Modification 4 Longwall 317 and 318 Modification

Megabolt Australia is family owned private business based in Melbourne with employees in NSW and Queensland that supplies a customised roof support product to the Metropolitan Mine. In order to meet the requirements of the mine, Megabolt directly employs three (3) full time equivalent staff dedicated to producing product and providing on-site service to the mine. The Metropolitan Mine is a progressive organisation who are conscious of their environmental, social and community responsibilities. Megabolt Australia fully supports the Metropolitan Mine's application to extend its steelmaking coal operations until 2031.

Coal remains a vital commodity in the modern world and in sourcing it, Metropolitan employs hundreds of people in the community. Its operations stimulate the local economy by generating over $200m in sales with local suppliers, further supporting employment in the region. Without its presence, Helensburgh's foot traffic would significantly decrease, impacting local shops and eateries. Metropolitan is committed to maintaining the environment as best as possible, rectifying any issues if they do occur. Overall, I support Metropolitans continued operations and the approval of LW 317 & 318.

Essential SSP for the Illawarra and beyond. Support local industry and economy whilst protecting the environment.

I support the ongoing mining of metalurgical coal in the Illawarra for reasons such as:
- Continued local employment directly at mine sites and head offices
-Flow on effect to local community i.e small business, suppliers, contract partners etc
-Ability to keep making world leading quality Australian steel with minimal impact to infrastructure and environment with the ability to rail coal directly into the steel works
-Allowing ongoing investment in local Mine Rescue/coal services operations and access for mining graduates from Wollongong university and UNSW
-Peabody has shown an ongoing commitment to best practice underground coal mining with minimal impact to environment and world leading mine site re-hab initives
-Local made steel is vital for construction and essential infrastructure we rely on each and everyday
-Why would we risk having to use anything other than domestic coal or risk another shutdown steel works like Whyalla?
-The Illawarra has a rich history in coal and steel and thsi needs to be recognised and endorsed as we move forward with best practice to a greener future

this would ensure jobs for the region and I support the extension

This is a vital extension to the current workings that will provide jobs and income for the local community and NSW as a whole

I object to this project because it pushes damaging long wall mining further west under the Sydney water catchment. Sydney is the only major city in the world where long wall mining is allowed beneath its water catchment. The negative impacts of long wall mining on upland swamps and waterways that feed into Sydney's water supply are irreversible; a previously approved long wall mine has resulted in devastating and irreversible negative impacts on Waratah Rivulet (see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-26/riverbed-cracking-2/4281346 and https://www.ssec.org.au/our-campaigns/stop-woronora-mining-petition/).
In a climate emergency where there are increases in temperature and risks of extended drought, it is too risky to allow any additional long wall mining in Sydney's water catchment.
Coal mining also results in increased carbon emissions, both through the mining process and as a result of burning the coal thus mined. In a climate emergency where every country in the world needs to rapidly reduce carbon emissions to zero, no new coal mines should be approved, including this proposed extension.
I also object to the proposed modification because the proponent has repeatedly failed to adhere to the conditions of its license. For example, it was found guilty of two separate pollution events in 2022 and fined over $500,000 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/coal-mine-polluter-peabody-ordered-to-pay-half-million-dollars/104658030). The Environment Protection Authority of NSW reviewed the proponent's license in 2022 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-18/epa-threatens-to-suspend-peabody-energy-licence-after-pollution/101670658), due to concerns over the pollution incidents, which resulted in tighter conditions being imposed on the license (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-18/royal-national-park-platypus-health-fears-peabody-mine/102742268).
Additionally, Platypus have now been successfully reintroduced into the Hacking River, and there is risk that ongoing mining may jeopardise their future (see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-18/royal-national-park-platypus-health-fears-peabody-mine/102742268).
On all the above grounds, I believe that the project should be rejected.

1. Climate change is an existential threat to human society. We are supposed to be reducing not increasing carbon emissions, yet Australia is now expoering 3 times more coal pa than at the time of Kyoto. Global emissions are now double what they were in the 90's. We have already reached the 1.5degrees called for as a limit to safe warming. There can be no further approval of new coal mining, and we need to phase out all mining as soon as possible if we are to retain a safe environment for our society long term.
2. It would be more than foolish to further undermine Sydney's vital water catchment, increasing the porosity of rock beneath and surrounding our dams.
3. Pollution in local waterways from the effects of coal mining is already unacceptable.

No more leniency to coal, just because they have better footing than the eco-turbines, if windfarms can get pushed back because of it being 'too loud' and it 'affects bird flight patterns' so can coal because it is putting pollution straight into waterways, even if there is a km of earth between the plant and the waterway means that the earth disruption will STILL POLLUTE THE WATERWAY. Coal deposits should not be disrupted as they are anyways. They are literal carbon deposits, storing carbon so they won't be released into the air, what happens when bringing them to the surface? Better ways to get energy, coal is not needed. This is just idiotic and frankly a middle finger to the future generations. Thank you.

This project is important for the community.

The NSW Government has committed to the Climate Change Act 2023, and the approval of this project would cause significant reputational damage to the government as it would undoubtedly go against our commitment to achieving the goals of the Act, by contributing large volumes of greenhouse gas emissions. As a state, the government has committed to moving towards sustainable energy production, and we can no longer afford to allow any expansions in the fossil fuel industry.

As a long term resident of Thirroul i am appalled that extension to long wall mining in our catchment can even be considered with the public acknowledgment by Peabody that some damage will occur to swamps and watercourses. I am not anti mining but the catchment is a priceless asset for flora, fauna and our very sustainability into the future.
Mine where appropriate, no risk taking with our most precious resource.

Mining is a key contributor to the nation's economy and we have strict legislation to ensure impacts are thoroughly evaluated before a mine receives approvals. Metropolitan's coal is used to make steel which the world needs if we are to build the infrastructure for renewable energy but also the mine supplies coal to the local steelworks - BlueScope. If we don't have Metropolitan supplying BlueScope it would significantly reduce the sources of coal for that steelworks.

NSW has a multi faceted state economy, and mining is a key part of this. Direct and indirect employment is significant, while the technological spin off businesses are also adding high value / high wage employment. The royalties and income from mining are a significant part of the state budget, and getting to net zero emissions by 2050, will still require coal in the meantime (according to all scenarios from the IEA).
Ensuring high paying direct and indirect employment is maintained in NSW is part of the needed decisions to keep living standards at acceptable levels while we pay for changes to the economy. Russia, Canada or Australia will supply this coal, let's make sure we get some of the wealth, while ensuring acceptable environmental outcomes.

I'm sure that the conditions of any approval, and the monitoring of the mining operation's environmental and safety performance can be managed in an acceptable way.

Regards

I support the proposal

I Support The Project