Modification 5 Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project

It creates jobs
Provides more opportunities for the communities
Supports local companies and suppliers
It will result in a better environmental result when the time comes for the land rehabilitation

I Michele Keith of 9 Moore Road Bolwarra Heights object to the extension of Bloomfield mine because of:
- The clearing of endangered ecological communities of Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest that is foraging habitat for 8 endangered species.
- The approval of this extension contradicts the Maitland City Council, the State Government and the Federal Government strategies for the protection of endangered species.
- The extension of the mine contributes significantly to global warming and in particular the warming of the Maitland Environment.
- The unacceptable dust particles that continue to coat the people properties that border the mine in Ashtonfield.

I support the project for economic and employment availability reasons.

The Bloomfield Colliery Continuation (BCC) - Mod 5 should be rejected by both the NSW Government, and the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC).

Over the last decade I have both visited and occasionally lived with my family at Louth Park. Anyone who is familiar with the bush in the Lower Hunter should be aware of its natural beauty. However, few would be conscious of its function of supporting the native flora, fauna and waterways.

My objections to the BCC are primarily based on environmental issues. These also relate to the Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project, Community Newsletter - April 2025. (See attached, if I can do so).

The area of bush that will be replaced by cattle grazing pastures is offensive. Bloomfield call this “rehabilitated” land. This is so they can extend their operations until 2035. So an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) that has been assessed by independent experts will be totally destroyed, and replaced by cow pastures. For what? Their Community Newsletter advises that, “the proposed approved annual production level will be reduced”. So for a small amount of profit for Bloomfield, they propose destroying 51 hectares of EEC that has supported its flora, fauna and waterways for thousands of years. The yield from the coal extracted has to be weighed against the value of the 51 hectares of EEC.

The Bloomfield Newsletter refers to a biodiversity offset strategy which will address the ecological impacts associated with the “disturbance” of vegetation. The BCC is not going to “disturb” the vegetation. The proposal is to totally replace the EEC existing vegetation with cow pastures.

I am not convinced that people who live near an open cut mine are not impacted one way or another. I know people who live in the Upper Hunter who have coal dust throughout their houses; in their lungs; and in their living and working spaces. People who can, move away. Not many miners live near these open cuts. They live further afield in more environmentally favourable neighbourhoods. I’d be much happier if the government made it a condition of consent that the mine owners and senior management had to live closest to their mine. Off the topic I hear you say. No. With Bloomfield they have removed the native vegetation and mined. They have left a thin strip of vegetation around the edge so when people drive past all they see is trees, or Black Angus cattle grazing contentedly. This is a deceit.

The Newsletter also makes a point of how they invest in many community organisations in the local area through the Bloomfield Group Foundation. I would suggest that all developments similar to this should have their “donations”, which are really a sweetener to their local communities, managed by an independent trust. The amount of should be stipulated as $thousands pa, or a percentage of revenue.

For Bloomfield to say that their final lands is cattle grazing is dishonest. In a previous Licence application they said that one use could be a residential community, with shops, childcare, etc. There is no way that this huge area won’t be transferred into some realestate development. There will be little bush for the community to try to protect. And the Black Angus will have long gone to the abattoir. They will have served their purpose.

Finally, I ask that the independent professionals who have to assess this BCC - Mod 5 see it for what it is: the destruction of an EEC so they can develop the land at a later date.

Re: State Significant Development Modification Application - Bloomfield Coal Mine Modification (MP07_0087-Mod-5)

Please find below some of my concerns about the current Modification Application.

Reducing Climate Impacts is Everyone’s Responsibility:
Collectively, we need to consider Scope 3 emissions associated with burning coal, regardless of who burns it. Continuing to export thermal coal from Australia will only reduce the world-wide likelihood of meeting the Paris Agreement emissions goals. Moreover, a wealthy country like Japan, which is Bloomfield’s largest customer, can easily afford to phase out coal-fired power and replace it with other forms of energy generation, including expanding its off-shore wind capabilities.

