Modification 5 Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project

Bloomfield is a great company that highly supports the community with local employment and economic benefits.

Bloomfield is a great work place providing valuable jobs to the local community

Long standing operation has consistently proven to be a good operator, neighbour and employer.

Please see attached submission.

Ongoing employment for the region.
Continued community and charity support.
Will not increase mining footprint.
Reduce old shallow workings making ground safe from subsidence.

I object to this project because it will destroy spotted gum/ironbark forest which is an endangered ecological community and is habitat for the critically endangered regent honey eater.

Creates employment they donate to charities though out the hunter valley with a positive outcome for those charities look ahead continued mining of the Bloomfield site is positive plus for businesses and families though out the hunter valley

I object to the proposed project. It will result in the clearing of 51.69 ha of native vegetation which forms part of the threatened ecological community which is listed as endangered under the BC Act. This habitat is confirmed to be utilised by multiple threatened species. Clearing native vegetation for the purpose of fossil fuel generation is unacceptable in this current climate.

I would like to lend my support to extend the lifespan of Bloomfield Colliery. Bloomfield has provided stable employment for my husband and fellow workers for many years.

The continuation of the mine will mean additional taxation payable to Governments and Royalties paid to The State contribute to funding NSW hospitals, schools, essential services and infrastructure. Many local community organisations have been supported through The Bloomfield Group Foundation with their investments.

The continuation of the mining project does not involve an increase in production and mining will not occur any closer to residential areas than has previously occurred. It will provide ongoing employment for its employees, contractors and supply companies.

Thank you for the opportunity to offer my support.

The Bloomfield Group has been supporting our small family owned and run business for the past 25 years
by extending the life of Their Bloomfield Colliery, this will ensure our small local business continues to grow and also support other local families employed by us.

Bloomfield is a local company providing jobs in the hunter valley. As a contractor to the industry my family depends on work in the industry to survive along with my children and their family’s.
I have been involved with Bloomfield for 45 years,
We believe the continuation project will benefit many in the local area and the community!
I support the modification 5 Bloomfield colliery continuation project
P Geary

This extension allows for continued economic opportunities and the responsible management of energy resources in our community. The company is a good corporate citizen and does much to support the economy of the Hunter Valley as well as the state in revenue and employment

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,

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.

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.

See attachment

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).

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.

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.