Mod 9 - Additional Coal Extraction

I would like to object to the following proposed `modification' to a major extension to
the current approved Moolarben Mine.
--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Proposal to extend existing mine footprint by 25%
will disturb an additional 178 ha and create a super pit covering 886 ha
--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Proposal to extend life of mine by 5 years to 2033
to extract additional 6 million tonnes per year will cause continued unsustainable
environmental disruption through increased greenhouse gas emissions
--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->The extension will remove vegetated sandstone
ridgeline habitat 100m, 60m and 30m high while increasing dust and noise impacts
--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Clearing will destroy 171.4 ha of woodland
including vegetation communities listed for protection under state and federal law.
This is additional to the removal of 416.8 ha native vegetation in the current
approval for Moolarben Stage 1.
--[if !supportLists]-->6. <!--[endif]-->The extensive surface disturbance, open cut pits
and overburden emplacement in close proximity to Moolarben Creek represents a
significant threat to downstream water quality from sediment and salinity
discharge into the headwaters of the Goulburn River.
--[if !supportLists]-->7. <!--[endif]-->The proposed Water Management Plan requires
the protection of water quality to be suspended on a regular basis
--[if !supportLists]-->8. <!--[endif]-->The increased mine size will intercept additional
overland and base flows to the Goulburn River
--[if !supportLists]-->9.
And on top of the the 3 open cut mines will result in another 178 Hectares of land
being cleared which includes native forest and the home to endangered
ecological
environment and 2 animals on the threatened species list.
It is surely time that the government stopped investing in such unsustainable
practices as coal mining, and put resources to renewable, greener options
that would also employ a great many people if the government decided to take it
seriously.

Objection to Moolarben Mine Stage 1 Modification 9 (Part3AMod)
I wish to stongly object to this extension for the following reasons:
It's too big. Another 25% is too much for the region, with dust and noise and environmental degradation, and the planet,
with its 6 million tonnes fuelling greenhouse gas emissions, and it will make the impacts continue for far too long at 33
years.
[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Clearing for this extension will destroy 171.4 ha of woodland including vegetation
communities listed for protection under state and federal law - additional to the removal of 416.8 ha native vegetation in
the current approval for Moolarben Stage 1.
It will remove vegetated sandstone ridgeline habitat 100m, 60m and 30m high while increasing dust and noise impacts.
I am very concerned about its significant water impacts, on downstream water quality, unprotected in this proposal, and
the likely impact on the flows to the Goulburn River. This mine has a bad track record, so no amount of 'conditions' are
a protection.
Such an extension ought not to be even considered until The Drip is brought within Goulburn River NP for its
permanent protection!
I urge you to reject this proposal.

I wish to lodge an objection to the proposed "modification" of the Moolarben Mine for the
following reasons.
The proposal to extend the existing footprint of the mine will disturb a significant area (178 ha) and
will remove vegetated sandstone ridges. The increased mining activity will result in greater noise
and dust impacts on more people than those currently affected by noise and dust.
The proposed extension also threatens water quality in the catchment of the Goulburn River
through increased sediment, saline water discharges and the interception of overland flows to the
Goulburn river.
The Moolarben mine has previously shown that it is incapable of managing pollution incidents
which have resulted in the company having fines imposed for those breaches. An increase of the
mine footprint by 25% is very likely to lead to further breaches and the protection of water quality
to be suspended on a regular basis.
Mining approvals and extensions have led to population reductions in rural communities, with the reduction in agricultural production having an economic impact on rural suppliers and local businesses.
Small rural schools such as Wollar PS and Ulan PS have seen severely reduced student populations
as a result of the depopulation of their surrounding areas. A 25% increase in the mine footprint
may further reduce student numbers should more rural properties be purchased. Any such
reduction in numbers at small community schools threatens the very existence of those schools
and may force any remaining children into lengthy bus journeys to attend more distant schools.

This is a submission of objection to the application for a `modification' to Moolarben Stage 1, being an
extension of significant size to the currently approved mine.
The main objection point in this instance is in relation to the roads in the region and the increased traffic an
extension to the mine will cause. Of particular concern is the Ulan Road, which is already a hazardous and at
times dangerous condition. An increase to the size of the Moolarben Mine will impact further on this road, a
road in desperate need of repair and maintenance and already under dispute as to who bears the
responsibility of costing for same. The current voluntary agreement between mines and council is sorely
inadequate and needs revision. Also State Government assistance in funding towards the ongoing cost of
this road is required, as it is already a burdensome amount upon the council and ratepayers of the district
without further damage.

