Mod 9 - Additional Coal Extraction

Minning is jobs and we need jobs to support the next generation not only miners,hairdressers,coffe shop waiter,

Coal will be a major source of energy for the foreseeable future and we have coal

Over recent years Mudgee's economy has become more dependent on the mining industry with many existing and new businesses relying on the mines continued growth and expansion to justify and maintain the investment put into both infrastructure and employment based on the rapid and growth and expansion of the mines.
Recent restructuring at a local Coal Mine saw the layoff of over a hundred subcontractors and employees resulting in a set back to the local economy mainly in the housing and retail sectors.
Moolarben's proposed development will no doubt see the towns growth re-emerge and put confidence back into the local economy ensuring financial viability for business owners and job security.
Throughout their time in Mudgee, Moolarben have proven to be strong supporters of local business, charities and sporting groups. The mines ongoing viability will ensure the ongoing viability of Mudgee's renowned growth and development.
Our firm strongly supports the Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 1 Optimisation Project and wish them well in the ongoing growth and development.

To Whom it may concern,

I am submitting my support to the Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 1 Optimisation Project. The reason for my support is as follows-
Moolarben have made a concerted effort to assist in numerous community projects in all parts of the mid west regional council including schooling in my immediate area. With the closure of the Cement Works at Kandos recently and the imminent closure of Charbon Colliery in the next year the local area that I reside in is becoming increasingly dependant on mining in the Ulan region to support our community. Moolarben not only supports the Mudgee community but all the smaller towns and villages in the Mid West Regional Councils boarders which is greatly appreciated.Therefore I offer my unquestioned support of their optimisation proposal.

As a Manager for a waste management company within the Mudgee region, I do on behalf of the company fully support the proposed Optimisation Project. Our company supplies a waste management service to many differing business and private concerns including all mining projects. We currently employ 8 members of the local community who rely on employment stability offered by the waste industry. Moolarben Coal Operations (MCO) offer employment directly and indirectly to a substantial business base within the Region. Whether directly or indirectly through their employees, MCO is a wonderful contributer to community welfare goups, sporting organisations and fund raising activities. Furthermore, it is evident that MCO has a very sound environmental protection strategy in place and has significant programs that maintain the unique biodiversity of the area. Without this support, the local community could suffer a great loss of financial stability and lifestyle.

As an employee of the mine and a local resident of the area i believe that this project holds merit. i also that this project will benefit the larger area of the mid western region. projects like these should be supported as local jobs and businesses are greatly appreciative of the investment these projects bring.

I support the project

I live within 5 km's of Moolarben Mine and have found that they manage the area well and are proactive in ensuring all environmental activities (e.g. noise dust and water) are managed well. I feel they are a great neighbour.

I live within 5 km's of Moolarben Mine and have found that they manage the area well and are proactive in ensuring all environmental activities (e.g. noise dust and water) are managed well. I feel they are a great neighbour.

I live within 5 km's of Moolarben Mine and have found that they manage the area well and are proactive in ensuring all environmental activities (e.g. noise dust and water) are managed well. I feel they are a great neighbour.

I object to Moolarben Coal Modification 9 for the following reasons -
- The scale of disturbance combined with a poorly designed Mine Water Management Plan leads to the risk of potentially significant downstream impacts on river water quality at The Drip and into Goulburn River National Park.
- The proposed MCO Stage 1: Modification 9 represents an abuse of the planning process whereby a new mine development having gained planning approval can substantially increase their mining footprint (and resulting environmental and community impacts) by increment.
- A 5 year increase in mine life from 2028 to 2033 is unacceptable. Coal mining activities should be reducing rather than increasing. There is overwhelming scientific consensus that increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide resulting from the use of coal contributes to climate change. In spite of this, Moolarben Coal Modification 9 will add in excess of 576 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere over the life of the mine (2013-2034).
- The proposed clearing of 17.2ha of the White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Woodland, listed as endangered ecological community under the TSC Act (containing 16.5ha of the White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland which is listed as a critically endangered ecological community under the EPBC Act), is unacceptable. Biodiversity offsets are unlikely to provide real gains in habitat condition.
- The Proposed Water Management Plan (WMP) Is under designed and allows for mine water discharge into the Goulburn River during moderate to high rainfall events. Overwhelming scientific consensus indicates that climatic extremes are an aspect of climate change. Yet this WMP relies on a high risk strategy that uses a series of sediment and mine water storage dams dependent on a complicated pumping regime with little room for human error or climatic extremes.

I am an employee at Moolarben Coal and have been for the past three years. During that time the mine has donated money to the local community, to various different volunteer and sporting groups. such as the Mudgee Netball association and some of the local bush fire brigades.