Sub-region Biodiversity Needs Strengthening:
In the current Hunter Regional Plan (HRP 2041), there are three clear goals for the ‘Four Mile Creek Precinct’ (which includes Bloomfield): “Encourage employment uses that leverage the access and proximity to M1 Pacific Motorway or rail infrastructure, including freight, warehousing and logistics, and that complement nearby centres”; “Repurpose existing infrastructure to support transition to new uses”; and “Conserve high environmental value lands” (see page 75 and Figure 11).

Importantly, the Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project (2024/09978) is a “controlled action” under Commonwealth legislation [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999].

The assessments associated with the current Modification Proposal underestimate the biodiversity significance of the Black Hill, Buttai and Buchanan areas. For example, potential impacts on critically endangered species, such as the Regent Honeyeater, were inadequate (e.g., failing to undertake targeted searches during breeding seasons). Food sources, such as flowering Spotted Gums, need to be better protected across this sub-region.

Additionally, if the current proposal is approved, it would be wise to require any biodiversity offsets to be located on the existing untouched Bloomfield site or on nearby Conservation Areas (e.g., improving connectivity and habitat protection) - to help ensure the best protection for endangered species.

Specifically, there are several nearby Conservation Areas (such as the Stockrington and Werekata State Conservation Areas, and the Abel-Donaldson Bushland Conservation Area) that need long-term protection and enhancement – which might be suitable locations for any additional biodiversity offset requirements.

Liveability Impacts on Nearby Residents:
After many, many decades of living with the Bloomfield operations, surely the nearby residents and communities deserve a respite (especially those in the Buttai Valley) – which they will currently get with the mine’s closure in 2030 (if the current modification is not approved). Furthermore, the current noise modelling indicates that 3 houses in Buttai will be affected by noise 3-5 dB above Project Noise Trigger Levels, suggesting that other residents in the Valley are also likely to be more affected by noise than they were previously. What can be done to ameliorate these noise impacts on residents?

Current Mining Extension is Not Needed:
It appears that the likely benefits of this proposal are overstated. For example, it is stated that this project “… provides the opportunity to mine an area of shallow historic underground workings, thereby removing the potential for subsidence and voids to occur at the surface and providing improved long term stability benefits for the final landform". Clearly, stabilising the area near the rail loop, and dealing with current and potential sink holes, is in Bloomfields’ interests – given the potential for the development of a future intermodal interchange. However, this relatively minor work could be done now, within the current approval (i.e., before 2030), and the additional coal extraction benefits would be minimal. With respect to employment benefits, most of the mines current workforce could probably be absorbed by other operations that the company conducts, such as the Rix's Creek mine.

Inconsistent with Council Strategic Plans:
Maitland and Cessnock Councils have Local Environmental Sustainability Strategies in place, which support community 20-year strategic plans (e.g., Living sustainably; protecting native plants and animals; improving the quality of waterways; recognising the value of open space and recreation; and so on). Delivering functional biodiversity corridors, and protecting important natural spaces, could be achieved by extensive rezoning of current mine buffer zones; for example, by recategorizing from zones C3/RU2 to C2 - further protecting local biodiversity corridors.

Please see attachment

HCEC objects to the Modification. See submission attached.

I have not been able to attach this as a PDF, on our letterhead as the heavy rain and cloud is interfering with the internet here. W Wales

Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc is located in the Upper Hunter coalfields. We are dedicated to providing community voice to industry and all levels of government in defense of our natural environment in the interests of human health and well being, and the protection of biodiversity.

