MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

Hello,

My name is Cindy, and I'm a citizen with an avid love of hiking, nature and our native animals.

Recently I visited the town of Wollar and also the site of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine, which is really not that far from the town. After talking with residents of the area, I was dismayed to see the impact the mine has had on the town. I learnt that Peabody Energy has proposed to expand the mine under the guise of a 'modification' which would bring the boundary of the mine even closer to Wollar. I wholly reject the proposal, as it should be assessed as a new project, not a modification.

It's clear the impact the mine will have on many many aspects; the community of Wollar, the already endangered species that depend on the untouched bushland for survival, and the creeks and water systems that depend on the groundwater in the surrounding area.

While visiting the Mudgee area, I had the opportunity to visit Hands on Rock site. It was a great experience and insight into the history of our First Nations people. The expansion of the mine would cause further destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and rob the Wiradjuri Nation of sites that are significant to their culture.

The proposal would also dig further into bushland that are thankfully still untouched. I'm aware of many endangered animals that depend on the land for survival; our Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koalas. With such critically endangered animals depending on the land for habitat, it makes very little sense to allow the mine expansion to go ahead.

The extra emissions far outweigh any local economic benefit. With the worsening climate change already affecting all Australians, it makes little sense to invest in fossil fuels. We should be prioritising a clean energy transition, especially as Wollar is a gateway to the Central West REZ.

I reject Peabody's Mod 3 proposal.

I visited the Wollar region last weekend and was confronted by the large scale coal mines surrounding the area. There are many good reasons why the project should not go ahead:
1) Impacts on local community including air and sound pollution. It was devastating to hear how the population has dwindled from 300 to 50 people in the past decade as a result of coal mine expansion.
2) Increase in emissions - the Wilpinjong coal mine already produces 16m tonnes of coal each year. The modification would generate an additional 25 MT CO2e of Scope 3 emissions. This project will accelerate climate change which will leave devastating impacts for future generations across Australia and globally.
3) Biodiversity and heritage impacts - the project will disturb 145 ha of native vegetation including the Drip gorge which is in a fragile state.

Our asks:

1. Reject Peabody Energy’s Mod 3 proposal – it should be assessed as a new project, not a modification.
2. Protect Wollar Village – mining should not be allowed to extend to village boundaries.
3. Stop further destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage – Mod 3 will destroy 15 additional sites significant to the Wiradjuri Nation.
4. Defend critical wildlife habitat – the project threatens endangered species including the Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater, and Koala.
5. Protect local water systems – the mine will cause groundwater drawdown of over 20m and reduce creek flows by 21 million litres per year.
6. Prioritise the clean energy transition – Wollar is the gateway to the Central West Renewable Energy Zone. Coal expansion here slows NSW’s transition and competes for workers needed in renewables.
7. Reject unjustified climate and economic impacts – the extra emissions far outweigh any local economic benefit.

I strongly support the purposed modification for wilpinjong mine. I’m a Currently emplyee at at wilpinjong, Having a secure well providing job is important to me to continue to provide for my family and the Mudgee community.

I stand for wilpinjong mine and its extension projects. The potential benefits of this extension for the local community and the state and personally for me is huge. The jobs and the economic benefits are going to be good for my future as well as the community future.

Dear decision makers,
My name is Kate Lindsay and I am a renewable energy engineer. I have an interesting personal background in that my Dad was a coal mining engineer, and my paternal grandfather and great grandfather imported coal and oil into Ireland. The concessions I have had to make with my Dad, that you are not considering, is that yes we have got to where we are now through coal allowing medicine, technology etc, but we know better now and should do better.
This modification will impact local underground waterways, and impact all those species that rely on that water including through the drip. Yes renewables also have an impact but not to the groundwater in such a devastating level as an open cut mine. I'm aware that the local community are worried about this water, and supportive of the local renewable zone but not the mine extension.
This modification project will have known impact on local aboriginal cultural heritage. As someone who recently participated in a cultural heritage survey for my renewable energy development project with a Wiradjuri land group, loss or damage to these sites will be devastating. Renewables have the ability to avoid, manage and minimise impact in a way that open cut mines can't.
If you support this project, and let it continue, you are stopping us from progressing in the right direction. We know this is not the development we need.
I urge you to go and talk to the local community who oppose this project, who were promised the world when coal came into town in this area in the 80s, and they were promised economic improvements, which never eventuated. The community does however have positive things to say about the economic impact of the renewables in the area, and how those projects are ensuring real impact is seen in those local levels.
Half of Newcastle Port is being redeveloped for renewables anyway so how are they planning to export it anyway?
Kind Regards,
Kate Lindsay

Please let the stage 3 development go ahead

I strongly support the Wilpinjong mine modification. Wilpinjong provides hundred of local jobs, many of my family and friends are employed either directly or indirectly due to Wilpinjong operations. This extension will continue to support these jobs.
The local economy also benefits massively from Wilpinjong operations and with this extension that will be able to be continued

I work for peabody and it changed my life. I am able to support my family and even my extended family on my wage while still maintaining a healthy work life balance. I support the extension simply because of the positive impact it had on my life and the lives around me. And to the mudgee community.

I am in support of the pit 8 extension at wilpinjong as it boosts the loacal economy and provides jobs to local people and families and would like to see this mine stay operational for years to come and become a generational mine

I work at Wilpinjong mine full time employee and working here has helped me support my family and children in their education and future activities.
Allowing me to live and support businesses in the local and local areas.
I strongly support the proposed modification for Wilpinjong mine as Mudgee and the local communities as a whole it would be a great shame if this extension was not approved.
I have family and friends that work at Wilpinjong mine and the surrounding mines and it’s a strong vibrant community

I support this project so Wilpinjong can continue to support me through employment and continue to help the community through community funding and engagement.

I strongly support the modification due to local jobs and the positive future for the Mudgee community in the for coming years.

I support the Pit 8 Extension as it provides hundreds of jobs to locals in Mudgee, which provides an enormous benefit to the Mudgee community. Wilpinjong works with its community and people at the heart, supporting over 160 community organisations over the last ten years, with many being local suppliers. Mudgee mines sustainably, effectively rehabilitaitating its mining areas.

I strongly support the modification for wilpinjong mine, I work at wilpinjong that helps me support my young family, it has helped my buy a house and it is still currently helping pay off my house.

I work at the mine and appreciate everything they do for the community and the environment. I’m proud to tell people about the rehabilitation of natural lands within the mine after being mined.
The money injected into the community through donations and wages is great for the area.
My wife owns a business in the local area and will most likely suffer if mining wasn’t present.

I work at the mine

Th project will maintain employment for the workers currently employed by Peabody supplying coal for export and local power generation for the state of NSW. Peabody also support a lot of local business and charity events and are involved in the community.

I fully support the project for the economic prosperity it will bring to the region

I support the project
I have worked at Wilpinjong for 19 years and had my family in Mudgee all this time
I love the Mudgee area and the mine is good for the town
i would like Wilpinjong mine to keep moving ahead in the area because I will be a part of the local area for a long time to come

This mine has supported the local area for
Many years
It creates many jobs
I have been lucky enough to be employed by Peabody
I moved my family to live in the local area
If it wasn't for Peabody the local small towns
Would be affected in a big way
Need to have big business in the area to support
These smaller Townships