for my objection are outlined below.

MINING METHOD

This modification 3 proposal would allow more intensive coal mining that causes 1.8 metres of vertical subsidence. If they continue to operate under the existing out-dated 1991 conditions they can legally drop the ground level by 1.8 meters, which will cause cliff collapses and subsidence.

Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins. Access will be blocked for ever for safety reasons, and natural and scenic values lost for all time.

Earlier negotiations regarding the creation of the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area, Centennial told the Colo Committee and the Colong & Wilderness Foundation that they only planned to remove half of the coal to ensure support for the surface. This would ensure that the maximum vertical subsidence would be 125mm.

MINING UNDER AIRLY VILLAGE WITH AN ANTICIPATED SUBSIDANCE OF 0.5 METRES

This is a fragile area and should be protected for heritage reasons. There has been no assessment of heritage issues.

GROUND WATER AND AQUIFERS.

Water impacts are critical as they will affect the World Heritage Area, agriculture and tourism

AGRICULTURE IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE APPLICATION

There is still the serious risk that bores and creeks (Gap, Genowlan and Emu) and the Capertee River will be affected by mining and farming will run short of water.


ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The environmental assessment does not mention the oil shale ruins, or that mine water discharges could put Airly Creek which flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park at risk. Other creeks affected will be Gap Ck, Genowlan Ck and Emu Ck which feed the Capertee River.

If the water fails then unique flora and fauna will be affected and our own personal enjoyment and tourism will be seriously affected.

I'm concerned that the coal heaps are NOW visible from Glen Davis Road and from Pearsons 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.

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

SUGGESTED OUTCOME

This consent should lapse and a new DA be submitted by Centennial for the entire operation.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,

Sharon Wilkinson

I wish to object to the Airly Mine Modification 3 on the following grounds.
I am concerned about the failure to consider the impact of mine effluent being discharged into Airly Creek, which then flows into the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Mine effluent should be treated to remove all dissolved metals and salts, before being discharged.
I am also worried about the amount of subsidence allowed under the 1991 development consent. Subsidence of up to 1.8m will cause damage to the pagoda rock formations on the surface. Subsidence levels should be reduced to a maximum of 125mm.
Existing rock waste piles and coal piles are unsightly and care should be taken to make sure that they are adequately screened.
Thank you for allowing me to make this submission.

SUBMISSION AS AN OBJECTION - AIRLY COLLIERY DA 162/91 MODIFICATION 3

I strongly oppose the above application and submit that it should be rejected.

I am a bird watcher and have long visited the Capertee Valley with many of my 'twitcher' friends because of the unique opportunities it presents for this pursuit.

My objections are outlined below:

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.

Bronwyn Gahan

SUBMISSION IN OPPOSITION TO AIRLY COLLIERY DA 162/91 MODIFICATION 3

I wish to register my strong objection to this application by Centennial Coal which is willing to sacrifice the environment for profit.

My reasons for the objection are outlined below.

- I am a photographer and a regular visitor to the area because of the variety of photographic opportunities it offers. The spectacular scenery and magnificent bird life are quite unique. Both are at risk due to this application.

- This proposed operation is situated in the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area encompassing Mt Airly and Genowlan Mountain in the Capertee Valley and will impact on the spectacular mesa with its dramatic cliffs, and multitudes of pagoda rock formations.

- Centennial Coal are endeavouring to extend the original 1991 development consent to October 2015 in an attempt to have it cover their present day intentions. Modification 3 is the first stage of its plan involving a major mine extension proposal, SSD 12_5581. It is an opportunistic attempt to utilise this early consent, granted in a period when little consideration was given to environmental impacts and before the area was given the status of State Conservation Area, in order to carry out high impact mining operations in the eastern section of the mine's current mining lease. These operations will involve increased extraction capacity and an upgrading of the existing infrastructure.

- In anticipation of the declaration of the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area (MMSCA), Centennial's negotiated conditions prior to restarting operations in 2009-10 involved low-impact extraction which would leave half the coal resource in the ground in order to support the surface and protect the Genowlan and Airly mesas by limiting subsidence to 125 mm or less.

- Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area was declared in 2011 and the conditions applying to mining there must conform to those applying to State Conservation Areas.

- As the regulatory framework pertaining to underground coal mining has been considerably tightened since 1991 and conditions for mining in a State Conservation Area are reasonably strict, the original 1991 development consent is therefore inappropriate as it lacks the current, necessary environmental safeguards. Subsidence of 1.8 m., allowed under the 1991 consent, is totally unacceptable and could cause enormous damage to the internationally significant pagodas and cliff lines.

- The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Advisory Committee claims that the environmental and heritage values of the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area are sufficiently important for it to be added to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area ONCE mining has ceased. We believe this should be sooner, rather than later, given the significant benefits to the area flowing from its inclusion.

- The area is of great scenic value and attracts many local and overseas tourists. One need not point out that collapsed pagodas and rock slides do not enhance the scenic beauty nor tourism potential of the area. Similarly waste dumps and stockpiles are an eyesore which, if they must exist, should be screened and landscaped. This is currently not being carried out.

- The downstream impacts on the World Heritage Area are not considered in this proposal. If approved, operations under Modification 3 will discharge saline waste into Airly Creek, into the Gardens of Stone National Park within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Leakage from waste and product dumps can also pollute watercourses.

- The ruins of the historic Oil Shale works, regarded as strategic to Australia's wartime oil supply, have great heritage value and need to be protected from Centennial's proposed venture.

For these reasons I submit that this application should be rejected outright.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR ME TO REPEAT IN THIS SUBMISSION, THE FACTS WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED. I OPPOSE THIS DIRTY GREEDY EARTH HATING ACTION. I SAY NO MORE. LEAVE IT ALONE.

