Mod 5 - Southern Extension

see attached PDF.

see attached PDF.

see attached PDF.

see attached PDF.

See attached

See attached

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

Dear Sir/Madam,

Submission Opposing the Invincible Extension Project 07_0127 MOD 5

I object to the proposed modification of the Invincible coal mine. Open-cut coal mining should not recommence in this sensitive part of the Gardens of Stone region. It is inappropriate to reverse the 2013 and 2014 decisions by the Planning Assessment Commission that rejected open-cut mining in this 50 hectare area. I strongly oppose this proposal to expand the open-cut area and continue production for eight years. Any approval is likely to lead to incremental development of this mine, and the Department of Planning and Environment has said it is opposed to a series of incremental increases in open-cut coal mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest.

Coal from Manildra's open-cut Invincible mine will be more expensive in terms of overall costs to the economy and the environment than coal from existing operating mines that can meet the requirements of Manildra's Bomaderry plant for many decades. Approving Manildra's 50 hectare open-cut proposal will force worse environmental outcomes upon this outstanding natural area. The true cost of this damage to the community and environment cannot be compensated.

The Ben Bullen pagoda landscape is unique, irreplaceable and covers a small area of which the woodlands affected by the proposed Invincible open-cut mining operation is a key part. It is a key part of the only area where grassy tableland woodlands adjoins pagodas. This woodland is an integral part of the pagoda landscape and its loss will destroy this beautiful pagoda landscape.

The pagoda rock features cannot be considered in isolation from the surrounding woodlands that are proposed to be mined. The Planning Assessment Commission correctly observed in 2012 and confirmed 2014 that the pagoda landscape consists of the pagodas and woodlands below them.

Further, ecosystems cannot be replanted after open-cut mining. The proposed biodiversity offsets cannot replace the unique Ben Bullen pagoda landscape.

Please reject open-cut coal mining in the Ben Bullen State Forest now and refuse consent for Manildra's Invincible proposal.


Katrina Khoupongsy
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 - 19:05