MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

This mine expansion should not be approved.
This mining will come to the boundary of Wollar Village further diminishing the lives of those in the local community, with dust, noise, blasting and lighting impacts.
More environmental damage will happen, threatening the habitat of birds, bats and koalas.
Water sources will be degraded.
It is time for the authorities to take climate change seriously and stop the expansion of coal mines in NSW.

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, which should be assessed under the Water Trigger in the EPBC Act.
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 (see attached letter to federal environment minister}.

To whom it may concern;
I am writing as a resident of your electorate that I am objecting against the extension of the Wilpinjong coal mine as it causes considerable noise and air pollution, discomfort, anxiety and hearing loss amongst nearby residents. We should be investing in hydroelectric power, wind farms and solar panels, as a forefront of combatting climate heating. Regards, Patrick

We need to wean ourselves off coal for the sake of our children and grandchildren. We cannot keep putting off the hard decisions and expect the rest of the world to listen to Australia about reducing our greenhouse gases while Australia keeps digging up more and more coal. The time to stop is now.

The project would release an additional 25 MT of greenhouse gas emissions, destroy precious remaining Honeyeater, Bat and Koala habitat, and bring mining to the edge of Wollar Village, causing immeasurable social distress and pollution for residents. Wilpinjong sits next to Moolarben and Ulan coal mines – all three are vying for expansion. Unlike Moolarben, Wilpinjong has submitted a modification proposal in place of a full development application, wanting to slip through the planning system without independent scrutiny.

To: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

RE:SSD-6764-Mod-3 - Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension Mod 3

This is a statement of objection to this major project application.

Firstly it should not be assessed as a modification as it will lead to a major expansion to the existing mine. It should be assessed as a new project.

It will risk major impacts, environmental, social, heritage and economic as listed below:

• encroaching on nearby Wollar village forcing residents to leave,

• damaging several significant aboriginal heritage sites,

• creating worker shortages within the Central West where new workers are required for the Renewable Energy Zone,

• Significant groundwater drawdown that will have biodiversity impacts

• Mine disturbance will significantly impact two critically endangered ecological communities (CEEC) and eleven endangered fauna species.

Yours sincerely

Jill Green

Please see attached document

I object because the project would:

1. Release over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions

2. Be the first stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project

3. Mine to the boundary of Wollar Village

4. Disturb an additional 155 ha resulting in a loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation and destroy more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala

5. Permanently alter and degrade alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in
the Wollar Creek catchment.

6. Increase pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination

7. Increase social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life

8. Slow the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar

9. Not be needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West

10. Have no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes

I strongly object to the project with detailed information attached

I object to The proposed mine modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine, and for the following reasons:
PEOPLE
There is ample evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region with spiritual connection to country. Mod 3 will cause the destruction of an additional 15 sites. The proposed new area will take open cut mining operations to the boundary of Wollar Village
Pollution from current mining has caused significant health and well-being impacts on the Wollar community forcing many people to sell up to Peabody Energy and leave the district. The Social Impact Assessment identified seven positive social outcomes if the proposal doesn’t go ahead and only two negatives.
BIODIVERSITY
The proposed extension of mine disturbance will significantly impact two critically endangered ecological communities (CEEC) and eleven endangered fauna species, for example ; Box Gum Woodland CEEC: Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater, Koala
WATER
Will cause a groundwater drawdown of over 20m and loss of groundwater (base)flows to Wollar Creek of over 21 million litres per year. No monitoring has been done within the area of mine expansion to establish a baseline or measure impacts from current mining operations in Pit 8.
NOT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PROJECT
The proposed extension should not be assessed as a modification because it is not substantially the same as the current mine approval:
• Falls outside the current mining lease
• Is part of a larger expansion project
• Mines to Wollar Village boundary
• Encroaches on Wollar Creek catchment
• Causes additional biodiversity impacts under Federal environmental law
• Destroys a new area of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance
CLIMATE CHANGE
Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emission. 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 . There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.



.

