Northern Coal Services Project

I write this submission in support of the EIS - SSD-5145 for the Northern Coal Logistics Project.
Northern Coal Services provides jobs to the local community of Lake Macquarie and also purchases goods and services from surrounding businesses in and around Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
The approval of this application could ensure that hundreds of jobs will be created in the near future on the site, and due to the commitment to the community, it will ensure that contracting companies, suppliers and even the local fish and chip shop is supported as well.
Northern Coal Services is remote from the general public. The size of the site is quiet contained compared to the perception of a typical mine site. It has impemented high class and therefore expensive environmental solutions around the site. All of which gives the individuals on the site great pride in knowing that they are doing the best for the community and the environment now and into the future. Northern Coal Services distributes coal to the Lake Macquarie power stations, of which a high percentage of NSW's power is generated from.
To ensure that all of this can be continued into the future, it is very important to support this EIS.

As an employee of Centennial Coal I rely on this approval to ensure my future employment in the local area. All of my wages are spend in the local community.

I also believe Centennial Coal has worked well within the community and will continue to do so.

Centennial Coal contributes a lot to the local community, i.e. by way of sponsorships, employment (not only for the employees of the company but also provides jobs to the local suppliers and businesses), supplies a lot of coal for electricity generation in New South Wales and is very environmentally aware. A lot of people in the local community do not even know that there are coal mines operating in their area.

If this project is not approved to go ahead then it will jeopardise employment opportunities in the short term and also in the future years to come and this will have an enormous impact on the local community and businesses as well.

I support this project.

I have worked at Elcom, Power Coal, which is now known as Centennial Coal for 38 years.

It is a very good company to work for. Without this job my family wouldn't be able to maintain the way of life that we now enjoy.

If I lost my job I wouldn't have disposable income to spend in the local community.

The company is a big supporter and a big employer for the community by sponsorship sporting and community groups and employing approximately 500 people at the moment with the potential to increase to 1000.

The company also use local contracting companies for extra labour and expertise.

The company spends a lot of money on protecting the environment, e.g. the building of Centennial Northern Coal Services Clean Water Plant, installation of water catchment systems and dams, regeneration of vegetation and also work with the community to minmise the impact of the mine and coal processing plant.

I have been working at Newstan Colliery for the past 35 years and I am currently employed by Centennial Northern Coal Services.

My future employment prospects will be dramatically influenced by the approval of this Northern Coal Logistics Project.

Obviously my future employment will have a flow on effect to my family and our spending habits in the community.

Consequently I strongly endorse the approval of this project

Hi my name is Ben, I'm a fourth generation Coal miner and started in the coal industry when I was 15.

During the last 25 years I have been employed by 8 different coal companies throughout the State of NSW.
During this time I have found Centennial Coal the most professional and environmentally focused company to work for.

Centennial's commitment regarding the OH&S of their employee's and local community is second to none.
Centennial's commitment to monitor and manage environmental impact on all their operations is absolutely commendable, again I believe through my experiences Centennial set the standard Australia wide.

Centennial offers safe stable employment too many of my friends and family, they also support many different events and activities throughout the State effecting so many people and families.

I proudly write in support of the application for the Northern Coal Services division.

I have total confidence in Centennial's ability to operate well within the licence agreement if given the opportunity and would feel extremely proud to be part of the Northern Coal Projects team.

I support this project because it will continue and increase the number of people employeed in the local community.
With the number of people employeed in the community, the will then spend their earnings in the local community, which will only serve to help local small business grow, thus keeping more people employeed in the local community.
Centennial Coal have supported a number of local sporting groups which helps build awareness of the company. If this project is rejected it put all this in doubt of continuing.
Please allow this to go through to allow the local community to grow due to the continued employement in the local area.

I support Centennial Northern Coal Logistics Project as I am employed by Northern Coal Service at the Coal Preparation Plant and rely on my employment to support my family of five. My wage and time all go back into the community. I look forward to seeing my children grow up with a positive future with my support and employment.

To Whom it may concern
I would like to submit my support for the above project. I've been following the down turn of the mine industry lately and I strongly believe it has a lot to do with the way retail (my line of work) is functioning as well as many other industries. I have worked in the retail field in the hunter area for a lot of years and I have seen a huge reflection lately in peoples spending with the lay off and declined projects within mining. This project going ahead would have such a greater outcome than just employing more bodies with the mine, it means more work for contractors, more money to spend within the local economy, more money spent on housing and within the rental market and a more stable environment for families. I also feel people tend to over look the extremely strict environmental stipulations the mines must adhere to , they do more to protect our environment and local Eco system than a lot of others. The mine and its employees have a strong affinity with local charity events and sporting groups, giving local communities more opportunities.
Everyone always has plenty to say when it's in a negative light but I really felt some support needed to be lent to this project and what it will achieve. You rarely hear anything in the media about Northern Coal Services which means they must be getting it right, I would hate for the next story everyone does hear in the news to be of more closures and more loss of employment because projects weren't given the green light .
I want there to be prospects in the local area not just in mining but in all employment areas for my children in the future and the approval of projects like this one have such a huge ripple effect in determining this.
Thank you for taking the time

I work in the coal industry and have grown up in this area and have family and friends who reside around this area. I have worked for Centennial Coal for along time as a contractor and have found to be a responsible and community conscious company.
I believe that it is important to the coal industry and the community that this project is approved as there are strong economic and social benefits, including continuing work for Centeenials workforce and for contractors and support for local businesses and community groups.

