Moolarben Coal - Expansion

I believe that this project should not proceed primarily because there has already been extensive damage to the water resource of this environmentally significant area due to coal mining and any expansion of operations here will further debilitate what must be, on this the driest inhabited continent on Earth, our most valuable resource - fresh water. Enough is enough! Leave some water (and coal) for future generations.

I ask you to consider the preservation of THE DRIP & CORNER GEORGES oft he Goulburn River.Failure of the company to include this area in the offset package is of concern.
My connection with the Goulburn River extends to the late 1940s.Over this time I have seen many changes,One cannot drink the water without risk.
Doubtless this area should be part of the Goulburn River National Park as it has now become private property(being converted to freehold over recent times ) to enable public access & enjoyment.

OBJECTION TO THE MOOLARBEN COAL COMPLEX STAGE 2 - PREFERRED PROJECT REPORT: PROJECT NO: 08_0135
We are objecting to the Moolarben Coal Complex Stage 2 development on a number of issues:

CLEARING OF LAND AND BIODIVERSITY OFFSETS
The project involves the clearing of over 900 hectares of native forest, including 123 hectares of the endangered ecological community - Box Woodland.
The Biodiversity Offsets to be provided for the project are located away from the Hunter Valley catchment and therefore do not represent like for like.
This will lead to further loss of biodiversity in the Upper Hunter.
`THE DRIP AND CORNER GORGES' - The offset package does not include the environmentally important river corridor known as "The Drip
and Corner Gorges". This area must be transferred into the Goulburn River National Park to ensure its appropriate management and protection, and
to allow legal public access to this significant recreational, educational and cultural river corridor.

SITES OF ABORIGINAL SIGNIFICANCE
During the current unprecedented rush to extract the resources in this time of the "mining boom", many sites of aboriginal cultural significance are
being destroyed. The Moolarben Coal Complex Stage 2 could impact on 148 aboriginal cultural sites. These must be protected.

GOULBURN RIVER AND INTERCONNECTED GROUND WATER
The Goulburn River close to its headwaters has already received significant damage from other open cut pits in the area. The Moolarben Coal Complex
Stage2, will cause damage to the Goulburn River and interconnected ground water systems that will take at least 100 years to resolve.
Any damage to water systems ultimately affects downstream communities, the Goulburn River National Park and farming properties and ultimately
the Hunter River, and must not be allowed to take place.

MOOLARBEN COAL COMPLEX STAGE 2
This project will produce 17 million tonnes of coal which will cause at least 23.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to be released into the
atmosphere, increasing the green-house effect and causing even further climate instability. This threat to the wellbeing of all, must be prevented.

HOUSING & SERVICES (such as medical and hospitals) in Mudgee and surrounding towns and villages are already over-stretched. The proposed project will cause further congestion. This problem needs to be addressed immediately.

INDEPENDENT EXPERT PANEL
The Department of Planning should appoint an independent expert panel or Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) to fully scrutinise the concerns
outlined above and other matters such as the grossly excessive use of the ground water resources in the area.

E.P. and J.J. FINNIE

OBJECTION TO THE MOOLARBEN COAL COMPLEX STAGE 2 - PREFERRED PROJECT REPORT: PROJECT NO: 08_0135
I strongly object to the Moolarben Coal Complex Stage 2 project on the following grounds:
GREENHOUSE GASES:
It is intended that this project will produce a further 17 million tonnes of coal per annum. This will result in the production of at least 23.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (much more when vehicular emissions and the methane escaping from the open pit are taken into account). This enormous volume of greenhouse gases will cause further climate instability leading to more intense droughts, storms and floods. The emergency responses to these disasters will cause further loss of State and Federal financial resources and ultimately lead to increases in taxation.
GROUND WATER
The groundwater modelling for this project shows significant differences from the modelling for the adjacent Ulan Coal Mine. Which one is correct? Are either of them anywhere near the true impact on the groundwater resources of the area? This leads to a total lack of confidence in the ability of the hydrologists to carry out these assessments.
GOULBURN RIVER, THE DRIP AND CORNER GORGES
The Goulburn River has already been severely impacted by the coal mines in the area. The damage to this scenically beautiful river, by the project, will take at least 100 years to resolve. This is completely unacceptable.
Further to this, the culturally and scenically significant Drip and Corner Gorges area has been ignored in the project. This magnificent area must receive long term protection, appropriate management and on-going public access for educational and tourism purposes; to this end it should be included in the Goulburn River National Park.

