Mod 3 - Extension

I have grown up in Muswellbrook and have seen the long term community involvement Bengalla has had with the surrounding commnities for many years. I fear that if the Mount Pleasant modification is approved, it would allow the rail line to remain across the path of the Bengalla mine and will cause the mine to grind to a hault. This would have far reaching implications long beyond the direct loss of jobs and income within the community.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 Proposal and seek that the department of planning and environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.

Yet again the potential development of another major coal mine in the hunter valley is creating uncertainty for existing businesses that have operated successfully and sustainably for generations.

The NSW government should not allow this mine to proceed.

I started work at Bengalla in 2002. My role is a mining supervisor. I take pride working at Bengalla and knowing my company is well respected in the local Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter. I know Bengalla is well respected due to one of the fundamentals to the set up of Bengalla, and that's to use local people and support local business.
Bengalla has been a great employer for me and my family over the years. Bengalla has provided my family with stability and a great place to work for me. The business has always been positive and remained a strong contributor to the local small business community in recent tough times in the mining industry.
The best outcome for Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter is both Bengalla and MtPleasant to mine their respective resources in a community oriented, environmentally safe manner. I believe that for the NSW government to support both resources, the mod 3 application needs to be declined as it has been applied for. Any further development at MtPleasant should address the spatial position of the rail transport of coal from the MtPleasant mining area. It brings a negative value to approve MtPleasant mod 3 to continue mining at MtPleasant for 6 years at the detriment of an established, well respected local company in Bengalla that has a mining approval to 2039.

I have worked at Bengalla mine for ......... as a ............. in the CHPP.
Bengall mine is a intregral part of Muswellbrook and the surrounding area as it provides support for the community in ways such as jobs for the residents as well as donations for various community asscoiations.
I am concerend that the Mt Pleasant modifcation will affect Bengalla mine in the future with the location of the rail loop, which will curtail the life of Bengalla mine resulting the loss jobs to myself and the rest of the workforce and the flow on effect to the Muswellbrook community and surrounding areas.
I feel the best outcome for Bengalla, Mt Pleasent Muswellbrook, NSW and Australia is that both mine are able to continue for their full lives........

Iam currently employed at Bengalla as a CHPP technician and have worked at Bengalla for the past 9.5 years. Over the past 9.5 years it has been a stable and enjoyable place of employment which has enabled me to support my family in the local community.
Iam very concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification if approved will allow the railway line and train loadout loop area for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla Mine to cease operation causing myself and current employees and contractors (600 personal) to loose there jobs which would have a detrimental impact on the local community.
Iam also concerned that a large number of local businesses would be affected by the closure of Bengalla Operations.
The best outcome for Bengalla, Mount Pleasant and local cummunities is that both mines continue to their full life and work together to resolve the issue with the Mount Pleasant railway line and Train Loadout area.

I Have worked at Bengalla for ............ as a ...............,during this time I Have supported the local community by using local accomodation when on Shiftwork, I Have learned that Bengalla is integral to the success of the local community and also supports lots of community organisations and events, I am concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification if approved will allow the railway line for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself and 600 Bengalla employees to loose their jobs. I am also concerned about the impact on local businesses that will be affected by bengalla curtailing its operation. The best outcome for Bengalla, MT Pleasant, Muswelbrook,NSW and Australia is that both mines continue for their full life

I am a .............. at Bengalla mining company, I have been employed for ............ at this site and in the time I have been here I can see the importance of this mine to this region, it employs local people and uses local companies to supply labour and supplies to the mine site. I am concerned that the mount pleasant modification if approved will allow the rail line to remain in place and cause bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself and 600 employees to lose their jobs. As an older worker the life span at bengalla mine would see my working life to retirement. The best outcome for both mines would be to see continuation to there full life

I've worked at Bengalla Mine for over 11 years in the CHPP.
My family relies on this income that would be cut short if this consent is approved in its current form, as Bengalla would be forced stop mining due to the position of the Mount Pleasants rail loop. It would be a shame if both mines couldn't continue mining for the full length of their consent, as Bengalla would have to leave millions of tonnes of coal unmined.

I have work at Bengalla for ...........
My role at Bengalla is a ..................
I have lived in Muswellbrook .....................
Living in the community and working at Bengalla I've come to learn the important contributions Bengalla make to our community.
Bengalla has been a safe and pleasant work place supporting over 500 local jobs and surrounding businesses for more than a decade.
Bengallas role in the Muswellbrook and surrounding communities is extremely important to our local economy.
I am extremely concerned that the mount pleasant modification of approved will cause Bengalla cease operations and cause myself and over 600 other local community members there jobs.
This will have a massive impact on the already fragile local economy that is slowly beginning to rebuild.
it will impact myself as a recent first home buyer and every other employee here working to support there families.
Our best possible outcome for this community of the upper hunter, Bengalla, Mt pleasant, NSW and Australia is that both mines continue for there full life.