DAMS HEG Inc objects to the extension and expansion of the Bloomfield Colliery.
We object because burning fossil fuels, including coal, is destabilising the earth’s climate equilibrium. Stable, habitable weather conditions, that have allowed humanity to flourish over millenia, are at tipping points.
Scientists from the IPCC advise the world has until 2030 to substantially reduce CO2 emissions to restrict global warming to 1.5C – obviously adding and cribbing more coal mining to 2035 is out of line. We have already touched 1.5C and NSW communities are already facing unprecedented catastrophic climate events.
Our unique natural heritage, what is left of it, has evolved over hundreds of millions years. So many species are now on the brink and could easily be lost within a generation or two. Is our greed, selfishness and apathy really going to win over the needs of our life support system, mother Earth?
As per the Hunter Regional Plan 2041, biodiversity habitat connections across the Four Mile creek (Bloomfield site) need to be maintained for species, including Koala, Pied Bat, Regent Honeyeater, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Swift Parrot, Greater Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider, New Holland Mouse and Spot-tailed Quoll.
Coal mining does not provide a true cost benefit analysis when the burden of climate impacts is factored in, nor even proper rehabilitation of the landscape. Offsets have been exposed as a flawed sleight of hand system which does not deliver like for like environmental outcomes.
This year record floods in central Queensland resulted in the drowning of 100,000 cattle. The flooding occurring as I write this submission has already exceeded previous flood events.* At the micro level, individual households outside these reported flood events are frequently experiencing inundation from stormwater runoff, roof leaks and sewerage overflows, as in Newcastle this week.
Coal mine expansion must be stopped - the safety of our communities and the climate depend on it.
The climate impact of the greater portion of the emissions, the Scope 3 emissions, must be properly considered. Clearly these extra emissions are incompatible with the world achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
It is in bad faith to humanity and all of nature to keep exporting ever more thermal coal. Increasing CO2 emissions leads to hotter temperatures, drier conditions, more evaporation, greater temperature differentials, stronger winds and more extreme weather events, worse bushfires in Australia, as well as warmer ocean temperatures and adverse impacts on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.
In the unhappy event this expansion is approved, it is considered the best protection and outcomes for endangered species impacted would come from setting aside the untouched habitat on the Bloomfield site as biodiversity offsets and the same, adjacent to the nearby Stockrington State Conservation area.
*https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-20/weather-warnings-for-nsw-live-blog/105311220

I strongly object to this expansion of this Coal Mine as the site is part of of the endangered Spotted gum/Iron bark (Eucalyptus maculata/Eucalyptus sideroxylon) community which is crucial habitat for the Critical Endangered Regent Honey Eater.
This bird species has been identified within this area.
The Biodiversity assessment report undertaken by EcoResolve was remiss in its lack of recordings of this bird.
Economically the proposal does not stack up in the Public Interest as large sums of public money has been spent in conjunction with Taronga Zoo undertaking a breeding program which will come to nought if this critical habitat is destroyed.
This is a typical situation where public funds will be squandered for private gain.

I object to the destruction of woodland containng Spotted Gum and Ironbark forest that provide habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot and Gang Gang Cockatoo species.

As a person who grew up at Metford near the mine I strongly support the Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project.
As a business owner who provides goods and services to The Bloomfield Group at Bloomfield Colliery I strongly support the Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project as not only does my Company enjoy the benefits of working with Bloomfield but so do my employees, of which many live in the Maitland area as does the wider community.

To whom it may concern,
Please see attached letter of support for the Modification 5 Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project.
Many thanks
Belinda Clements

I believe the group has supported the local community, all its workers, countless contractors and local supply companies for over 80 years and has proved it respects the environment. I support the submission so this support can continue into the future.
Based on the current world demand for coal, the world still needs and plans to use this natural resource.

I am writing to you to express my support for the Bloomfield mine extension at the Rix's Creek site near Singleton. I have been employed at the site for a few years. Long enough to have extensive knowledge on how they operate.

I'm sure you are already well aware of the benefits of the local jobs this would create, economy stimulation in the surrounding towns from the company spending money with local suppliers and employees spending money in town, royalty payments the government will receive and community groups continuing to receive grant funding. I would like to bring a few things to your attention from first hand experience that you may not be aware of.

The Bloomfield Groups motto is "We Care, We Deliver " In my experience that's not just corporate hyperbole, they mean it and they are true to their word. Allow me to give some examples of this.

When the Rixs Creek site receives a complaint about a lighting tower affecting nearby residents at night or dust / noise from mining operations reaches unacceptable levels it is acted on immediately, without exception. We do our absolute best to be a good neighbour, during my previous employment at sites in the Hunter Valley owned by the larger mining companies I did not always find that to be the case.

We utilise local suppliers as much as possible, whereas in my experience the larger companies utilise local suppliers as little as possible if a cheaper price can be found elsewhere. Employee uniforms, workshop consumables and storeroom supplies etc are sourced from Hunter Valley suppliers by the Bloomfield Group, unlike the bigger companies who source it from the major cities.