Please find herewith my submission of objection to the Moolarben Mine Stage 1 Modification 9 (Part3AMod).
1. This proposed `modification' is a major extension to the current approved Moolarben Mine.
2. Proposal to extend existing mine footprint by 25% will disturb an additional 178 ha and create a super pit
covering 886 ha.
3. Extending life of mine by 5 years to 2033 to extract additional 6 million tonnes coal per year will cause continued
unsustainable environmental disruption and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The extension will remove vegetated sandstone ridgeline habitat 100m, 60m and 30m high while increasing dust
and noise impacts.
5. Clearing will destroy 171.4 ha of woodland including vegetation communities listed for protection under state
and federal law. This is additional to the removal of 416.8 ha native vegetation in the current approval for
Moolarben Stage 1.
6. The extensive surface disturbance, open cut pits and overburden emplacement in close proximity to Moolarben
Creek represents a significant threat to downstream water quality from sediment and salinity discharge into the
headwaters of the Goulburn River.
7. The proposed Water Management Plan suspends the protection of water quality.
8. The increased mine size will intercept additional overland and base flows to the Goulburn River.
9. `The Drip' must be protected within Goulburn River National Park before this proposal can be considered.
Expansion of the footprint of the 3 open cuts will have devastation ecological impacts including the clearing of an
additional 178 hectares of land, comprising 171ha of native forest and woodland, including 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), 154.2ha of other non-threatened native
vegetation communities and 6.6ha of cleared land or exotic pasture.
Two threatened species recorded - the Eastern Cave Bat and a Brown treecreeper.

1. The proposal to extend existing mine footprint by 25% will result in the clearing
of an additional 178 hectares of land, comprising 171ha of native forest and woodland,
including 17.2ha of the White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Woodland which is
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), 154.2ha of other non-threatened native vegetation communities and 6.6ha
of cleared land or exotic pasture.
2. There are 2 threatened species recorded here - the Eastern Cave Bat and a Brown
treecreeper.
3. The proposed extension will create a super pit covering 886 ha.
4. Extending life of mine by 5 years to 2033 to extract additional 6 million tonnes
coal per year will cause continued unsustainable environmental disruption and increased
greenhouse gas emissions.
5. The extension will remove vegetated sandstone ridgeline habitat 100m, 60m and
30m high while increasing dust and noise impacts.
6. Clearing of the additional woodland, protected under state and federal law wil be
in addition to the removal of 416.8 ha native vegetation in the current approval for
Moolarben Stage 1.
7. The extensive surface disturbance, open cut pits and overburden emplacement in
close proximity to Moolarben Creek represents a significant threat to downstream water
quality from sediment and salinity discharge into the headwaters of the Goulburn River.
The mine management has demonstrated an inability to manage pollution incidents and
has been fined a number of times for breaching existing conditions of approval.
8. The proposed Water Management Plan suspends the protection of water quality.
9. The increased mine size will intercept additional overland and base flows to the
Goulburn River.
10. `The Drip' must be protected within Goulburn River National Park before this
proposal can be considered.

Objection to Moolarben Mine Stage 1 Modificiation 9 (Part3AMod)
I object to this Modification
The proposed `modification' is a major extension rather than just a modification, to the current
approved Moolarben Mine.
It will increase traffic through Yarrawa Road, near Denman. This road is used by mine workers travelling
west as a `short cut'. While mine workers are meant to use the Golden Highway, many use this back
road as a short cut. Part of the road is dirt and gets chopped up by the extra mine traffic.
The proposal will increase salinity levels in the Goulburn River as saline water leaks from storage on the
Moolarben site.
The proposal to extend existing mine footprint by 25% will disturb an additional 178 ha and create a
super pit covering 886 ha.
The proposal will extending the life of mine by 5 years to 2033 to extract additional 6 million tonnes
coal per year.
It will cause continued unsustainable environmental disruption and increased greenhouse gas emissions,
at a time when the concentration of carbon dioxide has risen to 400 ppm. Continued expansion of fossil
fuel supplies such as coal are a massive contributor to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air and
subsequent global warming.
The extension will remove vegetated sandstone ridgeline habitat 100m, 60m and 30m high while
increasing dust and noise impacts.
Clearing will destroy 171.4 ha of woodland including vegetation communities listed for protection under
state and federal law. This is additional to the removal of 416.8 ha native vegetation in the current
approval for Moolarben Stage 1.
The extensive surface disturbance, open cut pits and overburden emplacement in close proximity to
Moolarben Creek represents a significant threat to downstream water quality from sediment and
salinity discharge into the headwaters of the Goulburn River.
The proposed Water Management Plan suspends the protection of water quality.
The increased mine size will intercept additional overland and base flows to the Goulburn River.
`The Drip' must be protected within Goulburn River National Park before this proposal can be
considered.
Lodged by a resident of Denman