I support the project

I am an employee of Centennial Coal. I have 6 children and a large mortgage.I spend my salary at local businesses every day.
I need the job security that approval of the Northern Coal Logistics Project can provide.
Centennial's Northern Coal Logistics along with its northern mines (Mandalong, Newstan and Myuna) will continue to support a local workforce of over 500 employees and potentially over 1,000 when/if Newstan re-opens.

The Nothern Coal Services - Northern Coal Logistics Project is vitally important to the region around Newcastle and Lake Maquarie. Employment opportunities are currently under stress in many sectors but acceptance of this project would be a shot in the arm for local people and businesses alike.

The current 500 or so employees of Centennial are reliant upon the continued operation of the company as are the local businesses and with time the number of persons employed by Centennial may increase, which would have positive flow on effects locally and also in the bigger picture.

Centennial are good corporate citizens, they are big supporters of local charities, sporting teams and community events.

Environmentally Centennial have a good track record and have shown willingness to co-operate with neighbourhood groups.

Centennial have also shown themselves to be reliable suppliers of coal to our power generating companies.

This project needs to be given the go ahead for the good of employees, local community and the Hunter Region.

* We have worked with Centennial Coal for a number of years and look forward to a continued relationship in the future
* The slow down in construction in the Valley has had an effect on the economy of the Valley
* The Valley has few construction projects in the pipeline.
* This development application is therefore economically important
* The additional capacity as a result of the development will use primarily existing infrastructure (conveyor, private haul roads) or rail, and therefore will not pose additional costs in road maintenance
* Centennial is a major factor in the West lakes community and supports the local community in a variety of fashions
* We support the proposal

this project will provide Centennial the flexability to manage its operations to supply NSW power generators, the export market and secure employment in an industry that is being throttled by the NSW planning system

I am currently employed in the coal mining industry and have been for 34 years. During this time my wages have contributed a considerable amount in taxes to both Federal and State coffers. The remainder of my earnings have been predominantly expended in my local area . I know from fact that Centennial Coal contributes both in financial and community assistance to this area and the state. This development is paramount to the economical survival of both the company, the current employees and their families along with the future employees as these mine and their support companies are an integral part of the state of NSW. Power generation at reasonable rates along with quality coal and continuity of supply form part of this development application. Please consider this development favourably as the benefits far outweigh any deficits for the future of NSW and it's occupants.

I support Centennial Coal Development Proposal in my view it is important that their current workforce of over 500 employees are retained but also new job vacancies are created, I am aware this company provide financial assistance to local community groups, using a local coal resource for power generation ensures a reliable electricity supply. I believe Centennial Coal track record make them a good corporate citizen

I have been employed in the coal mining industry for the majority of my working life. The coal mining industry has provided me with a rewarding career and an income to support my family.

We have lived in the local area all our lives and have supported local businesses, community and sporting groups.

My future employment and therefore the welfare of my family may depend on this project.

The coal mining industry has provided me and family with a stable income.

We have 3 children and 7 grandchildren who are continuing to enjoy the benefits from the local coal industry.

I have a son and son-in law employed directly in the coal industry and I am grateful for the opportunities provided by the industry.

Our family's future prosperity may depend on this project.

To whom it may concern,
I would like to express my support for the Northern Coal Services - Northern Coal Logistics Project.
I started working for Centennial Coal in 2012 having the opportunity to do an Administrative traineeship.
My partner and i purchased a house locally in Lake Macquarie in 2012. Centennial Coal provided the opportunity for me to study and work. Since completing the traineeship in 2013 i have been kept on as a casual for Centennial. Although as most people in this industry can appreciate, we rely on the approval of projects to keep mines open and stay in a job.
As i live locally, I always speak proudly to work for Centennial and if this project was to be approved there would be potentially providing a further 500 jobs in our community.
Each of those spending their earnings back into the local economy.
I'm a proud community member and Centennial has provided me the opportunity to be apart of Meals on Wheels in work time & held many charities events at work; Biggest Morning Tea, Red Nose Day & the PCYC just to name a few this year.
I think it's often looked past what a great support and contributions the coal industry provides to our community.