MOD 3 - Capacity Increase

This is positive project for NCIG and its surrounding communities. Without having to make any changes to the current foot print or infrastructure its a positive step forward for our current investors, employees and all support networks that make NCIG. Its great for all the community groups, sports teams etc that NCIG supports that the demand and need for this expansion will ensure that important funding will continue long into the future.

I object to this project on the grounds that we, as a Nation, should be reducing the quantity of coal that we export due to the cumulative impact our coal is having towards climate change, we should not be increasing our coal exports.
Newcastle Port should be transitioning to a port facility for container packing import and export and also increased agricultural produce export.
The use and demand for coal is declining internationally due to its' impact on climate change, we therefore do not need to sink further investment that will become stranded assets and will prevent these important port facilities from transitioning to assist Newcastle towards a fossil fuel free economy.

As a contractor employed by NCIG, I have had the opportunity to view first hand the innovation and passion of the organisation to continually exceed its goals. NCIG's people are the foundation of the business and it is clear that this is a key value of the organisation. NCIG is continually committed to achieving outcomes of the highest standards which is a direct result of having passionate people, staff and contractors, working together to achieve this. I consider the proposed modification to be a direct result of the good work done by all involved in the organisation and believe that approval will see a substantial benefit for staff, contractors, suppliers and the local community.

I am in great favour of the increased terminal capacity for NCIG. To find additional capacity from existing assets and no need for further footprint or major changes to operating methodology is a tribute to the organisation and its shareholders. As Australian businesses attempt to remain profitable in a ever increasing competitive global environment the way in which NCIG is looking to expand presents a model that other business could follow. I am in great hope that the efforts of NCIG are rewarded with a positive approval for their plans to expand. Australia must remain open and supporting to business and economic development, NCIG has presented an opportunity to show support and I do hope that this opportunity is seized.

I work in the hunter valley coal industry and it would be beneficial to myself and many others employment

NCIG provides economic growth for the hunter and surrounding suburbs not to mention the employment opportunities and community support.

Whilst coal is still used to power the world, it makes sense that we utilise this facility to it's fullest potential to ensure economic viability and job retention in the region.

I support this project. I am currently undertaking a number of projects with NCIG and I have observed that as an organisation they appear to be able to optimise production without new infrastructure being required as part of the modification. Further, they are not seeking to change already approved environmental limits. Pleasingly, there will be no impact on residential properties as a result of the proposed increase in terminal capacity. NCIG is an organisation that lives its values by supporting it's employees and engaging with and supporting the wider community while at all times working very hard to minimise any impacts on the environment.

I am supportive of this project from an organisation that engages with their employees on continuous improvement initiatives. Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) are a fantastic organisation with a great culture both within the NCIG workforce and throughout the community.

The Plant Optimization proposed will give a much needed capacity increase for coal loading with the plant being able to operate with a higher level of efficiency.
As Newcastle Port is reliant on an ongoing channel dredging operation and high tide timing to maintain clearance for the loaded ships to leave the port a much more flexible operation of the coal loader will ensure that customers ships will have a much faster turnaround time to meet critical departure times.
Also with a higher efficiency in the loading process and the increase in throughput it will allow the coal loader to increase daily tonnage outputs to offset times when the coal loader is unable to operate due to high seas or closure of the port due to storm activity which could stop operation for several days at any time.
Additionally with improvements in the loader it will allow for a more efficient logistics chain with the incoming rail network and assist in removing any delays to the offloading of coal from various coal companies that require efficient movement of their product to remain competitive in an ever changing product cost environment.

Please see attached our letter of support for this project.

I support the project because it will help to improve the overall performance of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain, thereby ensuring that the Hunter Valley coal mining industry remains internationally competitive and economically sustainable. A commercially viable Hunter Valley coal mining industry is of crucial importance to the economy - at both national and local levels.

As an employee of NCIG, I know first hand how hard we work to ensure we comply with all our environment, safety and community obligations. In my 20 years of working in heavy industry, I have never seen an organisation believe in it's responsibilities across all levels as much as NCIG. It isn't a slogan or a policy within a document management system, but all our workforce, contractors and service providers feel a sense of pride and accountability on both our Operational and HSEC performance so it is for this reason that I write to formally support this application.

