Rocky Hill Coal Mine

I support the development of the Rocky Hill Coal project. I have been to Gloucester many time and i have read the amended EIS and believe the use of the existing facilities at the Stratford mine are a sensible compromise.

I work for a company that supplies and services industrial equipment that is used on mines and industrial sites. If the Rocky Hill project proceeds, the company that employs me will provide equipment to the mining and processing operations and I will need to visit Gloucester on a regular basis to service our equipment and provide technical backup. Each visit will consist of 1-3 days and I will need accommodation and meals whilst in Gloucester. If Rocky Hill does not proceed, I will have no need to come to Gloucester and hence the town and district will miss out on that expenditure.
In the future, I would be prepared to relocate to Gloucester with my family.
I support the approval and development of the Rocky Hill mine.

Dear Sir,
I strongly oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine and the Stratford Coal modification Application No. SSD-4966 MOD 1 for the following reasons:
- It is inappropriate to develop an open cut mine in such close proximity to the town of Gloucester
- The impact on the community will be substantial
- The development will have a major negative impact on tourism which is the major industry that sustains the town
- The economic benefits of a 20 year coal mine will not offset the economic loss from lost tourism which may well be permanent
- The economic benefits from the coal mine flow to a relatively small number of people while benefits from tourism benefit a much larger section of the community
- The viability of the coal mine is entirely dependent on the future price of coal - which is likely to decline in the long term as the world becomes less dependent on fossil fuels. Projected economic benefits may well not be realised
- Continuing to extract coal as a fuel source contributes to climate warming which is likely to have widespread and severe consequences which will dwarf the short term economic benefits of the coal mine.
You sincerely
Dr Kevin Sweeney

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine at Gloucester, the beautiful gateway to the heritage listed Barrington Tops. With all the rich farming country and natural beauty in the Gloucester region it would be totally criminal to start a new mine in this area. Please please please don't approve this request.

While the proposed coal mine has economic advantages to the mining proponents, the negative externalities to the residents of Gloucestor are diabolical and unacceptable. The negative effects upon the health of the community, the tourism trade and the environment will be an atrocity which will continue to affect many future generations.

The proposed mine is way too close to residential areas.
The proposed pits are only 900m from the Forbesdale residential estate, and barely 3km from Gloucester township. The impacts from noise and air pollution, blasting, loss of amenity and lifestyle on surrounding residents are simply unacceptable, and in no way justified by the dubious economic arguments put forward by mine proponents.
Risk of water contamination is high.
The proposed mine is on the Avon River floodplain and in the catchment area of the Manning River, which supplies drinking water to over 80,000 people. The Avon River has flooded five times in four years, with two floods occurring in 2013. There is definite potential for contamination of the water in the catchment.
The health impacts are far too great.
Gloucester's hospital, its schools, and almost all of its residents are within 5km from the proposed coal pits. Particulate pollution from open-cut mining is known to lead to reduced respiratory health and increased death rates in surrounding communities. It is completely unfair and unjustified to expose the population of Gloucester to these health impacts.
The mine threatens Gloucester's $50 million tourism industry.
Gloucester is a unique and beautiful town on the edge of the Barrington wilderness, and it has a thriving nature-based tourism industry. Open-cut coal mining is completely incompatible with this important local industry, which must be protected.
So-called 'commitments' to reduce mining impacts are not trusted.
The community has no reason to trust either commitments from the mining company made during its application, nor conditions imposed by the Planning Department if approval is given. We have seen elsewhere in Gloucester and the Hunter Valley that these conditions can be changed later, and usually are. Conditions regarding mine rehabilitation, night-time work hours, noise, blasting and dust, and even the footprint of the mine, are untrusted. It is known, for example, that there are plans for a 'Stage 2' of the coal mine. The only acceptable outcome for the Rocky Hill application is to reject it outright.

This is a ridiculous impost and threat to the local Gloucester community to have mining located so close to the town and residential communities. No good can come from this.

