MOD 3 - Pit 8 Extension

I am opposed to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mod 3 – Pit 8 Extension proposal on the basis of the following:
Environmental Impacts
1. Inevitable impacts on water, permanently altering and degrading alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar Creek catchment.
2. Releasing over 25 MT of additional Greenhouse Gas emissions.
3. Increasing pollution through poorly assessed noise, dust, blasting, onsite coal ignition (spontaneous combustion), lighting and water contamination.
4. Slowing the transition to clean energy future – competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar.
Biodiversity Impacts
1. Potential destruction of important habitat for endangered microbats, Regent Honeyeater and Koala communities.
2. The assessment fails to adequately consider indirect impacts from the proposal on the groundwater dependant Box Gum Woodland CEEC.
Social Impacts
1. Increasing social impacts, loss of amenity and ongoing disturbance of rural way of life as the mine expands to the boundary of the Wollar village.
Cultural Impacts
1. Loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and spiritual landscape for Wiradjuri Nation. Wilpinjong Mine area is significant for Aboriginal cultural heritage with over 1,000 sites recorded over many years. 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.
Not Justified
1. This project is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West.
2. There is no economic justification, the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.
Not Applicable
1. I understand that the proposal is the first stage of a bigger mine expansion and should be assessed as a new project. The proposed extension should not be assessed as a modification because it is not substantially the same as the current mine approval.

I hope you will give these concerns serious consideration.

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

As a long-term local community member, I strongly object to this proposed Modification. Please see the attached document for my detailed response.

I hold heartedly am AGAINST this what can only be described as ecological terrorism. I am mortified as i imagine the 24/7 dumping, blasting, bright light, dust clouds of an open-cut mine pit next door to the fading village - people’s livelihood.

These expansion plans for their Wilpinjong coal mine 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.

We have already accelerated global warming. Our forests, ecosystems are dying yet we still connote to allow these mega corporations to destroy our lands,air and waters while they reap profits and pay no taxes nor contribute to the local/state/national economy .

I object on the following bases:
1. The extension should not be assessed as a modification because it falls outside the current lease, forms part of a larger expansion project, infringes on Wollar Creek catchment and is not substantially the same as the current approval.
2. Its negative and additional biodiversity impacts through disturbing an additional 155 ha, and in particular its negative impacts on endangered microbat large-eared pied bat and eastern cave bat communities, habitat for the notoriously critically endangered regent honey eater, on Box Gum woodland , and ruining or damaging connectivity between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River NP.
3. Depleting groundwater flows to Wollar Creek of over 21 million liters per year with groundwater drawdown of over 20 million liters.
4. Causing additional noise, dust, lighting and water pollution, for a project that is not needed to create local and regional jobs in light of the Central West Renewable Energy Zone.

I am writing to express my objection to Peabody’s proposed Wilpinjong coal mine expansion.
However, before I outline the reasons for my objection, I wish to state that I believe that, because the proposal is the first stage of a bigger mine expansion, it should be assessed as a new project rather than as a modification to an existing project.
The reasons why I object to Peabody’s proposal include:
• Its impact on the climate. It will release over 25 MT of additional greenhouse gas emissions. And the increased climate change impacts will cost more than public income generated through royalties and taxes.
• It will involve mining right up to the boundary of Wollar Village which is undergoing a renaissance which will be impeded if the mine expansion goes ahead.
• It will disturb an additional 155 hectares leading to: the loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage and damage to the spiritual landscape of the Wiradjuri Nation; and the destruction of additional 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 slow the transition to the clean energy future. It will compete with, and in fact undermine, the Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar.
• It is not needed to provide regional jobs – there is a huge workforce shortage for renewable energy projects in the Central West.

I do not support the project on the grounds that it threatens to destroy cultural heritage and critical habitat for endangered species (including large-eared pied bat, Eastern cave bat, regent honey eater and koala) Box gum woodland (an endangered ecological community). It will contribute to global warming - releasing carbon emissions despite being in a Renewable Energy Zone. The impacts on the Wollar creek catchment of the water table draw down of 20m is inadequately assessed and the impacts on the health of local community have not been addressed.