Wilpinjong mine is an asset to our community providing jobs and funding grants for community projects

I am a mere member of the NSW general population who can observe the stress the planet is undergoing.

Extending another mine in NSW so close to the village of Wilga seems absurd in the extreme. Particularly bearing in mind the platform that Federal Labour took to the last election.

Too much extra carbon will be emitted as a result of this project. Clearly labour and corporate priorities are being taken ahead of environmental factors.
I do not support this attempt to increase coal output from Australia.

It is inconceivable that any new coal mine should be opened or that any extension should be granted to an existing coal mine. The use of fossil fuels for energy production is a major issue in the production of greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is happening now and everything possible should be done to prevent its progress!

Please see our submission in attached document.

I am very familiar with the Ulan and Wollar areas and I object to any further coal mining activities in this region due to their unacceptable impacts on communities and the environment. My submission is attached.

Please find attached our letter of support

Submission: Objection to Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension

I am lodging this submission as a local agri-tourism operator in the Mid-Western region. I strongly object to the proposed Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension.

This proposal goes far beyond a simple modification — it represents a major new expansion that would bring open-cut mining right up to the edge of Wollar Village. The impacts would reach far beyond the mine boundary, affecting our region’s environment, water resources, and growing tourism and renewable energy industries.

My key concerns are:
• Regional sustainability: Our region is diversifying beyond coal, with agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy now providing sustainable jobs and income. This project undermines that progress.
• Air, noise, and water impacts: Dust, blasting, and groundwater drawdown from existing mining already affect surrounding farms and rural businesses. Extending the pit will make these problems worse.
• Loss of natural and cultural heritage: The extension threatens endangered wildlife habitats and significant Wiradjuri cultural sites that are vital to the identity and tourism appeal of our area.
• Climate impacts: The release of over 25 million tonnes of additional greenhouse gases is completely inconsistent with NSW’s clean energy goals and the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone based around Wollar.

Agri-tourism depends on a healthy landscape, clean water, and a thriving rural community — all of which are put at risk by this expansion. The future of the Mid-Western region lies in sustainable industries, not more coal mining.

For these reasons, I urge the Department of Planning to reject the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension and require any further expansion to be assessed as a new project.

Agri-Tourism Operator
Mid-Western Region, NSW

I object to the extension to the MOD3-Pit 8. This area cultural significance, Wildlife significance , and personal significance. Blind Freddy can see how you have already butchered the land and displaced an abundance of wildlife. Where do expect these native animals to live? Delicate flora and fauna local to the area need to be protected. I have had family connections to this area for over 40years and am at a loss to describe my horror and overwhelming disappointment that you continue not only to mine this area but are intent on furthering this disaster. Coal is outdated, dirty and ruinous to land and health. How about we start dealing with the future with renewable energy sources, God knows we have an abundance of sun. I have friends in Wollar and family in Cooyal. This entire development is affecting them greatly. I appeal to you to put a stop to this extension. I appeal to you to stop mining coal. I appeal to you to genuinely think of everybody and everything’s future.

The proposed extension to Pit 8 is an extension of a mine which is an environmental threat to the local community and to the wider world. We are doing our best in many areas to reduce our CO2 emissions. I do hope that this extension is not allowed nor further extensions after that. The mine has permission to continue until 2033. If that happens to not be pulling the profit hoped for then that is the responsibility of the people who made the original assessment. The local community has a right not to be put at risk of further effects of Climate Change such as the Hurricane currently affecting Jamaica which is more intense than any measured before. I do hope the NSW Government can do it’s part in protecting the local Koalas and Bats and Regent Honey Eater near Wollar as well as the people, habitat in reserves such as Mung Horn Gap and the local farm land and our wider Global Community affected by ongoing Fossil Fuel mining and use.
Please do not allow any extension to Wilpinjong mine. Instead it may be time to encourage the mine to start their clean up before closing the mine.
My daughter was born in The Goulburn River National Park in 1986 North of Wollar. I return there on a regular basis. It is devastating to see how the 3 coal mines in that area have changed the Wollar Valley. Enough please.

Keep it going out there!