Port Waratah Coal Services - Terminal 4

The Port waratah coal services Terminal 4 or T4 project is a proposal for a massive new coal terminal in Newcastle, NSW. If approved, T4 will allow an additional 120 million tonnes per annum of coal to be shipped out. This will boost existing coal export capacity by 84%, in what is already the world's biggest coal port.

Impacts on habitat, endangered and threatened species, and migratory birds

- Part of the 4th terminal site is currently National park. The National park lands include critical habitat for migratory shore birds that needs to be protected. National park lands must not be included in the proposed development.

- The 312 ha project site includes 91ha of valuable native vegetation and 24ha of open water habitat. In particular: 18.8 ha of saltmarsh (an endangered ecological community under TSC Act) 28.9ha of mangrove and 27.3 ha of freshwater wetland of which 4 ha are listed as an endangered under the TSC Act.

- Loss of habitat for 23 threatened fauna species including Australasian bittern (Endangered, EBPC Act) and the Green and Golden Bell frog (Vunerable, EBPC Act).

- Loss of habitat and the disruption to an ecologically significant proportion of a population for four migratory shorebird species listed under international conservation conventions. At least 11 species of migratory birds recognised by international treaties rely on the habitat of deep pond and its proximity to the RAMSAR listed wetland.

- Off sets cannot hope to compensate for loss of habit at the site. The proposed off-set site at Ellalong has already been identified as critical for conservation in its own right. It is also approximately 50 km away from Koorigang Island, therefore fails to compensate for the loss of Deep Pond, which provides key foraging and roosting habitat due to it s proximity to RAMSAR listed wetlands in the Hunter estuary.

- Deep Pond is the only freshwater drought refuge in the Lower Hunter Estuary system. It is relied upon by at least 15 species of waterfowl of which 3 are listed as threatened under the TSC Act.

- Due to high value habitat and the protected species dependant on it, plus its key relationship with the nearby RAMSAR listed wetlands, Deep Pond needs to be protected and management coordinated with the ongoing conservation efforts in the Hunter Estuary.

Air Quality
- The environmental assessment downplays the effect the 4th terminal would have on air quality stating "The T4 project is not expected to result in any criterion exceedences on any additional days of the year" . It defies belief that the uncover coal stockpiles for a coal loader of the size of T4 will not increase the amount of coal dust effecting Newcastle suburbs.

- The project does not plan to implement best practice for dust control measurements. Best practice would be not to have any stockpile.

- The EA only considered trains to affect residencies within 20m of the rail line. This is does not represent an adequate assessment of the air quality impact of increased coal transport as a result of the 4th terminal.

- The current guidelines are outdated and fail to account for the findings of ongoing health studies which demonstrate that total suspended particles (coal dust) are of greater detriment to human health than when the guidelines were put in place.

- The precautionary principle should be applied to potential health impacts of the T4 proposal. Approval should be not be allowed until a more conclusive health and air quality study is undertaken for the Newcastle LGA.

Dredging and water pollution

- There is no plan to fully remediate the heavily contaminated T4 site. The T4 proposal will therefore cause the leaching of existing toxic material into groundwater and surrounding surface waters via a `squeezing effect'. Result will be pollution of both the neighbouring (National Park and RAMSAR listed) wetlands and the Hunter River.

- An increase in shipping will negatively impact harbour water quality with sediment disturbance (some of it contaminated), release of bilge water, more antifouling agents, chemicals and oil spills, and dumping of debris. It will also reduce access for other harbour users and increase the risk of introduced species.

- The T4 proposal requires the realignment of the banks of South Arm of the Hunter River and construction of a `turning circle' or `swing basin' to accommodate the world largest ships. The proposal also requires dredging of the South Arm of the river from its natural depth of 2m to 4m to 16.2m with 17.8m deep shipping berths along each bank.

- The dredging will have massive impacts including the removal of aquatic habitats and impacts on estuarine habitats via changes to tidal hydrodynamics and salinity. Also potential of creating stagnant deep holes, altering currents, causing river bed erosion and liberating pollutants which are currently trapped within the bottom sediments.

