Rocky Hill Coal Mine

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.

The Gloucester area is very special to me for its lovely natural beauty and wonderful farm produce. I've visited it many times over the years.

I am very concerned about yet another new mine being proposed for the region.

Allowing an open cut coal mine close to Gloucester and within sight of the scenic Bucketts Way will spoil the visual amenity of the area. The Gloucester economy depends on tourism (approx $30 M annually). There will be an severe impact with a resultant loss of jobs and income generated in the town and local area. The Rocky Hill project is already affecting Gloucester's agriculture having led to the loss of food-producing land, loss of employment and incomes and loss of business for those companies supporting agriculture.

The proposed mine is less than a kilometre from Forbesdale. These residents will carry an unacceptable burden and will suffer from the effects of dust, noise and loss of visual amenity, with risks to their health and also loss of property value. There is no guarantee that Rocky Hill mine would not advance even closer to residential areas leading to even greater impacts.

The impacts from open cut coal mines on heath are well known. A large proportion of Gloucester township (including the hospital and schools) falls within the acknowledged 5km health impact zone of the Rocky Hill mine. The children, the old and the sick will be most at risk..

The Avon River floodplain, and the Manning River water catchment area (which supplies drinking water to over 80,000 people) will also be impacted by the Rocky Hill Mine. After 5 floods in 4 years, with 2 floods occurring in February this year, there is real potential for contamination of the water in the catchment.

If your Government approves this folly, the Rocky Hill coal mine won't be operating in isolation in the Gloucester Valley. The proposed Yancoal expansion at Stratford and the 330 CSG wells which AGL wants to drill in the valley are similarly concerning. Many of the gas wells sought by AGL are also to be placed within the Rocky Hill mine and the Stratford mine area. No other area in NSW has coal and CSG companies fighting over the same piece of land.

It would be reckless and irresponsible if you do not consider the cumulative impacts of mining on the area.
The current State Government's claims to be consultative and supportive of local communities and business are not reflected in many of your actions which only serve to profit large corporations at the expense of local communities and sustainability.

I have not made any reportable political donations during the past two years.

See attached pdf.

See attached pdf.