MOD 3 - Capacity Increase

Whilst there's an increase in tonnes there will be no increase infrastructure and will ensure the employment of thousands both directly and indirectly

More employment for the region, better for the economy

CPCFM Objects to this proposal for the reasons set out in the attached Objection

I support this project, based on Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's proven track record and many positive contributions to the local community.

Expanding the capacity of the terminal will allow the NCIG terminal to provide their customers with the necessary service into the future, and in doing so support the jobs of those throughout the Hunter Valley coal chain. The jobs supported will include those both within and servicing the mines, railways and terminal itself.
The terminal has a long history of proactively managing its impacts on, and supporting the local communities. On balance, NCIG provides an exceptionally positive contribution to the Hunter Valley region.
The incremental increase in the capacity is within the capability of the terminal infrastructure as it stands today, and so far as I understand, will not require any modifications to its operation in a way that will impact noise, dust or traffic movements in a way that would negatively impact the local communities to a significant degree.

Please see attached submission.

i support the project

I also 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 to phase out mining of at least thermal coal in the Hunter and NSW more generally 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 Kooragang Island and air, soil and water pollution.

The Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator Limited (‘HVCCC’) is a company limited by the guarantee of its Members, who are the coal Producers and Service Providers operating in the Hunter Valley. NCIG is one of two coal terminal operators in the Port of Newcastle and is a HVCCC Member. The role of HVCCC, pursuant to its Objects, is to ‘plan and co-ordinate the co-operative operation and alignment of the Coal Chain in order to maximise the volume of coal transported through the Coal Chain, at minimum total logistics cost in accordance with the agreed collective needs and contractual obligations of Producers and Service Providers.’ Anything that impacts or has the potential to impact the movement of coal in the Hunter Valley is a consideration for HVCCC.

As a local resident of the harbour foreshore I have taken an interest in this initiative. I have noted that a number of optimisation initiatives have been identified and implemented by employees of NCIG over the past four years that have resulted in a potential increased operating capability of 79 million tonnes per annum. A modification of the Project Approval would allow the maximum throughput of the NCIG terminal to be in line with the capability this innovation provides. The Newcastle port currently has enough capacity to meet expected demand, so this modification would not directly lead to an increase in Newcastle coal exports. Instead it would allow the coal industry to utilise the current coal logistics chain in a more flexible and efficient way. No new infrastructure would be required. All other Project Approval conditions, including environmental limits, would not change. I am impressed to learn that the completed environmental assessments confirm continued compliance with the environmental limits at residential properties such as my own, as a result of the proposed increase in terminal capacity. More companies should be encouraged to implement positive strategies for the optimisation of allocated resources . I believe that NCIG is making a further commitment to the Hunter region, our local workforce, suppliers, contractors and the community to sustainably continue their operations well into the future.

There is no need for this increase. There has been no significant increase in tonnage over the last few years.
2015 - 49.5 million tonnes
2016 - 52 million tonnes
2017-18 - 53.4 million tonnes
2019 53 million tonnes
There is still a 13 million tonne buffer between their highest export of 53 million tonnes and their current license of 66 million tonnes.
Coal prices have been going down, and have slumped by a further 27% since the Covid-19 pandemic according to The Financial Review May 11 2020.
Newcastle needs to diversify away from fossil fuels for a chance at economic recovery.
Not to mention the amount of coal dust over the city and surrounding areas causing health problems in the community.
This should not go ahead.

I support the project to secure existing jobs, and to provide stable economic conditions for our region. Through providing additional capacity to our local mining industry which pay royalties to support our community and state. It will also enable more output of coal for the terminals customers.

I support this project. I believe it adds a valuable injection to the state and hunter economy, through continued employment, both directly and indirectly.
It also strengthens the hunter regions ability to meet continued demand for export, Good quality coal.

As an employee of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, I'm extremely proud of NCIG and the optimisation projects that were completed over the years at the terminal. These projects and improvements were identified during workshops and suggestions made by our people. Our capacity increase will be achieved without the requirements for additional plant, infrastructure or land, simply by doing things smarter.
Our local community will benefit, through training of apprentices, providing employment to locals, supporting local charities, community groups, sporting organisations and suppliers.
The capacity increase will also support our Hunter Valley mining communities and operations. Providing a reliable and sustainable export terminal to ship our resources to market. Our State and Country will also benefit from the increased royalties that help pay for services, Hospitals and schools.

Please see attached a submission of Objection to this project on behalf of Climate Action Newcastle.

Dear Assessors,
I object to this proposal.
Please see my brief submission attached.
Susan Morley

I support the project. Particularly if it leads to the early closure of Carrington Coal Export Terminal.

This project should not go ahead. Global coal usage fell in 2019 by 1.3% compared to 2018 levels (https://www.iea.org/articles/global-co2-emissions-in-2019). In order to keep global warming below 2 degrees, and as close to 1.5 degrees as possible, thermal coal consumption for electricity will be phased out by 2040 in all countries, and in all probability in developed countries by 2030. Coal consumption for other industrial purposes (such as steel making etc.) can be replaced with hydrogen, as has been demonstrated in Sweden (http://www.hybritdevelopment.com). Particularly if the Adani mine goes ahead, demand for coal from Newcastle will fall in the future.

At this point, wind and PV are the "cheapest form of new build energy generation in areas that count for two thirds of the world’s population, and 85 per cent of the globe’s electricity generation". New coal-fired power stations will be few and far between. https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-wind-and-battery-storage-now-cheapest-energy-options-just-about-everywhere-95748/

The NCIG website states that the majority of the coal that passes through the port is bound for Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (https://www.ncig.com.au/business/ncig-value-chain), to be used in their power stations. Korea are implementing a Green New Deal to aid in recovering from the Covid crisis, which "includes a carbon tax, a requirement to end investment in coal, and a focus on investment in renewable energy sources, as well as a hydrogen strategy" https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/04/16/south-korea-embraces-eu-style-green-deal-for-covid-19-recovery/#10609dd05611. Japan and Taiwan are likely to follow the path of other developed countries and retire coal-fired power stations as renewables take over.

Finally, the air quality for the local residents in the Hunter region has been compromised by the mining and transport of coal through their community for too long. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-25/air-quality-stokes-community-pollution-fears-in-nsw-upper-hunter/11638418

Expanding this coal terminal is the wrong decision.

I work for a rope manufacturing business that supplies steel ropes to draglines. The business has been manufacturing on the same site in Newcastle for 97 years and employs 105 people.
Without coal being exported we have no need to make ropes.
I support the professionalism of the NCIG operations and their great level of management, oversight and community engagement.
I fully support the expansion of their facilities to enable the high energy low ash coal of the hunter valley replace the low energy high ash supply that is sold from other parts of the world.
The high level of detail management from NCIG and the high quality of the export coal are both great to support for our local region.

An NCIG plant optimisation approval will allow NCIG to realise the terminal potential with little need for new plant / infrastructure to be commissioned. There are a number of benefits that Newcastle and the Hunter Valley will see from this capacity change, but what does this change mean for NCIG employees ? It secures not only our families future in the local community, but the flow on impact that comes with wages being earned and spent in Newcastle district.