- The EA fails to deal adequately with the impact of the massive dredging necessary for T4. The approval for South Arm dredging, given by the previous State government, should not be relied on for a significantly different proposal.

Social and economic impacts on Newcastle and Lower Hunter

- There is no additional operational employment associated with the T4 Project

- Loss of other economic activities in the port, like tourism, fishing and other shipping.

- The project would facilitate an increase of at least 41 additional coal trains per day through the suburbs of Maitland and into Newcastle. This Increases congestion on the rail lines, noise and dust.

- Noise and vibration from site operations 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

- Increased traffic congestion through construction period.

- Impacts on commercial fishing are expected from the loss habitat and contamination.


Impacts of increased coal mining in NSW

- The completed project would facilitate the equivalent of at least 15 more large coal mines in the Hunter Valley and Liverpool plains.

- The Costs of more mining to the State include: Green House Gas generation at mines, loss of agricultural lands, blasting, noise, air quality, loss of aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage, visual impacts, loss and pollution of surface water and groundwater, damage to aquatic ecology, flora and fauna loss.

- Research shows the health impacts of the coal industry estimated at $2.6 billion Australia wide. Pollution from coal affects all major body organ systems and contributes to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In the Hunter Valley this impact is all the more prevalent due to the proximity of coal mining, transport and infrastructure to communities. The 4th terminal project would facilitate a massive increase to health impacts in the region, for this alone the negative contribution of the project far outweighs any merits.

- 22 more coal ships visiting Newcastle every week, pushing out other port users and the potential investment of other port industrial, commercial, tourism opportunities.

- The 4th terminal would provide for the equivalent of 15 more large power stations around the world, meaning an extra 288 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year fuelling the global climate crisis.

Overall

- The strategic need for the project does not justify its approval. The current pace of coal mining expansion in the Hunter region is already coming at a cost to the environment and human health that far outweighs the benefit of royalties it provides in return.

- The 4th terminal project depends on further mines and expansion of existing mines that are not guaranteed to occur. The upgrading of PWCS exiting terminals and the new NCIG 3rd terminal (to 211 million tonnes total from 89 million tonnes in 2002) can already accommodate for a large increase in coal exports from Newcastle.

- To approve additional export infrastructure (to 331 million tonnes in total) and destroy the ecological values of the T4 site takes no account of the potential decrease in the commercial viability of coal sales in the future.

I object to the building of T4 on the grounds of it being environmentally unsustainable and posing a significant threat to the health and well being of our community.

I thoroughly object to the construction of the T4 coal loader, and believe that it will have an extremely negative and destructive effect on the environment and quality of life in the Newcastle area.

The proposed 4th Coal terminal for Newcastle should not be approved.

- The strategic need for the project has not been justified and does not take into account the potential decrease in the commercial viability of coal sales in the future with the advent of carbon pricing.
- The 4th terminal project depends on new coal mines and expansion of existing mines that have not yet been approved or have a social license.
- The development will come at a cost to the environment and human health that outweighs questionable and short term economic benefits.
- An additional 22 more coal ships visiting Newcastle every week is unacceptable and will be to the detriment of other port users and the potential investment in more sustainable commercial and tourism opportunities in Newcastle.
- The project would facilitate an increase of around 41 coal trains per day through the suburbs of Maitland and into Newcastle, increasing congestion on the rail lines, noise and dust.
- There needs to be an independent health and air quality studies of the impact of the proposal and the associated expansion of the coal industry on the people of the Newcastle LGA and the broader Hunter Valley. Current guidelines for air quality are outdated and fail to account for the findings of up to date health studies.
- The proposed additional export infrastructure will destroy the ecological values of this wetland site; the habitat of endangered and threatened species and migratory birds plus encroach on National Park.
- There would be unacceptable impacts on commercial fishing from the loss habitat and contamination
- The precautionary principle should be applied to the T4 proposal

Newcastle does not want or need a 4th Coal Terminal

I strongly oppose the T4 terminal due to it destroying valuable wetlands, mangroves, salt marsh, and migratory shorebird habitat. I was not allowed to build a house due to DoP refusing on the basis that filling in land would destroy these.
It appears there are different rules for private citizens and mining companies.