Dear Sir/Madam
The proposal to extend existing mine footprint by 25% will disturb an additional 178ha and create a
super pit covering 886ha.
Clearing will destroy 171.4 ha of woodland including vegetation communities listed for protection
under state and federal law. This is additional to the removal of 418.6 ha native vegetation in the
current approval for Moorlarben Stage 1.
The proposed Water Management Plan suspends the protection of water quality.
THE DRIP must be protected within the Goulburn River National Park before this proposal can be
considered.
The mine has demonstrated an inability to manage pollution incidents and has been fined a number
of times for breaching conditions of approval.
The increased mine size will intercept additional overland and base flows to the Goulburn River.
We ask that all of the combined objections be considered separately and that in the balanced
outcome that this proposal be rejected, noting recent findings in the Land and Environment Court
regarding destruction of social fabric, ESD principles and also the Precautionary Principle in relation
to the Warkworth expansion and the township of Bulga.
Protection of the State's water resources must now be paramount in decision making as the track
record of destruction of water systems by mining has well reached a critical point in NSW.
Thanking you in anticipation of a fair and just assessment

I wish to lodge my strong objection to the proposed modification to the Moolarben Mine. My
main concern is the effect on the local water supply.
The expected extensive surface disturbance from open cut pits and overburden placement in close
proximity to Moorlarben Creek constitutes a major threat to downstream water quality from
sediment and salinity discharge into the headwaters of the Goulburn River. In addition, the
increased mine size will have the effect of altering additional overland and base flows to the
Goulburn River.
Also, it is unacceptable that the proposed Water Management Plan actually requires the
protection of water quality to be suspended on a regular basis. This is gross environmental
negligence.
In an attempt to preserve some of the integrity of the local water system, I request that the iconic
"Drip", on the Goulburn River, be placed within the protection of the Goulburn River National
Park.

This is an objection to the extension of the Moolarben mine. The negative impact of the mine as it already exists on the environment and people who live in the district and further afield is huge. An extension will destroy additional vegetation and threatened species listed for protection by federal and state law!! What is going on? Mining companies are immune to the trenchant opposition by thousands of people to coal mining They are dismissive of government requirements as shown by Yancoal having already breached existing condition of approval numerous times and this extension will further increase their opportunity to flout these requirements. This government absolutely must protect 'The Drip', a unique and magnificent land form on the Goulbum River. It has to be added to the Goulburn River National Park - our local member Andrew Gee is a strong supporter of its protection and has given his constituency every assurance that it will be saved from the destruction of mining. This must occur before any consideration can be given to increased mining impacts in the region.

Documentation uploaded below.

Please refer to the attachment.

I hereby give my support to the Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 1 Optimisation Project

I support this project for the following reasons;
I am employed by Moolarben Coal Operations and since my employment I have seen how Moolarben contributes to the local economy through direct employment of Mine personnel and also suppliers and contractors, they donate to charities and sponsor major events and fundraisers in the local region.

Moolarben Coal Operations undertakes very proactive rehabilitation procedures which you can easily see.

Moolarben also contributes to local roads and infrastructure financially.

They are a great family orientated company and a great team to work with and I am very happy and proud to be employed for such a terrific company like Moolarben Coal Operations.

Cudgegong Cruisers Inc. have been generously supported directly by Moolarben Coal over the past years, enabling us to run our events, without thier support our events including our major fundraiser for Can Assist Mudgee Branch Can Cruise would really struggle to be a success.....

Please see submission attached.

See attached.

Please see uploaded PDF from Rylstone District Environment Society

Please see attached

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