The Drop and Corner Gorges should have permanent protection like a national park from mining and its effects.
Permanent damage to the Goulburn River from the proposed extension is totally unacceptable. Water required for this extension would be totally unrealistic and unsustainable. The bio offset is not in the local area and is not acceptable to replace the huge loss of 900 hectares of native forest.

Proposed Stage 2 expansion of the Moolarben Coal Mine

Thank-you for your invitation to provide feedback on the proposal entitled "Moolarben Mine Stage 2 Project"
In today's edition of the Mudgee Guardian

http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/who-owns-the-drip-the-answer-will-surprise-you/2460746.aspx

I read with great alarm that the local area known as "The Drip" had been converted from Crown Land to freehold and even worse that the ownership of that area is now in the hands of Moolarben coal mine. "The Drip" is an area of extreme natural beauty and to some extent tranquility. Easily accessed and enjoyed by many visitors each year. A peaceful walk along the banks of the Goulburn River and a swim in the cool waters in summer just one of the possibilities to enjoy. The beauty of the actual drip speaks in soft whispers to those lucky enough to behold the rising escarpment viewed from the gravely riverbed below. The cool waters dripping from the moss covered rocky overhang landing in the bubbling stream of water below which is the Goulburn river, will flow down- stream until it joins the Hunter river near Denman, then onward to Newcastle.

I fear that all this could be lost to the mining juggernaut which is overwhelming the area of Ulan. All they need do is put up a wire fence and hand a `KEEP OUT" sign thereon, and presto !! No more pesky people wondering on their site!

Moolarben coal give their empty assurance that mining is not proposed for the area and further affirm that they are committed to protecting the environment, which is another empty claim.

The scar that Moolarben has quickly become is there in plain sight. Why would any responsible government believe any of their claims given the recent $70,000 fine imposed on the company. Furthermore Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said in the press release dated 11 August, 2010 that he was not prepared to stand idly by while a breach such as this took place, particularly as it relates to the clearing of endangered vegetation. Well I hope that he will not stand idly by on this matter either.

If ownership of the area "The Drip" has been transferred to Moolarben Coal then this needs to be immediately reversed and the land restored to Crown ownership. This must be done so that future and present generations may enjoy the splendour of this natural wonder.

Kind regards
Adrian Moriarty

I write in reference to the decision to grant the freehold to The Drip, one of our most precious natural icons, to Moolarben Mine.

http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/who-owns-the-drip-the-answer-will-surprise-you/2460746.aspx

This is most disturbing and an inquiry into this should be undetaken immediately.

The Drip belongs to the public and should become part of the National Park system. It should not have been given away to a foreign owned mining company who has demonstrated scant concern for the needs of our local community. The decision must be overturned.

Kind regards

I'd like to formally object to the MCC PPR Stage 2 plan.

The Drip and Corner Gorges should be transferred into the Goulburn River National Park to ensure their long term protection, appropriate management and legal public access to this regionally significant recreational, educational and cultural river corridor.

As far as I remember the NSW governement had promised to phase out coal mining soon. This energy source has already caused major environmental damage to the areas around Ulan, Wilpinjong and Moolarben.
Coal mines should be urgently shut down and our energy needs covered by renewables, available aplenty.

Coal Mining is a thing of the past and should not be allowed in these envirnomentally important areas. Water, forests, wildlife and have already suffered too much and won't be able to recover if government keeps allowing this exploitaition of our country.

As a correspondent and journalist who suggests travel itinerarys to europeans it becomes more and more difficult for me to recommend areas around Mudgee and Orange to inbound tourists. Those people don't pay all their holiday money to end up in a coal mining area. They search nature and relaxation, not dust and noise and a damaged envrionment.

Please make sure that the Corner Gorges and The Drip are protected from the impact of mining.

Yours sincerly
Julica Jungehülsing

We live on the southern end of this development and would like to make the following comments.
The MCC Executive summary shows several tables where our block (ID 47) is shown as "Significant exceedence" according to their modelling. We have not been consulted with by MCC for any future affects on our way of life.
We purchased this block 10 years ago, and built a beautiful home 2 years ago, with full intention of remaining here.
We were prepared to live with pit 3 as it was advertised as a short life span of 3 years. Now we are facing 26 years of a huge open cut pit 4. Figure 13 in Hansen Baily diagram depicts us in a 40 db range for all years of the mine life.
Figure 14 depict shading on our block and noting "significant exceedance".
Regards
Steven and Mary Andrews

I am totally against any mining activities to be held in the area of The Drip. This area had such environmental biodiversity and brings alot of tourists to the Mudgee Region. Alot of the district has been destoyed by mining, enough is enough. Leave fragile environments alone, money isn't the answer to everything. These environments have taken thousands of years to evolve and mining detroys them in a matter of years, we cant get these complex ecosystems back. Replanting after the mining industry has raped the land just doesnt cut it, it leads to a monoculture type environment.