I object to this proposal as it fails to adqeuatly address acute ad chronic health issues associated with the handling and transport of coal. Additionally the damage to be caused to shoreline wetlands threatens animal and plant habitat that is vital to the health of downstream watercourses.
The proposal also fails to address any diversification of industry in the lower Hunter leaving the Hunter more susceptible to economic collapse through given a fall in coal prices.

Having lived with my family including small children, in the Throsby Creek suburbs for 5 years after years of both living abroad and living in rural NSW, I feel I can reasonably say that Newcastle is dusty enough!

I believe that the health of people and their environment should always be put before profit.

Please consider saying no to T4 on my behalf.

Sincerely,
Kate (Maryville)
and sons, Jules (at Tighes Hill Public School)
& Louis (at Broadmeadow Preschoo)l.

I object to this application on the following grounds:

1. Newcastle is over-invested in coal and should be diversifying its economy, not expanding coal further, for the reasons set out in 4. below.

2. North Kooragang is a wetlands National Park. The proposed development, including incursion of massive in bulk carriers into new northerly shipping channels would impinge adversely on the ecosystem and viability of the wetlands, and undermine the objectives for establishing the Park.

3. Independent local health experts are of the opinion that air pollution resulting from this development would constitute a cumulative health hazard to the surrounding population.

4. Australia should not be accelerating coal exports. The rush to export commodities is destroying other sectors of the economy and will create devastation when the resource bubble bursts. Over-reliance on mining exports is creating a two-speed economy that is causing social problems, by damaging our balance of trade and causing inflation of the $AUD.
The boom in coal - its current high demand and price - is likely short term owing to many factors. In particular the need and concern to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for CO2 reduction worldwide is likely to impact heavily on demand for coal in the future. Also commodity prices in general are typically volatile, with heavy dependence making us vulnerable to economic and social conditions overseas and threatening our national economic security.

I am a resident of Mayfield in the Newcastle Local Government Area. I strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons:

- Locally, the fourth coal terminal project would see 41 more coal trains through Newcastle and Maitland every day, increasing dust related health problems such as asthma

- The Fourth Coal Terminal would facilitate many more large coal mines in the Hunter and Liverpool Plains which threaten food and water security by destroying prime agricultural land, irreversibly damaging ground water systems and polluting waterways

- The proposal carries the risk of mobilising toxic contaminants on Kooragang Island, the former BHP Steelworks site, and in the South Arm of the Hunter River, and too little is known about the risks to ensure the communities of Newcastle will be protected from toxic accidents, seepage and accidents

- The coal exported would provide the capacity to feed at least 15 more large power stations around the world emitting 288 million tonnes of carbon pollution each year and fuelling global climate change

- This project would damage internationally important wetlands on Kooragang Island that provide critical habitat for protected migratory bird species and nationally threatened species including the Green and Golden Bell Frog and the Australasian Bittern

- An area within the site is currently owned by National Parks, and provides irreplaceable habitat for migratory shore birds. The proposal will mean loss of habitat and disruption to an ecologically significant proportion of a population of four migratory shorebird species listed under international conservation conventions

- At least 11 species of migratory birds recognised by international treaties rely on the habitat at "Deep Pond" and its proximity to the Hunter estuary Ramsar site. Most of Deep Pond, the only freshwater refuge in the Hunter estuary, would be lost to this project

- The Environmental Assessment fails to meet the requirements set out by both the State and Federal agencies

- After construction, the coal terminal is likely to result in the loss of other economic activities in the port, such as tourism and fishing

Please no more pollution in Newcastle. We're trying to thrive and develop but finding it very hard with filthy infrastructure all around. What does it teach our children about our attempts to secure our planet for their future?

The proposed expansion of coal export infrastructure in Terminal 4 is a breach of environmental and social legislation on many levels.

