Mod 4 - Extend Open Cut

I object to the Coalpac's modifications to the Invincible and Cullen Valley coal mines. The proposal will:
1. destroy unique biodiversity, including a Grassy Box Woodland and nationally endangered plants such as Clandulla geebung shrubs and 2,300 threatened Capertee Stringybark trees.
2. threaten internationally recognised pagodas by ignoring the 300 metre minimum buffer recommended by the Planning Assessment Commission.
3. provide poor quality coal at a massive impact when other sources are already available.
4. likely to increase morbidity and mortality in Cullen Bullen from respiratory and cardiovascular disease linked to dust.

Please see submission as below in File attachment 1

Please find my objection submission attached below.

Please see attached

Please find attached a submission on behalf of Lithgow Environment Group Inc.

Chris Jonkers
Vice President
Lithgow Environment Group Inc

Submission by the Colo Committee environment group is attached as a pdf.
Dr Haydn Washington

My submission opposing this potential mine expansion is attached.

As per uploaded pdf document.

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 concerned that this proposal will destroy the uniqueness of this part of NSW and this area can never be replaced or repaired by an form of offsets> Examine the photographs and walk in this area and you will very quickly understand this. This area, in its beauty and remoteness is on my list of places to visit and I would like it to remain as it is for myself, my young son and all future generations to enjoy. 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 proposed open-cut mining will destroy 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. There are still important facts left unanswered. e.g. where is the 2Ml/day of water pumped from old workings to be released? Also, 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, a more comprehensive study needs to be completed before any further assessment of this proposal takes place.
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,
Ifeanna Tooth
108 Jersey Rd Woollahra NSW 2025

Please find submission attached.

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Please find attached a submission as an objection to 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).

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.

Submission on Coalpac's Invincible and Cullen Valley Mines Modifications

Please see submission attached.

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)
As a regular visitor to the Blue Mountains with friends & family living in the region, I am deeply saddened that the Gardens of Stone are once again under threat. Despite being rejected last year, Coalpac is now wanting to open cut and high-wall mine 315 hectares of the precious Ben Bullen State Forest in the Gardens of Stone. Although located in a remote area, hidden away from the main tourist trail, this region is no less magnificent & as equally deserving of protection as other places within the mountains currently holding World Heritage status.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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, Graham Vanny

Refer to attached submission in support of the Coalpac Modification Project.