Mod 4 - Extend Open Cut

I strongly object to further open cut mining in this area because of
1. The permanent destruction of endemic species of f;ora and fauna.
2. The insidious air pollution ruining the health of the community.
3. The unnecessary extraction of low quality coal in this area.
4. The far more sustainable use of this region for low impact tourism.
Australia is fortunate to have some of the most spectacular and unspoilt scenery in the world that is the envy of other far more populous nations. I want this area to remain a welcome respite from flora, fauna and people to thrive in. Please don't mine it.

I object to Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The proposal will:

- destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.

- threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.

- provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.

- increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I am writing to register my objection to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. My interest is as a local resident (I live in Little Hartley, a short distance from the Gardens of Stone which I regard as a very precious local amenity), and as a smallholder with a great respect for the natural environment, for the welfare of the people who live in and around Cullen Bullen, and for our cultural heritage that is embodied in the natural landscape.

In the first place, I believe these modifications are unnecessary: the coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is seriously exaggerated; nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.

Secondly, the site of the proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen, and the dust from this project will lead to increased illness and deaths in the community, from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The noise from truck movements and blasting will also have an adverse impact on local residents.

There are a number of significant questions that are not addressed. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the issue of ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. It does not deal with the question of where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released, and this is a matter for concern.

Furthermore, the proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. That buffer would provide protection for wildlife including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there could be no mine.

If the proposal goes ahead it will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area for nature conservation, recreation and tourism. Its outstanding values including a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.

I would like to point out that the recommendation of the Planning Assessment Commission for independent vegetation study appears to have been ignored: this should not have happened.

The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility since it failed to find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had also missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.

Despite Coalpac's claim, whole ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland and especially after open-cut mining. No mature woodland has ever been established in a mine rehabilitation area. In addition, the biodiversity offsets are woefully inadequate, and simply cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve.

In making this submission, I declare that I have not made any reportable donations to political parties in the last year.

Yours sincerely,

Submission to Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW, 2001

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension
(DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I object to Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The company, now under administration, has lodged an application to mine 315 hectares of the Ben Bullen State Forest, near the township of Cullen Bullen. The proposal is to restart and expand a coalmine into the beautiful pagoda country of the Gardens of Stone near Lithgow.
The project is the latest version of an application the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and Planning Assessment Commission have rejected because unacceptable environmental impacts.
It is very disappointing that Coalpac has been permitted to submit new plans to destroy a significant area in the Gardens of Stone region, an area that the Office of Environment and Heritage has recommended should be protected in a conservation reserve.
This new plan will exterminate all plants and wildlife within the open-cut area in habitat that is home to lyrebirds, spotted-tail quolls, squirrel gliders, the critically endangered leek orchid and the grey-headed flying fox.
In terms of public health there is a vast body of research demonstrating the health risks to communities posed by dust and coal dust in particular. The people of Cullen Bullen deserve adequate protection from exposure to dangerous dust levels from open cut mining.
A ludicrously short public exhibition period has been given for this rerun application which is full of the same short comings as the one already rejected. I also question how many submissions need to be made for the proposal to be submitted to proper review.
The planning system in NSW should provide certainty to the community. This latest twist in Coalpac tale serves only to undermine public confidence in State planning and governance already shattered by dirty deals and failed environmental and community protection processes.
There is a history in this area, as elsewhere, of mining companies lodging applications for small projects like this one that they subsequently expand through a series of modifications. Mining the Ben Bullen State Forest should not be allowed to progress in stages, when the overall scheme was found to be inappropriate only last year.
Coalpac argues that the mine is needed to pay for environmental rehabilitation of new and historical damage. This reveals that Coalpac has not rehabilitated land as required by previous mine approvals. This confirms the inadequacy of the company's business planning, its incapacity to fulfill it's environmental undertakings and past failures in the State's environmental planning controls to enforce conditions of approvals.
Why would you now consider allowing them to extend their practices onto public land, close to the iconic Gardens of Stone and next to nearby communities?
The Ben Bullen State Forest must be reserved.