It is in breach of the Newcastle City Council Local Environment Plan and the Newcastle City Council Development Control Plan. It ignores the sanctity of the National Park Legislation as it will sit squarely on an extremely sensitive National Park and the only fresh water refuge in the Hunter estuary - Deep Pond - one that is home to many migratory and endangered birds including the Australasian Bittern. It ignores legislation established to protect critically endangered wildlife such as the Green and Golden Bell Frog. it is deaf to the evidence that the expansion of coal mining and infrastructure will increase negative health impacts on the residents along the coal corridor - the evidence of these impacts is undeniable. It is blind to the Environmental legislation protecting air and water quality - forging forward to expand a highly polluting industry in defiance of these laws.

We are digging an increasing sized hold by allowing the big miners to have their way. We need to see the truth on behalf of the public - not make decisions based on what the public has been 'led' to believe.

These questions MUST be considered:-

1. Why give a polluting industry unfettered power to cause water course destruction, landscape destruction, health degradation, road destruction, community lifestyle destruction - especially when it is considered that much of the profit is owned by foreign companies and eventually ends up overseas.

2. Why give a polluting industry unfettered power to grow at all costs which is the very essence of T4?

3. Coal minings unfettered growth moves our economy in the wrong direction and without any concerted effort to change we will be trapped as a country at the end of a dead end road. Australia used to be "the clever country" - but the continued expansion of coal at an unprecedented rate - shows we are no longer 'clever' we are just plain greedy. T4 represents an industry hell bent on digging up as much of Australian mineral resources as possible, as quickly as possible, while coal is still a saleable commodity - to increase the wealth of the coal companies. A "clever" country would be looking to the next generation of Australians and saying -"how can we develop sustainable industries and a sustainable environment which will build a healthy environment and community". Expanding coal now will destroy all possibility of this happening.

4. The world IS starting to re-think coal even now. China is implementing a cost on carbon, the USA is not building new coal power stations due to the necessary additional costs of the required safety/health/environmental standards, and many other countries are building renewable energy systems. Australia needs to recognise that we must invest in sustainable energy systems. If we continue to rape our prime agricultural land and destroy the communities and environment where coal is mined - where will this leave Australia in the years to come?

5. Community Health. Empirical evidence shows that coal mining and its resultant infrastructure - is causing many negative health impacts on the surrounding communities. Why would a government choose to approve an expansion to an industry which clearly can not negate these impacts on human health?

Runaway Climate Change is happening. Australia has and continues to be a key player on this stage. While it is argued that Australia only produces per capita a tiny fraction of the worlds carbon dioxide - we export a HUGE amount in our coal!!! Climate change will destroy so many of the beautiful and irreplaceable environments on this planet - the Great Barrier Reef, Amazon Rainforest, Kakadu and so many more. It will destroy the homes of many of the worlds poorest people and make life threatening weather events far more frequent. It will change life on this planet as we know it forever. Is the short term gain of coal expansion really worth this risk?

The proponent argues it will expand employment opportunities. T4 is not about jobs. There are more jobs in the renewable energy industries than in coal mining and coal export industries.

T4 and the coal industry expansion also causes great pressure on our National economy. Sure - it can be argued that it delivers income to our governments for essential infrastructure and social programs but at what cost? Mining exports - including and largely because of coal - are driving up the value of the Australian dollar. This pressure is causing enormous pressure on other Australian industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. These industries also employ thousands of people and return dividends to the economy. Why should ONE industry - mining - be allowed to expand so dramatically at the expense of others?

The T4 proposal which represents the rapid expansion of coal mining in Australia is putting enormous pressure on the environment, agricultural production, community health, water and air quality, biodiversity, the Australian economy, community stability and balanced employment. It directly infringes numerous Federal and State laws and ignores the ethical and moral perspectives to nurture the environment and safeguard the health of the community. T4 should NOT be approved. Approval of this project would be clear evidence of a greedy government more concerned about quick and easy revenue . It would reveal that the politicians do not have the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the big mining companies who seem to have so much power in the halls of government.

The evidence in the case to not approve T4 FAR outweighs the weak and greedy case for approval. Show some courage and do the right thing for the environment and people of Australia. DO NOT APPROVE T4!