We should be moving away from coal, not opening up new mines. Use the money to stimulate a green energy industry instead.

As well as the obvious and planet-killing effects of fossil fuels, the idea of opening a mine so close to residential properties and the catchment area for drinking water is so poorly thought out it makes me wonder who came up with this idea.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine!
I stongly believe that the proposed coal mine is not in the best interest of our community. My opposition to this project is based on: health reasons - in particular noise and dust pollution; concern about the environmental impacts; repurcussions for our tourism and agricultural industries; the visual eyesore it will create which will change our beautiful landscape forever. Our family home is located on the eastern side of town particularly close to the proposed mining site. This close proximity is a major concern for the above reasons and also how this will affect the value of our home.

CLARE FREW
4 CORBETT CLOSE
GLOUCESTER
NSW 2422

Personal info for publication Yes
Date: 22/9/16

Director - Resource Assessments
Planning Services
Department of Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Submission for the Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD -5156 Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD-4966 MOD1


Dear Sir

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine Modifications on the following grounds.

If the proposed mine goes ahead then the scenic beauty of the Gloucester valley will be irreparably damaged. This will lead to a dramatic drop in tourist numbers. Claims of financial benefit to the town will be lost by the decrease in visitors and the loss of jobs in tourism.

The Gloucester area is a regionally significant playground for Sydney and Newcastle residents who come to enjoy the outdoor experiences that are on offer in the beautiful valley and the Barrington Tops for which Gloucester is the base.

Gloucester's clean, green image needs to thrive and grow. We want industries that enhance the rural area and promote our claim to fame of being the gateway to the Barrington Tops World Heritage area.

Yours sincerely
Clare Frew

I have not made a reportable political donation

LINDA LOWTON
657 Bucketts Road,
Gloucester 2422

22 September 2016

Delete my personal information before publication? No

To The Director - Resource Assessments
Planning Services
Department of Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156
Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD1

Dear Sir/Madam

I strongly oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds:

1. Impact of this proposed mine on my Family and me
My family and I bought our property in 1978 at which time there was no mining in the Gloucester Valley. My parents have lived here since 1982 and have enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle, clean air and water. I have also lived here permanently for several years. As an asthma sufferer, I dread breathing coal dust and having our tank water supply contaminated by coal dust particles. I am told this is highly likely as this happens at Stratford and surrounds.
I also believe that this mine will have an adverse impact on property values in the entire Valley and make them almost unsaleable, thus prohibiting owners moving to a clean area. This aspect of the proposed mine is causing considerable stress to me and many other people in the area.

2. Perceived Bias at Council level for Submission
Following the recent Council amalgamations, I was most distressed to learn that the State Government had appointed as administrator a person with strong mining connections who I believe will not represent the concerns of the majority of the local constituents in any submission made by the newly appointed Council. I believe this appointment smacks of being in the interests of the State and the coal Company rather than of the people.

3. Predicted Royalties and Future of Coal
Rocky Hill Project website has predicted royalties to the State Government of $200m, $150m to the Commonwealth Government and another $5.6m for Council rates over the life of the mine, i.e. 21 years. This seems to me a paltry amount in exchange for the desecration of our beautiful valley and a way of life lost for many of us. As is happening with the coal mines in the Hunter Valley, I doubt very much whether the mine will ever be rehabilitated. It appears to me that Gloucester is being sacrificed for the greedy gain of a largely foreign owned resources Company who, I believe, will not care about what happens when they eventually finish mining.
I believe that coal is on the decline in most developed countries around the world with sustainable energy production on the rise in many places. It seems horrific to me that this Company is keen to start this mine for a product which I think is outdated.

4. Proximity to residential areas
The mine is proposed only 900metres from the residential area of Forbesdale. These residents will carry an unacceptable burden and will be impacted by dust, noise and loss of amenity, resulting in risks to their health and loss of property value. This proposed mine will be far too close to town and other rural residential areas. As there is no minimum safety zone for mines, it is possible they can keep coming right up to dwellings, which is totally unacceptable.