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The proposal will:
destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.

threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.

provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.

increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

it is SO WRONG to destroy the beauty of this World Heritage listed place by allowing Coalpac open cut mining in there ,the land will be scared n never recover from it , save the Australian wilderness for our children ,,,

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The proposal will:

destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.
threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.
provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.
increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I object to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines because it will adversely impact on the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.

The coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide for at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is a wild exaggeration. Nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.

The proposal will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the pagoda landform complex. Its outstanding values include a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees. Given the importance of the natural environment, the Planning Assessment Commission recommendation for independent vegetation study should not have been ignored by Coalpac in its current environmental assessment.

The proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. The buffer provides protection for wildlife, including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there would be no mine.

The proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen and dust from this project will lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the community from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Noise, truck movements and blasting will also adversely impact on residents. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. Where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released in not explained.

The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility because it did not find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.

Despite Coalpac's rehabilitation claims, ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland or after open-cut mining native forests. No mature woodland has ever been established through mine rehabilitation. The biodiversity offsets are inadequate, and cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve over Ben Bullen State Forest.

Please refuse consent to both proposed modifications and stop open-cut mining in the Gardens of Stone region.

I declare that I have not made any donations to political parties in the last year.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Peter Gould

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I object to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines because it will adversely impact on the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.

The coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide for at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is a wild exaggeration. Nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.

The proposal will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the pagoda landform complex. Its outstanding values include a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees. Given the importance of the natural environment, the Planning Assessment Commission recommendation for independent vegetation study should not have been ignored by Coalpac in its current environmental assessment.

The proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. The buffer provides protection for wildlife, including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there would be no mine.

The proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen and dust from this project will lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the community from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Noise, truck movements and blasting will also adversely impact on residents. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. Where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released in not explained.

The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility because it did not find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.

Despite Coalpac's rehabilitation claims, ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland or after open-cut mining native forests. No mature woodland has ever been established through mine rehabilitation. The biodiversity offsets are inadequate, and cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve over Ben Bullen State Forest.

I object to Coalpac's proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines.

The current modified proposal threatens the integrity of Ben Bullen State Forest, it's biodiversity, scenic landscape and unique geology.

Mining operations, producing dust, creating ceaseless noise, turning night into day 24/7 with high intensity lighting, and contaminating surface and ground waters, will impact insidiously, incrementally and detrimentally on the health of Cullen Bullen residents and nearby rural communities.

Ben Bullen State Forest is publically owned land set aside for the harvesting of a renewable resource (timber), not for unsustainable industries such as today's coal mining. The State Forest is a regional recreational asset, and because of its high conservation values has been proposed for reservation and protection as a State Conservation Area. Ben Bullen State Forest and the nearby Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area play an important role in ameliorating the deleterious effects of man's modern lifestyle on the environment, on which we all depend.

For Coalpac to require approval of its modified proposal to enable it to finance the rehabilitation of land it has already mined, surely indicates that Coalpac has been living beyond its means and is operating unviably.

Is it the right of a Government to give away publically owned land with no thought for future generations, to irrevocably allow the destruction of the biodiversity, scenic landscape and unique geology of that land, and to seriously impair the health and well being of nearby residents and farming communities, their crops and livestock, all for short term and questionable revenue gain?

Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001
Dear Sir/Madam,
Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)
I object to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines because they will adversely impact on the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.
The coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is a wild exaggeration. Nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.
The proposal will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the pagoda landform complex. Its outstanding values including a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees. The Planning Assessment Commission recommendation for independent vegetation study should not have been ignored.
The proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. The buffer provides protection for wildlife including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there would be no mine.
The proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen and dust from this project will lead to increased morbidity and
mortality in the community from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Noise, truck movements and blasting will also adversely impact on residents. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. Where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released in not explained.
The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility because it did not find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.
Despite Coalpac's claim ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland and especially after open-cut mining. No mature woodland has ever been established in mine rehabilitation. The biodiversity offsets are inadequate, and cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve.
I declare that I have not made any donations to political parties in the last year.
Yours sincerely,

I urge the NSW State Government to reject any plans for open-cut mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest, home not only to the exceptional sandstone formations, the pagodas, but also to hundreds of species of native plants and animals, some of which, such as squirrel gliders, spotted quolls and powerful owls, are threatened with extinction.