The employee loyalty at the Bloomfield Group is strong, everyone I know there (myself included) wants to stay there until they retire. Meaning they will continue to be residents of the surrounding towns and contributing to the local economy for the remainder of their working life at least.

Rixs Creek is a small site with a small number of employees, the effect of that small number of employees travelling to work has an insignificant effect on local traffic volumes.

In conclusion, I support the mine extension proposal, myself and many others will continue to be local residents for the life of the mine. Aside from the economic benefits I believe it should be approved because in my humble opinion we are the best in the Hunter Valley at following all applicable laws and regulations to the letter and being good neighbours / community members.

The extension will provide ongoing employment for employees, contractors and supply companies for the local community, whilst also generating future contributions to the local economy. Additionally The Bloomfield Group will continue with their long proven and demonstrated investment to many community organisations through The Bloomfield Group Foundation. The proposed modification would result in beneficial changes to the currently approved post mining landform by reducing the size of the final void and reducing rehabilitated slope angles, which benefit the final land use (cattle grazing).

See attachment

Three key reasons:
* The proposed modification would result in beneficial changes to the currently approved post mining landform by reducing the size of the final void and reducing rehabilitated slope angles, which benefit the final land use (cattle grazing).
* Opportunity to address legacy matters associated with the site: Mining has been carried out at the site since the late 1850s. This project provides the opportunity to mine an area of shallow historic underground workings, thereby removing the potential for subsidence and voids to occur at the surface and providing improved long term stability benefits for the final landform.
* Continued mining will mean ongoing investment in the many community organisations Bloomfield supports in the local area through The Bloomfield Group Foundation.

I support the project and look foward to the continued financial benefits for all the employees, contractors and supporting business. The Bloomfield group is and always has been a committed partner to many community clubs and organizations over the last 80 years.

As a previous Operations Manager for a mining components company in the Hunter Valley, I am well aware of what mining brings to the community and to the nation. While many seek to shut down mining in entirety, most of the items we use today rely on mining as the means to produce the materials utilized in production of those items. What most don’t acknowledge is that the communities around mining operations rely so heavily on the operation for the financial stability, Bloomfield's provision of financial stability is no different.
It is my understanding that Bloomfield is requesting an extension to the current planned operation, not an expansion. I also understand that their current operation does not impact the local community negatively in any manner so why would we as a larger community have a concern about their operation continuing for an extended five years. I also understand that they meet all their environmental requirements and limit the impact to the environment and to the land where possible and that this extension would allow Bloomfield to limit subsidence and help develop landform and reclamation to a greater extent. Why would we as a community not want them to accomplish this?
Bloomfield has been in operation for over 150 years, that in itself is amazing. Any other business with such longevity would become a heritage site at their closing. The history, the stories the endevours and the challenges that Bloomfield must have faced over those 150 plus years would make for great record keeping.
I believe the Bloomfield operation has been held to extremely high standards, have met all the federal, state and local government rules and regulations and have operated with integrity and professionalism. It will be a shame for this mine to close so I am in favour of this mine site remaining open, extending the closure date.
While there appears to be no concern to the community or to the environment by Bloomfield remaining open longer, there are concerns about its closure. One concern I would have for Bloomfield closing will be for the people the operation affects. The people and their families who work at the mine, the contractors and their families and the local business owners who rely on the Bloomfield operation to make their living will be affected greatly. Career changes, business closures, loss of income, and more, the closure of the Bloomfield operation will have a large financial flow on effect and will no doubt be a great concern for many people. By extending the life of the mine NSW government guarantees the livelihoods of many employees, contractors and local businesses. In a time where livelihood and financial strains weigh so heavily on the people of this nation, here is an easy decision to limit that affect, and delay financial strain and financial concern to hundreds if not thousands.
Extend the life of the mine, and in doing so, extend the financial life of the families and the local community who rely on Bloomfield and its operation. Bloomfield have poured financial life into the community through its operation through the Bloomfield Foundation and to those who are involved directly in the operation. Keep that financial commitment Bloomfield provides steady for a while longer for the benefit of all involved.
Sincerely,