We need to keep coal underground where it has been naturally sequestered, not keep expanding the digging; putting farmer's and residents in the hunter at economical and significant health risk

I am very concerned about the negative health effects from the 4th coal loader should it go ahead.
There is already a huge amount of pollution and noise from existing industrial activities including power stations, coal mining and coal transport in the Hunter Region.
Suburbs near the rail line all the way up the valley will be greatly affected by even more dust and noise. Air pollution's harm to human health is well documented, leading to a range of illnesses and reduction in life expectancy. The National Pollution Inventory for 2010-2011 shows that the Hunter Region already has a disproportional share of NSW's air pollution, especially PM10s and SO2. Coal dust from the trains, the loader and the extra mines needed to supply the loader will bring many toxic substances into the air. There will also be adverse health effects on people from the noise of the trains, and this loader will mean many thousands more coal train passes per year near residential areas.
The proposal as it currently stands does not adequately address these problems, and it should be rejected on these grounds alone.

We consider this project will result in increased coal dust in our community. It will lead to increased noise from coal trains and increased trucks on the road.
We feel we are already suffering environmental contamination from industry and this will add to it.
we have concerns for ourselves, our child who attends a local school and for the environment and community in general.
There are few measures taken to improve the well being of the community despite the huge profits that are being made.
The lack of safe bike paths to newcastle due to the train line (and narrow bridges over it) mean that we are already penalised by the priority given to the export of coal. Enough is Enough. If the t4 goes ahead then all coal should be moved out of the mayfield/carrington/ tighes hill area - not added to.

I object to the expansion of coal exports for the following reasons:
- My home where I live with my wife and 2 small children is already polluted with coal dust , I don't want anymore.
- I am concerned about the the impact on the adjacent wetland.
- I am concerned about the effect on the environment from carbon emissions.
- The effect of mining on the Hunter Valley is disgraceful in that it show little regard for the land and residents.

1. A fourth coal export terminal in Newcastle cannot be justified
2. Port capacity has already been increased to 211 million tonnes per annum (mtpa)
3. The proposal wants to increase coal export capacity by a further 120mtpa to 331mtpa. This is unsustainable.
4. The Upper Hunter environment and rural community cannot support or survive an increase in coal production of this scale
5. The Hunter cannot afford to lose any more farmland, groundwater or biodiversity
6. If the Strategic Regional Land Use Plans for Upper Hunter and New England North West are to be effective in preventing land use conflict, this large proposed expansion will not occur
7. The Upper Hunter Strategic Land Use Plan predicted that export demand through Newcastle would stabilize at about 216 mtpa by 2015 which is close to current approved capacity - an additional 120 mtpa capacity is not justified
8. The proposal will require an additional 41 trains per day through the Hunter Valley Coal Chain. This will cause a cumulative impact of noise and dust through the major towns and suburbs along the rail line
9. The proposal will further destroy critical habitat for migratory birds and threatened species in the Hunter estuary
10. The proposal and expanded coal mines needed to supply it will put additional pressure on the health of the Hunter River, the health of the Hunter people and the future viability of the Hunter Valley.

Locally, the fourth coal terminal project would see 41 more coal trains through Newcastle and Maitland every day, increasing dust related health problems such as asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Pollution from coal affects all major body organ
systems and contributes to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.
The Fourth Coal Terminal would facilitate many more large coal mines (the equivalent of at least 15 'mega-pits') in the Hunter and Liverpool Plains, which will threaten food and water security by destroying prime agricultural land, irreversibly damaging ground water systems and polluting waterways.
The proposal also carries the risk of mobilising toxic contaminants on Kooragang Island (the former BHP Steelworks site) and in the South Arm of the Hunter River. Too little is known about the risks to ensure the communities of Newcastle will be protected from toxic accidents, seepage and accidents. There is no plan to fully remediate the site.
The coal exported would provide the capacity to feed at least 15 more large power stations around the world emitting 288 million tones of carbon pollution each year and fuelling climate change.
This project would damage internationally important wetlands that provide critical habitat for protected migratory bird species and nationally threatened species including the Green and Golden Bell Frog and the Australasian Bittern.
An area within the site is currently owned by the National Parks service, and provides irreplaceable habitat for migratory shore birds. The proposal will mean loss of habitat and disruption to an ecologically significant proportion of a population of four migratory shorebird species listed under international conservation conventions.
At least 11 species of migratory birds recognised by international treaties rely on the habitat at "Deep Pond" and its
proximity to the Hunter estuary Ramsar site. Deep Pond is the only freshwater refuge in the Hunter estuary, yet a significant area of Deep Pond, would be lost to this project.
The Environmental Assessment fails to meet the requirements set out by both the State and Federal agencies, and the proposal represents an unacceptable risk to the Australasian Bittern.
After construction, the coal terminal will provide no additional employment. Rather, it is likely to result in the loss of other economic activities in the port, such as tourism, fishing and other shipping.
If you would like to get involved in the campaign to stop

