MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I strongly support the wilpinjong coal mine extension, i have worked at wilpinjong coal mine for 16 years and value the ongoing commitment to the community.

No more coal mine extensions

Wilpingjong coal has brought over hundreds of jobs to the Mudgee and surrounding area. Wilpingjong coal has continued to grow our community and it’s also supported our community and families in the region with sponsors for our large and small fundraisers that help our town grown. The extension to Wilpingjong coal will only bring more support more jobs and more opportunities and life to our community.

I strongly support the extension submission of Wilpinjong Coal Mine. I support the way the mine is sustainably producing coal for thermal energy production. The extension to the mine will provide my family with more work and help keep us in the mudgee region for longer.

Unnecessary, destructive and not aligned with the values of the community circumventing proper approval processes, specifically;
- destruction of important aboriginal cultural heritage
- destruction of important habitat for multiple threatened species
- destruction of yet another rural community for the benefit of a foreign corporation
- contrary to consensus amongst the Australian people re transition to a clean energy future. Specifically competing against adjacent REZ.
- unnecessary impact on air and water quality in the region

The economic argument for coal versus renewables is over. The combined long-term cost to the Australian people of this industry has been proven to outweigh the benefits, particularly when cheaper viable alternatives exist. Continued expansion of the coal industry is transparent in its purpose of short-term financial gain for a very small number of mostly foreign owned corporations. This is not in the interest if the Australian people.

The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs
substantially from the current approved mine. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger
expansion in the near future that surrounds Wollar village. This ‘modification’ proposal should be assessed as a new project.
Wollar community is preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild, including a return of Aboriginal people
through successful land claims. The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ)
starts at Wollar being the first approved REZ in NSW. Wollar is the starting point for the transition
to clean energy. There should be no more expansion of coal mining.
This expansion will Release over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
Mining will occur to the boundary of Wollar Village
It will disturb an additional 155 ha, with loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation, and destroying more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
It will permanently alter and degrade alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
It will increase pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
There'll be increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
It will slow the transition to a clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West
There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes

Key points of objection:
1. 2. 3. 4. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
First stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project
Mining to the boundary of Wollar Village
Disturbing an additional 155 ha:
• loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation
• destroying more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared
Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in
the Wollar Creek catchment.
Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition
(spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West
Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage
for renewable energy projects in the Central West
10. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more
than public income generated through royalties and taxes

I Fully support the extension due to the benefit it provides the local community via the locals it employs, the local suppliers. It will also benefit the local government area due to the tax revenue it provides to government

Key points of objection:
1. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
2. First stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project
3. Mining to the boundary of Wollar Village
4. Disturbing an additional 155 ha:
• loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation
• destroying more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
5. Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
7. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
8. Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
9. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West
10. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes

I fully support the proposed mine extension because of the positive impact it has on our local community. The operation provides steady employment for around 600–700 local people and supports many small businesses and suppliers in the area. It also directly supports my own family, as I work at the mine and see firsthand the benefits it brings to the region through jobs, training, and economic stability.

Peabody Energy is proposing to mine right to the northern boundary of Wollar Village. I'd like to add my voice so that this project is not approved. I have young adult children who are anxious about the future and that of their own children. The science is clear that mining and then burning coal is a significant contributor to climate change, which is becoming more and more destructive as time ticks on. It is vitally important to stop coal expansion at this time when the world is urgently needed to transition to cleaner forms of renewable energy sources.

I know that you have received many submission clearly outlining how there is no justification for this coal mine expansion that will destroy more Wiradjuri cultural heritage sites, destroy a biodiversity hotspot for threatened microbats and critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and impact Wollar Creek, as well as causing more social distress for the community. Therefore I'm not going to repeat what has already been said with much more clarity than I can offer.

Please say no to this expansion, and be a part of the solution, not the problem that is set to endanger our future and our children's future.

Im writing to express my strong support for the Wilpinjong extensions. I firmly believe this will have a positive and lasting impact on our communities

Our current government struggles to control the exorbitant costs of renewables whilst offering little in return of energy performance and cost savings to the public and industry. Wilpinjong Coal Mine is one of Australia’s most productive & lowest emitting coal mines and remains committed to continually improving its environmental performance. Wilpinjong Coal Mine also employs a 605 strong local workforce, ~100 contractors and contributes a $400m annual spend with 1260+ suppliers. This mine and their product provide 25% of NSW coal generated power supply. I fully support the Wilpinjong Coal Mine MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension as would the Greater Mid-Western Region businesses, the mines workforce, the mines suppliers and the families of everyone directly or indirectly that relies on the mining industry in general.

My objections include:
1. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions
2. First stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project
3. Mining to the boundary of Wollar Village
4. Disturbing an additional 155 ha:
• loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation
• destroying more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
5. Permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination
7. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life
8. Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
9. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West 10. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.

Please seriously consider these objections. The ALP has been the government for the environment - remember Tasmania! I will be re-considering who I vote for if this Labor Government continues to expand coal minining, gas and any new coal or gas projects. Alternative energy sources are already available and cheaper than coal!

Kind regards Gillian O'Malley

see attached

This is a great project for this area. It employs a lot of local people. Supports projects throughout the community. This mine operates within its guidelines and would continue to do so. It has my total support for this project.

I strongly support this project. Good for the employment and the mudgee region.

SUBMISSION
Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension Project

I wish to register my objection to this project.

Peabody Energy's Wilpinjong open cut coal mine has approval to mine 16 MT/year to end of 2033. It is a wholly open cut operation disturbing over 30km2 of farmland and high biodiversity values between Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.

The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine. Its purpose is to facilitate a much larger expansion in the near future that surrounds Wollar village. This ‘modification’ proposal should be assessed as a new project. This project would cause enormous disruption to a village already hugely affected by the mining operation with further loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance to the rural way of life.. Wollar community is actually preparing to rejuvenate and rebuild and theAboriginal people were hoping to return with the assistance of successful land claims.

The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ) starts at Wollar. It is the first approved REZ in NSW. Wollar is the starting point for the transition to clean energy. Clearly at this late point in the energy demand and supply story there should be no more expansion of coal mining.

Aside from the impact on the human communities in the area, this project will destroy more important habitat for the many animal species including the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala.

The current mining operation has already caused enormous damage and disruption to the area. Any expansion of its operations would be totally unacceptable.

Thanks you for considering my submission.

My children work at Wilpingjong and this project is vital to the prosperity of the Mudgee Community.

Wilpinjong Coal Mine is a staple to the Midwestern region. The mine employs a significant number of people (majority local) and provides a platform for these people to earn great money while being upskilled. However, the benefits of this operation far surpass that of just work. Wilpinjong has a significant community influence, it supports foundations such as pink up, has aided in the return of doctors to Gulgong and helps events that bring business into the Mudgee such as the Panthers Raiders NRL game.

Additionally, to this Wilpinjong is a fantastic technical hub developing young skilled talent that will fuel the workforce of tomorrow. Wilpinjong invests into the training of workers involved in trades and technical fields. Stopping a project such as this from continuing will create one less avenue for people from the midwestern region to upskill. Additionally, Wilpinjong is one of Peabody's leading graduate training grounds meaning it produces future technical leaders for the mining industry in areas such as mining engineering, mechanical engineering, surveying and mechatronics.