5. Impacts on Health
Health impacts from open-cut coalmines are well documented. With most of Gloucester township, including the hospital and schools, falling within the 5km health impact zone of the Rocky Hill mine, this places a large percentage of the population at risk. Those most affected by the health impacts are the very young, the elderly and the sick.

6. Impact on Tourism, worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy
An open-cut coalmine within 5km of Gloucester and within sight of the Bucketts Way will have an impact on the visual amenity of the area. The mine will risk the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry. I have looked at the Rocky Hill Project website and was appalled to see the damage which will occur over the life of this mine. I cannot see why tourists will want to come to Gloucester to see the overburden and mess made.

7. Environment
The proposed mine is on the Avon River floodplain and in the catchment area of the Manning River, which supplies drinking water to over 80,000 people. The Avon River has flooded 5 times in 4 years, with 2 floods occurring in 2013. There is definite potential for contamination of the water in the catchment. Gloucester Valley is also often subject to heavy fog and it has been suggested that this will hold the coal dust.



This mine should not be approved

Yours faithfully



LINDA LOWTON
657 Bucketts Road, Gloucester. 2422

I have not made a reportable political donation.

*I have seen with my own two eyes how much destruction these coal mines have caused in the Hunter Valley and I think it is time to say no to any further destruction like that.

*The proposed mine is way too close to residential areas.
The proposed pits are only 900m from the Forbesdale residential estate, and barely 3km from Gloucester township. The impacts from noise and air pollution, blasting, loss of amenity and lifestyle on surrounding residents are simply unacceptable, and in no way justified by the dubious economic arguments put forward by mine proponents.

*Risk of water contamination is high.
The proposed mine is on the Avon River floodplain and in the catchment area of the Manning River, which supplies drinking water to over 80,000 people. The Avon River has flooded five times in four years, with two floods occurring in 2013. There is definite potential for contamination of the water in the catchment.

The so-called 'commitments' to reduce mining impacts cannot be trusted. The community has no reason to trust either commitments from the mining company made during its application, nor conditions imposed by the Planning Department if approval is given. We have seen elsewhere in Gloucester and the Hunter Valley that these conditions can be changed later, and usually are. Conditions regarding mine rehabilitation, night-time work hours, noise, blasting and dust, and even the footprint of the mine, are untrusted. It is known, for example, that there are plans for a 'Stage 2' of the coal mine.

Planning Services
Department of Planning and Environment
GPO Box 39, SYDNEY 2001
Attention: Director - Resources and Energy

Project Name: Rocky Hill Coal Project
Project No.: SSD 5156

Dear Sir/Madam

I support the Rocky Hill Coal Project going ahead because it will:
- Local industry development.
- Increase direct and indirect employment in Gloucester.

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

Planning Services
Department of Planning and Environment
GPO Box 39, SYDNEY 2001
Attention: Director - Resources and Energy

Project Name: Rocky Hill Coal Project
Project No.: SSD 5156

Dear Sir/Madam

I support the Rocky Hill Coal Project going ahead because it will:
*Provide local employment opportunities not only directly but also indirectly associated with the project which will help to boost Gloucesters economy. Which has been struggly for the past few years, partly because of the lack of opportunities for career development and viable industries.
*Offer local career progression and education opportunities.

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

Planning Services
Department of Planning and Environment
GPO Box 39, SYDNEY 2001
Attention: Director - Resources and Energy

Project Name: Rocky Hill Coal Project
Project No.: SSD 5156

Dear Sir/Madam

I support the Rocky Hill Coal Project going ahead because it will:
*Provide local industry development and support local business owners like myself.
*offer/increase local employment opportunities

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

I support the Rocky Hill project and the employment and business opportunities its brings to Gloucester.

Director - Resource Assessments
Planning Services
Department of Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Submission for the Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156
Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD 1

To Whom It May Concern:

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine Modifications for the following reasons.