Dear Department of Planning,
I object to the proposed expansion of Wilpinjong Coal Mine on multiple grounds.
1. I believe the proposed changes differ substantially from the approved mine and therefor it should be assessed as new project.
2. In the face of the current climate emergency it is unacceptable and absolutely irresponsible to approve the release of over 25MT of additional greenhouse gas emissions.
3. The increased climate change impacts will far outweigh any public income generated through royalties and taxes. Economic benefits will funnel to only a few while the costs will be borne by many.
4. there will be permanent alteration and degradation of alluvial groundwater sources and surface flows in the Wollar catchment. Wilpinjong Mine already has a poor history of water management and modelling, intercepting more water than predicted and failing to undertake monitoring in the expansions zone to establish a baseline or measure impacts from current operations in Pit 8.
5. Significant impacts on two critically endangered ecological communities (CEEC) and eleven endangered fauna species including Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Koala, Regent Honeyeater and Box Gum Woodland.

Importantly though, there is little justification for expanding this mine when the essential transition away from coal mining is well underway. The Central West Renewable Energy Zone that starts at Wollar is providing employment opportunities in the region. A healthy future for our children and grandchildren with clean water, healthy soils and a stable climate are by far more valuable.

Yours sincerely,
Tracie Crockford

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

This proposed 'expansion' is so substantial that it is effectively a new mine and should be assessed as a new project. It is a typical ploy of the mining industry, they're given an inch and they take 100 miles.

Apart from the usual scumbag mining company attempt at skullduggery, the proposed 'expansion' will release more than 25 megatonnes of greenhouse gases and take the mine right up to the boundary of Wollar Village. Of course, as per the scumbag mining company playbook, Peabrain will put in for another 'expansion' in the future whuich will wipe Wollar off the face of the earth.

In addition, the 'expansion' will destroy another 155 hectares of land that has cultural and spiritual significance for the Wiradjuri people as well as important habitat for endangered koalas and the threatened nationally threatened Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat and Regent Honeyeater.

This 'expansion' will further degrade and alter alluvial groundwater sources and surface water flows in the Wollar Creek catchment and lead to increased noise , light, water and dust pollution. There is also the risk of onsite coal ignition leading to bushfire.

This project is NOT NEEDED to provide regional jobs - there is a huge workforce shortage in the NSW Central West, currently operating mines cannot fill existing vacancies and there is a slew of renewable energy projects in the NSW Central West that are suffering delays due to difficulties in recruitment. We DO NOT NEED this project to provide jobs.

By competing with the Central West Renewable Energy Zone for emplyees, approving this project will slow the region, NSW and Australia's transition to a clean energy future.

This project should not be approved.

Firstly, this proposed extension should not be assessed as a modification because it is not substantially the same as the current mine approval. 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 as it:
● Falls outside the current mining lease
● Is part of a larger expansion project
● Mines to Wollar Village boundary
● Encroaches on Wollar Creek catchment
● Destroys an endangered microbat hotspot
● Causes additional biodiversity impacts under Federal environmental law
● Destroys a new area of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance

Secondly, there is ample evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region with spiritual connection to country. Wilpinjong Mine area is significant for Aboriginal cultural heritage with over 1,000 sites recorded over many years. Mod 3 will cause the destruction of an additional 15 sites.

The proposed extension of mine disturbance will significantly impact two critically endangered ecological communities (CEEC) and eleven endangered fauna species including the Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Regent Honeyeater and Koala.

- Endangered microbats: The new open cut area contains the highest density of the endangered Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat in the region. Two rocky hills will be removed, which are at the centre of the hotspot. These are critical breeding habitats including known maternity sites, resulting in a Significant and Irreversible Impact (SAII).

- Box Gum Woodland CEEC: The assessment fails to adequately consider indirect impacts from the proposal on the Box Gum Woodland CEEC and understates the extent of impact. This community is identified as groundwater dependent. The potential impacts of the proposed groundwater drawdown is not considered or assessed.