I'm aware that an open-cut coal mine proposal within Ben Bullen State Forest was rejected by a Planning Assessment Commission Review and the Director-General's Report, Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Now, the open-cut mining proposal has re-emerged in a form which would see this public forest mined through a sequence of supposedly independent stages, the first of which is scheduled to last seven years. Were this new proposal to be approved, it would make a mockery of the planning process.

I urge the Government to stop open-cut coal mining in this forest once and for all and to ensure that it is protected permanently within a state conservation area.

Thank you,
Ruth Schmid

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I object to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines because it will adversely impact on the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area.

The coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide for at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is a wild exaggeration. Nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.

The proposal will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the pagoda landform complex. Its outstanding values include a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees. Given the importance of the natural environment, the Planning Assessment Commission recommendation for independent vegetation study should not have been ignored by Coalpac in its current environmental assessment.
The proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. The buffer provides protection for wildlife, including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there would be no mine.
The proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen and dust from this project will lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the community from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Noise, truck movements and blasting will also adversely impact on residents. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. Where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released in not explained.
The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility because it did not find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.
Despite Coalpac's claim ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland or after open-cut mining native forests. No mature woodland has ever been established in mine rehabilitation. The biodiversity offsets are inadequate, and cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve over Ben Bullen State Forest.
The Environmental Assessment does not deal with cumulative impacts either from Pine Dale and Neubecks Creek open-cut proposals or from future stages by Coalpac after this mine proposal is completed in four years. These proposals will further degrade an intact environment.
The pagodas, cliff and cave overhangs are susceptible to subsidence hazards yet Coalpac did not protect these features from high wall mining as recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.
Please refuse consent to both proposed modifications and stop open-cut mining in the Gardens of Stone region.
Yours sincerely,

Dear Sir/Madam,

Part 3A Modification 4 - Invincible Mine Extension (07_0127 MOD 4) and
Part 3A Modification 2 - Cullen Valley Mine Extension (DA 200-5-2003 MOD 2)

I object to these proposed modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines because it will adversely impact on the internationally significant pagoda landform complex located on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in Ben Bullen State Forest. This public forest should be fully protected from open-cut mining in a state conservation area for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.

The coal in this proposal is of poor quality and there are better quality substitute resources that can provide for at least 25 years electricity generation by the two power plants in the Lithgow Region. The claim of increased costs to electricity consumers if the Coalpac proposal does not proceed is a wild exaggeration. Nearby underground mines have provided for local electricity power plants for over 20 years.

The proposal will destroy by open-cut mining the unique biodiversity, scenery and geological values associated with the pagoda landform complex. Its outstanding values include a Grassy Box Woodland - a nationally endangered ecological community, many nationally endangered Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees. Given the importance of the natural environment, the Planning Assessment Commission recommendation for independent vegetation study should not have been ignored by Coalpac in its current environmental assessment.

The proposal fails to provide the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission from the base of the pagoda rock formations and the open-cut area. The buffer provides protection for wildlife, including many Lyre Birds and the threatened broad headed snake. If such a buffer were provided, there would be no mine.

The proposal is less than two kilometres from Cullen Bullen and dust from this project will lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the community from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Noise, truck movements and blasting will also adversely impact on residents. The proposal intends to vastly increase water extraction from underground workings from 26Ml/year to 750Ml/year, but fails to address the ongoing fires underground and in waste heaps. Where 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings is to be released in not explained.

The Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment lacks credibility because it did not find a cave art site in the proposed disturbance area for the Cullen Valley Mine. Previous studies had missed other important Aboriginal cave art sites in the area.

Despite Coalpac's rehabilitation claims, ecosystems cannot be replanted on farmland or after open-cut mining native forests. No mature woodland has ever been established through mine rehabilitation. The biodiversity offsets are inadequate, and cannot replace a Gardens of Stone Stage 2 reserve over Ben Bullen State Forest.

Please refuse consent to both proposed modifications and stop open-cut mining in the Gardens of Stone region.
I declare that I have not made any donations to political parties in the last year.

Yours sincerely,
James Chatman

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The miners should not be allowed to keep making new proposals once a proposal for a similar project has been refused. This just adds to the costs and stress of everyone involved.
The new proposal will: ◦destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.
◦threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.
◦provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.
◦increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

Submission re revived Coalpac Proposal at Cullen Bullen
28/4/14


Very much against proposed open cut mine.
The longer view is that coal fired power is actually declining as efficiencies and alternative energy cut in. Wallerawang power station is closing, which is just natural process, and common sense. Can't see why workers should get very special end game deal either, compared contrariwise with many in other industries who are left with nothing when they fail.
Very cranky about goldplating of transmission system by Transgrid as reported on ABC Yesterday morning.
Right now is good time to suggest to coal mining industry it should just slow down a bit and be a bit philosophical about it.
But worst offenders all the so called experts and policy makers, not being very clever at all. Perhaps not giving unbiased and sage advice to government.
Government more or less wrecking everything it touches in name of productivity or efficiency, so while we are sort of rich, pensioners, homeless, war veterans, unemployed graduates and others, all needlessly neglected (and vilified).
Say what you like but please just sit on your hands for ten years, when it can be fairly confidently be predicted, that not mining the coal will by far be the more qualitatively sensible thing to have done.

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. This is such a retrograde activity.
The proposal will:

* provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available and newer alternatives will soon supersede this old technology.

* increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

Don't ruin this part of the world for such an appallingly short term gain.

I am choosing to submit my thoughts on the proposed mining activity in the Gardens of Stone - I object to this development.

I fear this will be vile degradation of the pristine environment and landscape of the region.

I fear that we do no need more low value, high volume holes in the ground (it's not 1840) - we have enough exposure to this economic segment and it's benefits/profits and environmental costs.

We should (our elected Govt. representatives) be investing in smarter ways to diversify our economy and capital skills basis away from digging holes in the ground and better investing our mineral profits/taxes into other areas of economic innovation.

Like any business - the view should be on generating new, more efficient, sustainable profits for the economic system.

Get together a think tank, commission some serious economic research/modelling, open a debate, partner with industry and other countries, encourage educate and edify the present for a profitable and sustainable future. Yes there is a whole linked economic and political ecosystem to this proposal - but bring the broader and long term issues into the light for healthy review, debate and discussion - not more darkened back room discussions and industry lobbying designed for short term gain leaving a long term environmental scar.

It's an information age - embrace that - own it and lead the region - don't continue to play the dumb neighbor called on to help dig the foundations of the neighbors house - be the architect - the engineer - the visionary for the whole neighborhood/region.

I oppose the application to extend the boundaries of the open cut mine at Invincible.
I understand that the coal is of a poor quality and the negative environmental impacts of the expansion far outweigh any perceived advantage of the project.
As an area with unique biodiversity including endangered and threatened plant species this area should be protected from development. Its natural rock formations and pagodas are internationally recognised as being unique and yet are not being protected from demolition and exploitation.
The community health of Cullen Bullen may be threatened by being exposed to coal dust- reports with evidence of ill effects are becoming more and more prevelant.
I support Australia to join with clean energy leaders and move away from dirty, pollutive fossil fuel which damage our environment during extraction, processing and burning. With this conviction I will oppose any future new mines generally, but particularly in this application's location.

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines.

The proposal will:

*destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.

*threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.

*provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.

*increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.