MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

See attached submission.

I am in support of this project to support mine and family members jobs. It will support both employment of locals and keep contracting companies with employment. The mine continues to give back to the local communities and it could have an impact if mining was to cease.

I object to this proposal put forward by miscreants. Issues are as follows -

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

Nothing about this proposal is ethical. Only the corrupt would approve such a disgusting extension.

Do better. The lot of you!

The threat to the climate from greenhouse gas emisssions must cease. Energy derived from coal is a major emitter. There should not be any consideration given to the approval of new coal mines or extensions of currently operating mines. The governments concerned must give their utmost focus to providing renewable energy resources.

The Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension proposal would have appalling social and environmental impacts, and cannot be justified.

It would have unacceptable impacts on the Village of Wollar, increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting and water contamination, as well as permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in
the Wollar Creek catchment. It would disturb productive agricultural land, and destroy important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala, severing the connection between Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.

It would vandalise significant Wiradjuri cultural heritage and spiritual landscape.

There is no justification for the expansion of any coal production, the dirtiest carbon pollutant of all, and adding another 25 mT, in a world reeling from compounding climate disasters.

The proposal clearly represents more than a modification and is an attempt to get around planning laws. It must be categorically rejected.

Submission attcahed

Submission in support of the project. Letter attached.

Wilpinjong supports local businesses and jobs in the Mudgee Region. They also provide support and enhancements to the local community. We support their application for extension of the existing pit in as outlined in this submission.

Our objection to this project is attached. thanks, Stephanie

Coal Mine Mod 3– Pit 8 Extension
It is with great sadness that I read the proposal for the new Wilpinjong development
I have been a regular visitor to Wollar ever since the early 1970’s when I first came to the area. Then it was a thriving rural community of several hundred residents: shops, tennis courts and other sports and social structures, and a frequently used community hall. The Social Impact Management Plan identified this year, 2025 when mining and its workforce would decrease. But alas! No!
For over 20 years its population has been depleted as Coal companies wreaked havoc on the land and river systems, and people too were forced to sell or leave their homes. Pollution from mining caused significant health and well-being problems. This aspect of people being driven from their homes has never been addressed.
With the advent of this new proposal more uncertainty and stress is in the community, threatening further problems with mental health and well-being. The current Social Impact Assessment identified seven positive social outcomes if the proposal doesn’t go ahead and only two negatives.
This fact emphasis's why this project should not proceed on the basis of social impacts alone, without any further consideration.
Yours sincerely
Ms Diane O’Mara

Submission outlines impact on birdlife and wildlife, impact on biodiversity, project assessment process, cumulative effectives of extensive mining, tourism and livability, conflict with renewable energy initiatives, competition for skilled workers for clean energy projects, and increased emissions and climate impact.

I am writing to formally express opposition to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension. I live in Rylstone and run an environment education centre in the main street of town which advocates for the protection of the natural environment in Central West NSW and its surrounds. The reasons for my opposition are as follows:
1. Coal is a fossil fuel, and the burning of fossil fuels leads to climate change resulting adverse impacts of extreme weather events that we are already experiencing impacting lives and livelihoods.
2. The International Energy Agency has stated that to meet net-zero targets, no new coal mines or extensions can be developed.
3. There is no economic justification for this extension, the climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated.
4. The future is renewable energy and there is an opportunity to rebuild the local community of Wollar as part of this transition. Renewables should be the focus for this area, not coal mine extensions.
5. The proposed extension will result in the destruction of habitat for the already threatened species such as the Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala. We should be doing everything to protect these creatures and their homes.

There are many other reasons for this extension not to proceed though these five alone should be enough reason for it not to go ahead. It is out of step with the science and out of step in the necessary future forward thinking that is required for a sustainable future.

Shire Climate Action Network is making this submission to oppose the expansion of Peabody’s Wilpinjong Coal Mine Modification 3. See attached submission

The Wilpinjong mine employs around 500+ employees, and additionally around 200 contractors. The mine is a significant local employer in the Mudgee region, supporting over 700 jobs in total. It is important to the mid-west region of the Hunter Valley and NSW economy.

Pls dee attached submission

I fully support the application by the Wilpinjong Mine to to modify its activities and ensure it can continue its operations. I believe the mine plays a critical role in providing employment that support 600 local mining families in the Mudgee, Gulgong and Central Western NSW area. The mine also supports many local businesses generating even more indirect jobs in local communities. I understand that Wilpinjong is a key domestic supplier of thermal coal which keeps electricity flowing to NSW homes and industry - a fact that isn't well understood by many in our community, particularly people in urban areas of the state. If mines like Wilpinjong are forced to close to meet ambitious climate change goals, the economic and social impact on regional communities will be severe, and I do not believe renewable projects or other industries will fill the gap from either an employment or energy supply perspective. I understand Wilpinjong mine has environmental impacts, but I believe they work hard to minimise impacts on biodiversity and native species and that the mine has lower greenhouse gas emissions than other mining operations. Given the above I believe the NSW government should support a continuation of mining at Wilpinjong by supporting this modification application.

I am objecting to the proposal because
1. The proposed mine expansion should not be assessed as a modification because it differs substantially from the current approved mine. I believe that 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.
2. The world is in a climate crisis and this 'extended' mine will reportedly release over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions over its lifetime.
3. Wollar Village is expected to rejuvenate in the near future. This proposal includes plans to mine to the boundary of Wollar Village, disturbing an additional 155 ha of land and likely resulting in the loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for the local Wiradjuri Nation
4. It will destroy more important habitat for the nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala
5. It will permanently alter and degrade alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
6. Approving this proposal will slow the transition to a clean energy future. It contradicts the establishment of the Central West
Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar
7. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West

The negative impacts of this project on water, farming, biodiversity, indigenous heritage, local communities, and climate far outweigh benefits. Mudgee doesn't need more jobs. The world doesn't need coal. The only benefits go to the mining company. It should be rejected.

Please see attachment

I object to the project in its current form due to the potential impacts on Mogo Road property owners & visitors to the National park's camp grounds.

This along with the lack of consideration & consultation with Mogo Road property owners in relation to this application.