- Regent Honeyeater: The proposed expansion will directly remove mapped areas of important habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. There are current records of breeding activity in the district that are not recognised in the assessment report.

- Koala: Impacts on landscape connectivity. Expansion of open-cut mining forms an extensive and hostile barrier between the locally significant conservation areas of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park. Will remove the closest points of intact remnant vegetation on the valley floor currently forming stepping stones of habitat between these two reserves for a wide variety of woodland birds including the Critically Endangered Regent Honeyeater and mobile fauna like the Endangered Koala

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 depopulation directly attributed to mining has not been addressed. The Social Impact Management Plan for the current approval identifies that mining and workforce would start ramping down this year 2025. Remaining community members are preparing to rebuild and reinvigorate the community. This proposed new expansion adds to future uncertainty
and stress levels further threatening mental health and wellbeing. The Social Impact Assessment identified seven positive social outcomes if the proposal doesn’t go ahead and only two negatives.

The proposed expansion 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.

Terrestrial Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) have not been adequately assessed including those within the boundary of Wollar Village that provide significant ecological and aesthetic values.

Wilpinjong Mine has a poor history of water management and modelling by intercepting more water than predicted. Increased salinity loads of up to 3.5 tonnes salt per day in mine discharge are a potential downstream water quality impact.

The proposal has been assessed to contribute $21 million of net public benefit. This would not cover the costs of current climate change generated extreme weather events. The additional greenhouse gas emissions will cause a greater public cost. There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is competing for skilled labour urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable energy industries. There is a major labour shortage in the Central West with local workers
needed for the CWO REZ construction. The NSW Government has prioritised the Central West Future Jobs and Investment
Authority to manage the transition away from coal mining. The Mudgee region has many opportunities to diversify the economy.

This is a confusing and cynical exercise on the part of Peabody Energy attempting to offset the impacts of the proposed mine expansion. Emphasis throughout the assessment reports focusing on the exclusion of two areas from the existing mine approval creates a level of confusion and distraction. There is no requirement to seek a modification to leave coal in the ground. Cumbo Creek was never going to be diverted as too costly and Rocky Hill should never have been approved for destruction. The belated protection of the significant Rocky Hill cultural heritage site under the current approval for Pit 8 should not detract from the
destruction of an additional 15 sites within the proposed mine expansion.

To summarise, I strongly oppose this mine for the following reasons:

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

see attached summary of my objections

I object to this ‘modification’ proposal. It is in fact not substantially the same as the current mine approval. It is not even within the current mining lease . It is apparent that it is the first stage of a larger expansion project that would surround the Wollar Village. It is not a modification. It should be assessed as a new project, withdrawn by Peabody Coal or rejected outright at this stage because the transition of the power grid to renewable energy is rapidly overtaking the age of coal mining and there is almost no reason whatsoever to approve it. Peabody Coal is at the interface of the new age at Wollar. The NSW Government has prioritised the Central West Future Jobs and Investment Authority to manage the transition away from coal mining. Peabody Coal are mainly positioning themselves with this proposal to seize all opportunities.

I particularly object to this proposed because there is no justification for it. There is a regional workforce shortage.
It also has a totally unacceptable impact on biodiversity with the Significant and Irreversible Impact on federally endangered species. It is imperative that known habitat of breeding populations of species threatened with extinction are protected. The Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat have maternity sites that would be destroyed and Regent Honey Eatera have breeding populations in the mine locality. The existing 'stepping stones' landscape connectivity between Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park is also vital to conserve for koalas.
I contend that this project is not necessary, on the contrary, and should not be even considered. It is certainly not a modification, at best, with regard to assessment, it could only be considered to be a new project. However the Social Impact Assessment identified seven positive social outcomes if the proposal doesn’t go ahead and only two negatives.
I submit that the 'modification' application be rejected.

See attachment

I am the owner of a property near the coal mine since 1984, and I have never had any issues with the Wilpinjong coal mine.

see attached

This is great for the community

I work there