The coal mine has employed hundreds of people in the local area and brought many contractors to the area which in turn has brought there business into the local area. which has supported the local community throughout these hard times.

I believe that the Moolarben Coal operation has minimal effect on people living in the area. I believe this as I am an Operator in this mine. Management go to the trouble of letting the employees know how they can help to reduce the impacts on the people in the surrounding community. It is also evident by the noise testing and noise reduction measures that have been put in place on sight.

Prior to working for Moolarben Coal I was employed as a Contractor and travelled to numerous mines. Whilst at Moolarben I have been involved in the rehab process as well as many other parts of the operation and believe that the rehabilitation of the areas that we have mined to this date is extremely impressive in the short time that it has been in place.

I hope to continue working at the mine for many years to come and would like to see the mine expand to run for as long as possible as it brings prosperity, employment and economic security to the local community. As the mine expands it will create more jobs for the growing community in the local area. I support the application for expansion to the Moolarben Coal Mine.

Dear Sara Wilson,
I wish to inform you of our support for this project,my reasons are;employment of local people,support of local business,sporting groups and local Council.Mudgee is in the enviable position of having a very booming economy, eg;construction,engineering and various support industries for projects such as Moolarben Coal. Rejection of this project would be detrimental to Mudgee's continued growth.
Regards
Baz Lawry
Mudgee Concrete

Mudgee Cranes is a local family owned crane business employing 15 full time staff depending on the mining industry for the bulk of our turnover.
Mudgee Cranes has been the preferred crane supplier for Moolarben Coal Operations since its inception and we hope with the expansion with the proposed Optimisation Project we can continue our working relationship in the future.

Moolarben Coal are good employers of local people and continue to support the local community and local businesses . They do great work in the environmental rehab of mining areas.
The operation is a good place to work and i hope this continues

Great for local employment opportunities. Employment opportunities in Mudgee are currently scarce in most industries.

I support the Moolarben Coal expansion on the basis of
good mining practice already exhibited in particular with regard to genuine environmental concerns by residents in the immediate area (eg noise) being addressed and continued employment opportunities and flow on benefits for the region.

Moolarben Coal operations actively support the economic prosperity of Ulan, Mudgee and the greater MWRC, through direct employment of mine personnel and regional employment through suppliers and contractors, through the support of local businesses by both MCO and all their personnel, support for local services, sporting and community groups, support for charities and fund raising activities etc. In the local region. MCO financially contributes to local roads and infrastructure. Thank you MCO

I am in support of Moolarben Coal Operations - Stage 1 Optimisation Modification 9

I object to the proposed MCO Stage1: Modification 9, which represents a significant expansion of (rather than a minor adjustment to) the open cut footprint approved as part of Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 1 (2007). Since 2007 there have been eight modifications plus a Stage 2 development application (that would potentially double the size and impacts of the Moolarben Coal Mine).

Modification 9 is an attempt via stealth to significantly increase the size of the mine.

The Moolarben Mine complex straddles the headwaters of the glorious, (relatively) environmentally intact Goulburn River, which we (a group of seven Sydneysiders and one Kandos-ian) walked and were incredibly impressed by (I even enjoyed a chilly dip) on a weekend visit to The Drip only a couple of weeks ago. Places like this - so majestic that some claim it to be the equal of Kakadu - must be treated with extreme respect.

MCO has a less than impressive record with regard environmental care, and has been fined three time for non-compliance to EPL conditions for water pollution of the Goulburn River. Its Proposed Water Management Plan is under-designed and allows for mine water to discharge into
the Goulburn River during moderate to high rainfall events.

Furthermore, the telling ecological impacts of the proposal: the clearing of 178 hectares (most of it native forest and woodland, some of it 'endangered'), and its effect upon two threatened species (the Eastern Cave Bat and a Brown treecreeper) are, I believe, also unacceptable.

More broadly, the proposed extensive surface disturbance, open cut pits and overburden emplacement in close proximity to Moolarben Creek represent a significant threat to downstream water quality (from sediment and salinity discharge into the headwaters of the Goulburn River. The proposed ridgeline excavations would also scar the landscape afresh from multiple vantage points.

I urge you to reject MCO's Stage 1: Modification 9 proposal.

Enough is enough. We need to grow up, to start treasuring this country, to cease treating it merely as a $ treasury - to be gouged and disfigured with no account for long term ecological and social costs.

I would like to see the project go ahead as I feel it would be good for our region, we rely on the mining industry as a large part of employment in this area, and Moolarben Mine contributes to our community.