The application to increase our capacity is the result of many years of hard work in optimising our performance. It isn't about building new or additional infrastructure, but using great ideas and initiative of our workforce to optimise the already world class facility that we are. NCIG is achieving at and beyond these results now on a daily and weekly basis when demand necessitates with no detrimental impact on our performance across all the key performance indicators, so the increase in capacity feels very much a logical step.

This application based on our operating model continues to support the growth of the coal chain in areas we describe as Long Haul producers. It supports jobs both locally thorough our fabulous relationship with our contractors and suppliers on site as well as those who work in and for our Shareholders mines directly and indirectly.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss my submission in further detail if and when required.

Kind regards,

Lee Haggerty

I am in support of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) modifying their Project Approval to increase throughput capacity from 66Mtpa to 79Mtpa for the following reasons:
- NCIG provides an infrastructure service to the Hunter Valley Coal Chain, any increase in throughput will simply allow the business to achieve further efficiency and will not have any direct impact on increasing coal exports. This modification should be based on merit rather than preconceived notions about the coal industry in general.
- This modification will allow the business to grow without the need for additional expansion or capital works. The plant already has the capability to operate at this increased throughput.
- This modification will not cause any additional impacts to the surrounding environment or community. All current environmental conditions and limits would remain.
- NCIG provides great economic benefit to the local community and region through community support, employment, contractors and suppliers. Although this modification of the Project Approval would not directly lead to an increased throughput, the approval of this modification would allow the business to operate to it's full potential, benefiting the region economically.

In conclusion, I support the modification of NCIG's Project Approval for the aforementioned reasons.

To whom it may concern,

I believe that the NCIG proposal is a worthwhile project for the Newcastle community. It is my understanding that due to the ingenuity of the company, they have been able to find additional site capacity without the need to increase any environmental impacts. This is a revelation to NSW approvals and should be considered in respect to the goals that the NSW Environmental Protection Act set out to achieve. Sustainable development.

NCIG already has an approval in place to operate at 66Mtpa and it is proposed through approval of this proposal is to lift the maximum output to 79Mtpa without any additional impat on the environment or community.

This is a smart proposal that should be acceptable to the regulations and the local community as it demonstrates an understanding of the changing sentiment of the people of NSW toward coal and protection of community values. I believe this proposal may set a new benchmark for coal development in NSW to take a more contemporary approach to sustainability by putting real effort behind the commitment to mitigate the impact of the development.

Approval of this proposal is justified given the innovative efforts of NCIG to continue to operate within the prescribed legislation of NSW and more importantly within the community expectations for sustainable development within NSW.
Steve Bullman

Please find attached Port Waratah submission

I support the submission of the project as the economic benefits for the region across all aspects for the community would be beneficial.

Please find attached letter of support

This application should be refused. There can be no justification for increasing the capacity of coal export facilities given the urgent need to de-carbonise the world economy as an essential response to climate change. Existing capacity will more than suffice for any acceptable level of exports over the next few decades as a 'just transition' plan to phase out the Hunter and NSW thermal coal industry is implemented. Approval of increased capacity (while unlikely to be followed by investment given economic trends) would send entirely the wrong signal.
The proposed expansion would also have major adverse impacts on the environment, involving further encroachment into currently undeveloped areas of Koorangang Island and air, soil and water pollution.

Port Stephens Greens object to this proposal on environmental grounds. This application should be refused. There can be no justification for increasing the capacity of coal export facilities given the urgent need to de-carbonise the world economy as an essential response to climate change. Existing capacity will more than suffice for any acceptable level of exports over the next few decades as a 'just transition' plan is implemented to phase out mining of at least thermal coal in the Hunter and NSW more generally. Approval of increased capacity (while unlikely to be followed by investment given economic trends) would send entirely the wrong signal.
The proposed expansion would also have major adverse impacts on the environment, involving further encroachment into currently undeveloped areas of Kooragang Island and air, soil and water pollution.