I am frankly disgusted by the proposed Port Waratah Coal Services Terminal 4 development in Newcastle (10_0215). The T4 proposal must not be approved due to significant and unacceptable associated impacts as detailed below.


LOCAL ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS
The proposed development would result in loss of habitat for 23 threatened species of fauna, including the Green and Golden Bell frog and the Australasian Bittern. It would also result in disruption to an ecologically significant proportion of the population of four migratory shorebirds listed under international conservation conventions. At least 11 species of migratory birds recognised by international treaties and 15 species of waterfowl (three of which are listed as threatened under the TSC Act) rely on the habitat of Deep Pond and its proximity to the RAMSAR listed wetland. Deep Pond is in fact the only freshwater drought refuge in the Lower Hunter Estuary system. Deep Pond should be protected, and its management should be coordinated with the ongoing conservation efforts in the Hunter Estuary. An area of the development would take place on land previously gazetted as National Park. This area should not be part of the proposed development. Furthermore, the project site includes 18.8ha of Saltmarsh (an endangered ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act), 28.9ha of mangrove and 27.3ha of freshwater wetland, 4ha of which are listed as an endangered community under the TSC Act. Offsets cannot compensate for the loss of habitat at the project site. The proposed offset site at Ellalong has been identified as critical for conservation in its own right. Furthermore, the offset site is 50km away from Kooragang Island, which is too far away to provide the ecological function of Deep Pond. Deep Pond provides key foraging and roosting habitat due to its proximity to the RAMSAR listed wetlands in the Hunter Estuary.

IMPACTS ON AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH
The Environmental Assessment downplays the impact of the project on air quality. The EA only considers the impact of increased coal train movements on residencies within 20m of the rail line. However, the impacts of coal dust are likely to extend far beyond these boundaries. More uncovered coal stockpiles will increase the amount of coal dust already affecting Newcastle suburbs. The precautionary principle should be applied to potential health impacts of the T4 project. Approval for the project should not be given until a comprehensive health and air quality study has been conducted across the Newcastle LGA. The health impacts of the coal industry are estimated to be around $2.6 billion across Australia. Pollution from coal affects all major body organ systems and contributes to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The 4th terminal project would increase negative health impacts in the Hunter region. For this reason alone, the project should not be approved.


DREDGING AND WATER CONTAMINATION
There is no plan to fully remediate the heavily contaminated T4 site. The T4 proposal could therefore cause the leaching of existing toxic material into groundwater and surrounding surface waters via a `squeezing effect'. The result will be pollution of both the neighbouring (National Park and RAMSAR listed) wetlands and the Hunter River. The dredging will have massive impacts including the removal of aquatic habitats and impacts on estuarine habitats via changes to tidal hydrodynamics and salinity. Also, it has the potential of creating stagnant deep holes, altering currents, causing riverbed erosion and releasing pollutants that are currently trapped within the bottom sediments. A study should be conducted to investigate this issue. An increase in shipping will negatively impact harbour water quality with sediment disturbance (some of it contaminated), release of bilge water, more antifouling agents, chemicals and oil spills, and dumping of debris. It will also increase the risk of introduced species. The T4 proposal requires the realignment of the banks of the South Arm of the Hunter River and construction of a `swing basin'. The proposal also requires dredging of the South Arm of the river from its natural depth of 2-4m to 16.2m with 17.8m deep shipping berths along each bank. The area that will be dredged has changed significantly after the State Government gave the dredging approval. PWCS should apply for a new license for dredging, given that the proposal for dredging has changed significantly.

LOCAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS
After construction, the T4 proposal will provide no additional long-term employment. Rather, the 22 extra coal ships per week that the T4 project will bring is likely to push out other economic activities in the port, such as tourism, fishing and other exports. It is also likely to impact commercial fishing due to the loss of fish habitat and increased contamination from dredging. T4 would facilitate an increase of at least 41 additional coal trains per day through the suburbs of Maitland and into Newcastle. This would increase congestion on the rail lines as well as increasing noise and dust. During the construction period, traffic congestion on roads is also likely to occur. The T4 project would also increase noise, light and dust pollution (mentioned in `Air Quality' above). Noise, vibrations and light pollution from on-site operations will occur 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. IMPACTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND INCREASED MINING The T4 project would facilitate the development of at least 15 more large coalmines in the Hunter Valley and Liverpool plains. The EA should consider the cumulative social and environmental impacts of these mines. The costs of more mining to the State include greenhouse gas generation, loss of agricultural lands, blasting, noise, air quality, loss of aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage, visual impacts, loss and pollution of surface water and groundwater, damage to aquatic ecology, flora and fauna loss. T4 would provide coal for the equivalent of 15 more large power stations around the world, generating an extra 288 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and fuelling the global climate crisis. Consideration of the impact of the `Scope 3' downstream emissions of coal exported via the T4 project should be included in the Environmental Assessment.

Lamentably many similar conserns ought to have disqualified the T3 development before this one, as outlined in a submission I lodged objecting to that preceeding project. T4 carries forward the same rapacious development of the coal mining industry, heedless of the deeper and wider costs to communities here and abroad.

I fear this exercise here may be just one more deplorable instance of powerful vested interests corrupting and perverting our political and planning processes. Not for nothing does the mining industry boast it always gets its way.

Please stand for something better and more balanced.

Sincerely,
Shaku Jo'on Gregg Heathcote,
(Buddhist priest and chaplain at the University of Newcastle)

I am writing as a concerned resident, parent and citizen. The Newcastle Port has doubled its export capacity over a period of less than ten years, with further, yet to be built upgrades already approved.
The Hunter is already the Australian region with the highest occurrence of asthma in children, including two of my own, with both parents not sufferers of asthma. While I acknowledge that the T4 proposal will have the stockpiles located on Kooragang Island, as this is a further massive increase in capacity, it will lead inevitably to an increase in the coal dust pollution in residential areas.
The construction of the T4 should only be allowed to proceed if the closest terminal to the residential areas of Mayfield, Tighes Hill and Carrington, the Carrington terminal, will get closed as a result of building the T4. This would compensate the residential areas that are most impacted by the coal port of Newcastle and counteract the increase in dust levels caused by the further increase in stockpile, handling and transport of coal.
The Lower Hunter is further an area that is heavily threatened by rising sea levels and severe weather events caused by man made climate change. It is perverse that we should facilitate by way of increasing the capacity of the already largest coal port in world the speed of our own demise without adequate safeguards and without a plan B and without any benefits to the affected community.

This is a submission objecting to the proposed Port waratah coal services Terminal 4 development in Newcastle (10_0215). I believe that this proposal must not be approved.
The effects of this proposal, on the social and natural environment in the Hunter Region are of great concern and are unacceptable. Of concern are the impacts of increased dust and coal train movements to local communities and the destruction of threatened species habitat and migratory wader's habitats.
This terminal will be supporting the massive expansion of coal mining projects in the Hunter region and beyond. The cumulative impacts on the social and natural environment from this proposal and associated mining expansion projects have not been fully assessed.
The establishment of the Port waratah coal services Terminal 4 development in Newcastle (10_0215) indicates the Australian Government's lack of commitment in leading Australia to a carbon reduced and clean energy future.
The proposed Port waratah coal services Terminal 4 development in Newcastle (10_0215) must not be approved.

Please note: I have made no politically aligned donations

Yours Sincerely,

Sue Bower