To whom it may concern;
I object to the application by Mount Pleasant as it will directly affect my employment at Bengalla Coal Mine.
I have worked at Bengalla since 2011, as a contractor and recently recieved a permanent position as a production technician with the mine. I am a Muswellbrook local and have a strong connection with the local community.
I know the good work that Bengalla its employees do around Muswellbrook and the rest of the hunter valley. In tough times in the coal industry Bengalla has kept me with a stable job along with a lot of other people and businesses in the area.
If the Mount Pleasant modification is approved and the rail loop isn't moved it will affect Bengalla, its 600 employees and the small businesses that have contracts with Bengalla and will have a devestating effect on the local community as we have seen in the last few years with the closure of Drayton and the downturn in the industry.
I am not opposed to Mount Pleasant, I believe both mines working together is the best outcome for the local community, as I have noticed in town with the current build of Mount Pleasant increasing house prices and filling up vacant rentals.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my submission.

I have worked at Bengalla MIne for the the last 5 years full time and 2 years prior as a contractor.

I have lived in Muswellbrook and Scone my whole life and I know all the postivie contributions that Bengalla has on the community with all their fundraisers and all their community support.

I would like to see Bengalla and Mt Pleasant work together to allow both companies to run successfully for their full life.

If this doesnt happen it could have a huge impact on the community with the major loss of jobs and potentially my own as I plan to live locally and work at Bengalla for many more years to come.

Blackrock is a indigenous business located in Muswellbrook NSW. We have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to be one of the first businesses to get a start at the Mach energy project. In the time we have been on the project we have worked closely with the Mach team. They feel strongly about engaging with local businesses and also with working with the local and indigenous community. I believe if Mach energy are successful in receiving their extension the benefits will have a very positive impact to the Muswellbrook area. The opportunity for not only employment of more locals but also opportunities for local business growth. This expansion will have a roll on effect with more support for community groups.

Bengalla mine is a well established mine that can produce a lot of coal given it continues for the entire life of mine. This will provide and maintain numerous jobs in the years to come. I am extremely concerned that if the Mount Pleasant modification 3 is approved, will allow the railway line for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation.

This curtail will cause 600 Bengalla employees to lose their jobs. My mother who works at Bengalla would be one of these employees, this WILL cause our family to spiral downwards. We will be in financial peril, where no foreseeable events will end in us barely being able to buy food.

Bengalla is a very active member of the Muswellbrook community and it supports a number of organizations and events. Therefore, a large number of local businesses will be affected by Bengalla curtailing its operations which will cause even more job loses around the community.

Personally, I was given the opportunity to do work placement here at Bengalla as part of my mechanical engineering degree. They have been extremely generous and I hope to return here after I finish my degree.

The best outcome for all stakeholders is that both mines, Bengalla and Mt Pleasant continue for their full life.

I am a Bengalla mine employee of 7 years and have lived in the local area this time and plan on doing so for the life of my employment but approval of Mt pleasant could affect my employment and the rest of the workforce as the mt pleasant project would not let Bengalla reach the life of the consent.
The community that Bengalla workforce come from will be majorly affected also with loss of jobs and community support from Bengalla.

Approving this would be costly on the local community with jobs as well as major impact on families possibly leaving the area

Bengalla is a well-respected Coal Mine in the upper Hunter. The regions economical heath has benefited greatly since it started and will continue to do so if the mine can continue to operate. My family and the local businesses I support rely on Bengalla's future. Mt Pleasant and Bengalla should both be able to successfully mine together. However, not at Bengalla expense. Please consider this carefully when making a decission.
Regards,
Stephen

My name is kyron Turner
I have been employed at Bengalla coal mine for the past 4 years ago am employed as a mining technician.
During my time at Bengalla I have learned that Bengalla is intergral to the success of the local community,I am very concerned that the MT pleasant modification if approved will allow the railway line for MT pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself an 600 other employees to lose there jobs.
I am very concerned on the impact on the local community and local businesses,the best outcome for Bengalla is MT pleasant mines can work together for a greater outcome an can continue to there full life.
Regards
Kyron Turner

I have been working at Bengalla now for ........ and living within the Muswellbrook community for ..........If the rail loop was to go ahead the impacts to my life and my family would be made harder to live the life that we deserve.

Effecting over 600 employees within Muswellbrook the town I would think would become hard for local bussinesses to keep running and potentialy close.

Best outcome is that both pits come to an arrangemnt so they run to full life

I support the continued operations of all coal mines in the valley. I support the local communities succeeding.

A new company in the region only means more jobs and greater community engagement

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.

No mining has taken place on this site since the DA was granted in 1999 which is 18 years ago. In that time there have been substantial changes to government policies, environmental requirements and community expectations. It is obvious that any environmental impact studies done 18 years ago would be no longer valid, nor would they reflect current cumulative impacts.

The impact of mining in and around Muswellbrook has grown significantly worse in the last 18 years with deterioration of air quality, greater noise impacts and visual impacts.

The proponent has admitted that air quality and noise exceedences already occur due to the cumulative impacts of Mt Arthur and Bengalla mines. This alone is a reason for this mine not to proceed.

It is unfair and unreasonable to expect that mining can co-exist so close to our towns, agriculture and tourism industries.

This proposal should not be approved.