The mine will have adverse effects on tourism, agriculture, air quality and the lifestyle of residents and it also adversely affects the livelihood of the many people presently employed in tourism and accommodation providers in the area for a possibly short term increase in employment in coal mining. The viability of coal mining around the world is in sharp decline and no doubt will cease when the price of coal becomes too low.

The Stratford mine stated that there would be an increase in employment for local people of Gloucester however more than half the employees were brought in from other areas. They do not spend money in town. Most of them do not live in town. Their families live and spend money elsewhere. Companies in Gloucester stated that they were training apprentices who then left and got employment at the Stratford mine, due to higher wages. Those businesses find this situation unsustainable.

When the Stratford mine downsized their operations and eventually stopped production, many workers were just let go. Mining is not a sustainable industry and in the not too distant future will become less and less profitable and sustainable. When coal prices decrease mining companies have no responsibility or loyalty to local workers. They shut up shop and let someone else clean up the mess. Who is going to have to support the workers and their families then?

Gloucester needs sustainable growth and sustainable industry especially in the area of tourism. This is a very striking and beautiful part of the world and another coal mine is not what we want and is not what we need.

I object to the Rocky Hill mining proposal.
The proposal is far too close to the town of Gloucester and I believe the extreme ugliness of open-cut mining will inevitably cause great harm to tourism in the area. The noise, dust and light pollution at night will spoil the experience of tourists who currently come to the area to enjoy its rivers and scenery.
Tourism is sustainable and long-term, whereas mining is short-term and will leave a lasting legacy of damage that will not be possible to repair.
I am extremely disappointed that a mining exploration licence was allowed in this sensitive area and wonder how this could possibly have been permitted. This is a shocking proposal that should never have been allowed to begin.

I oppose the rocky hill coal mine.
I oppose the rocky hill coal mine for the following reasons.
1. The final void. There WILL be a final void. If you take 1.3 million tonnes of coal per annum for 20+years, then you leave a hole. It is true that initially the spoil will be expanded in volume, but given a short amount of time, it will compress again. I do not believe the proponents belief that there will be no final void.
2. There will be dust, like there is now from Stratford mine. Coal dust is dangerous ( particularly pm 10 and below). My children go to school in Gloucester and we work and socialise in the town. It is irresponsible of the state , to put residents, particularly children, at risk in this way. Even people who support the mine, and live near Stratford mine, acknowledge this is a risk.
3. There will be significant noise despite what the proponent says. Stratford mine nearby , said all the things this mob says, yet we still hear it. So will residents living much closer than I do.
That is unacceptable.
4.The mine will have significant visual impacts particularly from the north. I note the proponents predicted views did not include a view from the Mograni lookout(which is the gateway into town from Taree and Forster). It is ugly and ruins amenity and beauty valley. Even "Modern"mines are ugly.
5. This town has had a lot of division over the past 5-10 years. People who benefit like mining it(few), those who don't benefit don't like it(many). People who used to be friends , fight bitterly.
As recent layoffs at Duralie and Stratford show, this resource does not last long. I don't agree that the short term flash of money, is worth the permanent damage to the ecosystems and landforms. Nor does it benefit of community, who used to be so tight .Professional people who can afford to leave, and not live in a mining environment , do so regularly . Mining professionals come in and then leave rapidly once job is not there. People who used to work for local businesses now price themselves out of the market after earning high mining wages, and tend to leave when there is a downturn. People not on these high wages, resent that those who are, are compromising our towns beauty and healthy environment. For money.

I object because it is dirty, short term, ugly and coal is not necessary in our modern economy. There are other alternatives that don't ruin the landscape, water systems or people's lives.
Any employment it provides, is insecure and takes workers from other areas, particularly agriculture.

I support this project with the belief that it will bring much needed jobs to the local and surrounding community, it will provide an opportunity for the local town to grow and bring to the area some younger families. It will support local farmers and provide an opportunity for the development of new farms. In turn, the project will respect the local community and environment, making every effort to maintain the country lifestyle that the area is so well known for.