I am writing in disgust at finding out the drip tourist area in this proposal has been taking over from crown land. This may have happened some time ago but Mudgee and surrounding residents were not aware. It has been kept under wraps. I took 3 English tourists out there last Friday and to my astonishment found this out on Monday!!!

QUESTION will mining around this area effect the underground springs that cause the dripping water into the gorge???

I am sure this area is never intended to be mined??
What effect will the dust and digging have to this sacred aboriginal cathedral???

Will the mine be funding to re establish the board wAlk below the stairs that has been washed away and remove fallen trees from the walking track that have come down with age and floods!!

Mines have ruined wollar And now the government has allowed. You to purchase this absolutely brilliant tourist attraction and sacred site!!!

I hope you have no intention of damaging this area or surrounds
Can you prove mining around it will NOT damage it and the flora and fauna with in it?????

Absolutely disgusted Mudgee resident

Mining of any kind should not be carried out in these areas

I object to the proposal for the following reasons:

1. The offset package fails to include the culturally and scenically significant river corridor known as The Drip and Corner Gorges securing its long term protection, appropriate management and on going public access.
2. Mine disturbance footprint of 1546 ha of native vegetation including 4.1 kms of Murragamba creek, 4.1 kms of eastern creek
3. Clearing of over 900 has of native forest (123ha EEC Box Woodland).
4. Biodiversity offsets are located outside the Hunter Valley catchment, do not represent `like for like' nor replace the net loss to the bio-region
5. 148 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage sites will be impacted
6. Production 17Mt coal or 23.7 Million tonnes (co2-e) year of Greenhouse Gases fueling further climate instability
7. The permanent damage (at least 100 years) to the Goulburn River and connected groundwater system is unacceptable
8. No confidence that the groundwater modelling accurately predicts water impacts - there are significant disparities between Moolarben and Ulan Coal Mines groundwater assessments.
9. Water balance indicates approximately 3850 ML/annum of water required (10.55ML/day)
10. Water deficit for 23 of 24 years (up to 1990ML extra water required)
11. Water for coal washing should be first sourced from Ulan Coal Mine surplus groundwater before additional extraction from the Northern Borefield (adjacent to the Goulburn River).
12. Excessive noise levels due to the location of the conveyor on top of ridge (must be sound attenuated and set lower on landscape to minimise noise dispersal)
13. The Voluntary Payment Agreement offered to Mid Western Region Council is only $1.365m and is inadequate
14. The increased pressure on housing and services in the Mudgee area has not been addressed
15. Department of Planning needs to appoint an independent expert panel or Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) to fully scrutinise the strategies, assumptions and actions

My concerns are with the impact of stage 2 are the same as stage 1 . I am affected with stage 1 with humming, clunking, blasting, dust, traffic and vibrations from the blasts shaking my home. It is also affecting my personal life as you are buying out my neighbours and friends and leaving me isolated. Even though you state the noise levels are below government requirements why is it I am left here to live with the interruptions.

My concerns are with the impact of stage 2 are the same as stage 1 . I am affected with stage 1 with humming, clunking, blasting, dust, traffic and vibrations from the blasts shaking my home. It is also affecting my personal life as you are buying out my neighbours and friends and leaving me isolated. Even though you state the noise levels are below government requirements why is it I am left here to live with the interruptions.

There are a few concerns that I have about the submission.
1) There is no reference, other than mapping, of the extensive mining activity, both currently being undertaken and proposed, within the catchment. Nowhere could I see any acknowledgement of cumulative impacts on envoromnent, cultural, ecomomical etc outcomes. This is particularly concerning in relation to water and other water users- ie water quality being put in increased surface flows, groundwater etc. When the possible impact by drainage of water in the spring fed wells is recognised in one part of the assessment process but ignored throught other relevent areas, I find it a skewed, inconsistent document
2) Iconic public areas like the Drip and Corner Gorge do not appear in the document, and I notice that the plans now state that the what I thought was Crown Land now belongs to the mine. Does that mean we will now be precluded from one of our favourite recreational/tourist destinations?
3) Night lights - I think the impact is far greater than the assessment indicates. I am able to notice signigicant increase in night lights from aprox 35km as the crow flies. Nocturnal birds are impacted by the lights, and this is not acknowledged in your assessment

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