SUBMISSION OPPOSING AIRLY COLLIERY DA 162/91 MODIFICATION 3

I wish to lodge my very strong objection to the above proposal.

I live in the Blue Mountains and in my younger years my family and I spent time walking in this beautiful area which I would not like to see ruined by mining.

The reasons for my objection are outlined below.

MINING METHOD

This modification 3 proposal would allow more intensive coal mining that causes 1.8 metres of vertical subsidence. If they continue to operate under the existing out-dated 1991 conditions they can legally drop the ground level by 1.8 meters, which will cause cliff collapses and subsidence.

Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins. Access will be blocked for ever for safety reasons, and natural and scenic values lost for all time.

Earlier negotiations regarding the creation of the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area, Centennial told the Colo Committee and the Colong & Wilderness Foundation that they only planned to remove half of the coal to ensure support for the surface. This would ensure that the maximum vertical subsidence would be 125mm.

MINING UNDER AIRLY VILLAGE WITH AN ANTICIPATED SUBSIDENCE OF 0.5 METRES

This is a fragile area and should be protected for heritage reasons. There has been no assessment of heritage issues.

GROUND WATER AND AQUIFERS

Water impacts are critical as they will affect the World Heritage Area, agriculture and tourism

AGRICULTURE IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE APPLICATION

There is still the serious risk that bores and creeks (Gap, Genowlan and Emu) and the Capertee River will be affected by mining and farming will run short of water.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The environmental assessment does not mention the oil shale ruins, or that mine water discharges could put Airly Creek which flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park at risk. Other creeks affected will be Gap Ck, Genowlan Ck and Emu Ck which feed the Capertee River.

If the water fails then unique flora and fauna will be affected and our own personal enjoyment and tourism will be seriously affected.

I'm concerned that the coal heaps are NOW visible from Glen Davis Road and from Pearsons 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.

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

RECOMMENDED ACTION

This consent should lapse and a new DA be submitted by Centennial for the entire operation.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Barbara Wakefield

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.

* 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
Ken Foster

submission in pdf form is attached

Submissions needed opposing Centennial Coal's dodgy mine extension
Centennial Coal proposes to continue mining in the Mugii Murum-Ban State Conservation Area (Mount Airly and Genowlan Mountain in the Capertee Valley) under an old consent that allows 1.8 metres vertical subsidence when the coal is extracted. The entire western coalfield is now up for grabs as EnergyAustralia moves to secure a reliable supply of coal for its power plants. This newly privatised power generating infrastructure must not dictate the destruction of this important reserve and other sensitive areas in its bid to force down coal prices!

SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE - Wednesday July 9th, 2014

Lodge your submission online following the step by step process below this summary.

SUMMARY: The proposed Airly Colliery modification 3 proposal seeks to extend its old, 1991, development consent to October 2015. Centennial Coal claims it needs this modification to allow it to continue mining while it prepares a big mine extension project (SSD 12_5581). This modification 3 proposal would continue to allow intensive coal mining that causes 1.8 metres of vertical subsidence. Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins. The environmental assessment does not even mention the oil shale ruins, or mine water discharges could continue, putting at risk Airly Creek that flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park.

The mine is already negatively impacting on tourism in the Capertee Valley, due to unsightly coal and rock waste piles.

Centennial is playing this application both ways, offering to mine with minimal damage on one hand, while wanting to retain the ability for high impact coal mining on the other. We have to make Centennial play by the rules it agreed to and limit mine subsidence to almost undetectible levels. Ask that this proposal either be refused outright or be amended to prevent any subsidence greater than 125mm.

Airly Colliery Modification Proposal Number 3
Next, go to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure webpage for the Airly Colliery proposal Mod 3

Scroll down to the online submission form
Complete your name etc.
In the `Submission' box, please include your own message and/or some of the points below:
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,

- See more at: http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/node/539#sthash.1xIHN3iI.dpuf

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.
- See more at: http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/node/539#sthash.bjvKfYUG.dpuf
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Yours faithfully,

Lisa Thomson

Please keep this unique and beautiful area pristine for future generations.
This modification 3 proposal would continue to allow intensive coal mining that causes 1.8 metres of vertical subsidence. Such mining will destroy this spectacular mesa with its thousands of pagodas, dramatic cliffs and the "New Hartley" oil shale ruins. The environmental assessment does not even mention the oil shale ruins, or mine water discharges could continue, putting at risk Airly Creek that flows into the World Heritage listed Gardens of Stone National Park.

The mine is already negatively impacting on tourism in the Capertee Valley, due to unsightly coal and rock waste piles.

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 have been visiting this area since I was a child and am still captivated by its natural beauty

Please reconsider any decisions that will bring harm to the "Gardens of Stone", this is a very special place, coal is precious too, please leave it in the ground as a fossil, do not mine it as a fossil fuel, this benefits nothing , and costs everything, money is not an acceptable reason for this destruction, there are no excuses for this crime against nature and our mother Earth!

Submission as an Objection to Airily Colliery Modification DA162/91

I agree this area, the Mujii Muram-ban State Area is best kept as Heritage listed, as proposed by World Heritage Advisory Committee.

Submission as an Objection to Airily Colliery Modification DA162/91

I agree this area, the Mujii Muram-ban State Area is best kept as Heritage listed, as proposed by World Heritage Advisory Committee.

I am extremely concerned about mining in the Mt Airlie and neighbouring Gardens of Stone areas. They are incredible places of irreplaceable natural beauty, abundant in native fauna and flora. Ideally this area would not be mined at all, given that there exist significant alternative options to explore if there were the long-term political vision and will to do so.

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.

With regards,
Grace Woodbury