Rocky Hill Coal Mine

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.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine.The coal mine is way to close to town and the health risks from coal dust and diesel emissions are not necessary. The noise and industry in this place will also effect farming, tourism, residents way of life and the visual aspects of the mine will certainly effect tourism.I see no benefits to all residents especially children and the elderly whose health is at most risk from coal dust.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156 and the Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1

My sister and her family moved to Gloucester 20yrs ago and so as a regular visitor to Gloucester I cannot see how an open-cut coal mine can co-exist with other industries in the area.

Every school holidays I see the families with young children coming into the valley, tourism is a major industry, bringing in the dollars each year. With an unsightly coal mine in the valley on the way into town I think families will be reluctant to stay in Gloucester.

The beautiful environment is what my sister and her family loved about the area so they bought a working beef farm. It is now surrounded by GRL own land. They will be affected with orange dust exploding into the air and hear the drone of mining operations.

Coal mines create dust and noise, not to mention heavy vehicles. Gloucester roads are not suitable for constant heavy traffic, and Jacks road was not built to have an extra 100+ vehicles drive along it daily.

The mine is just a short distance from homes and families. How can this be approved? The health impacts will be paramount for those residents. Every room in my sister's home looks directly at the mine site. I have seen the stress my sister has gone through already, I know she will suffer terribly if this mine is not stopped.

GRL needs to be accountable for what it is doing to peoples lives and therefore be forced to buy out all properties on the south of Jacks Rd and Fairbairns residents if it is given approval.

I strongly advise that the NSW Government does not approve this mine. This mine is too close to the residential houses, farms, tourist businesses and the Gloucester Township.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156 and the Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1

My sister and her family moved to Gloucester 20yrs ago and so as a regular visitor to Gloucester I cannot see how an open-cut coal mine can co-exist with other industries in the area.

Every school holidays I see the families with young children coming into the valley, tourism is a major industry, bringing in the dollars each year. With an unsightly coal mine in the valley on the way into town I think families will be reluctant to stay in Gloucester.

The beautiful environment is what my sister and her family loved about the area so they bought a working beef farm. It is now surrounded by GRL own land. They will be affected with orange dust exploding into the air and hear the drone of mining operations.

Coal mines create dust and noise, not to mention heavy vehicles. Gloucester roads are not suitable for constant heavy traffic, and Jacks road was not built to have an extra 100+ vehicles drive along it daily.

The mine is just a short distance from homes and families. How can this be approved? The health impacts will be paramount for those residents. Every room in my sister's home looks directly at the mine site. I have seen the stress my sister has gone through already, I know she will suffer terribly if this mine is not stopped.

GRL needs to be accountable for what it is doing to peoples lives and therefore be forced to buy out all properties on the south of Jacks Rd and Fairbairns residents if it is given approval.

I strongly advise that the NSW Government does not approve this mine. This mine is too close to the residential houses, farms, tourist businesses and the Gloucester Township.

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


I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project together with the Stratford Mine Modification.
The Rocky Hill coal mine must be stopped. I oppose it because if you damage Gloucester by putting in a coal mine, you damage the clean/green reputation and image Gloucester has with its visitors.

My daughter left Sydney's constant pollution and noise to find peace. Now GRL is intent on taking it - for its own profit. Gloucester does not need a new mine with a very limited life and limited production. The government does not need to permanently damage Gloucester for the sake of a very small increment in coking coal production. Why would you permanently damage another beautiful valley that draws in tourists and lifestyle tree-changers?

If this mine is given the go ahead properties on the south of Jacks Rd and all of Fairbairns residents need to be purchased by the mining company. Unlike the mineworkers, these residents are exposed to the finest mining particles 24 hours a day, every day. My daughter and her family's health should be valued as more precious than coal.

I have seen the impact this mine, so far, has had on my family, the hours spent reading the EIS, going to meetings, and writing submissions, twice now, and all the stress this has caused- it is not right that the government has not already put a stop to this mine.

This mine is too close to the residential houses, farms, tourist businesses and the Gloucester Township.

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


I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project together with the Stratford Mine Modification.
The Rocky Hill coal mine must be stopped. I oppose it because if you damage Gloucester by putting in a coal mine, you damage the clean/green reputation and image Gloucester has with its visitors.

My daughter left Sydney's constant pollution and noise to find peace. Now GRL is intent on taking it - for its own profit. Gloucester does not need a new mine with a very limited life and limited production. The government does not need to permanently damage Gloucester for the sake of a very small increment in coking coal production. Why would you permanently damage another beautiful valley that draws in tourists and lifestyle tree-changers?

If this mine is given the go ahead properties on the south of Jacks Rd and all of Fairbairns residents need to be purchased by the mining company. Unlike the mineworkers, these residents are exposed to the finest mining particles 24 hours a day, every day. My daughter and her family's health should be valued as more precious than coal.

I have seen the impact this mine, so far, has had on my family, the hours spent reading the EIS, going to meetings, and writing submissions, twice now, and all the stress this has caused- it is not right that the government has not already put a stop to this mine.

This mine is too close to the residential houses, farms, tourist businesses and the Gloucester Township.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine on the grounds that it will be situated too close to the town of Gloucester itself, actually within the sight of houses in outlying estates. There will be issues with dust, noise and light pollution, and increased traffic flow on Bucketts Way which is already stressed. Many of the promised jobs are likely to be filled by workers and contractors from the coast and not from our local area. The close proximity to town of a coal mine is likely to detract from the popularlty of Gloucester as a tourist town and a retirement destination for 'tree changers.'

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine on the grounds that it is too close to the town of Gloucester being within the sight of houses in the outlying estates of the town. There are issues of air, noise and light pollution, and increased traffic flow on the already stressed Bucketts Way. The promised jobs are likely to be filled by workers and contractors from the coast, and even further afield, and not from our town. The proximity to town of a coal mine is likely to deter tree changers from making Gloucester their new home, and discourage tourists and day trippers who currently regard Gloucester as 'lovely'.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project on the following grounds
1. Proximity to residential areas.
The mine is proposed only 900 metres 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.
2. Impacts on Health
Health impacts from open-cut coal mines 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.
3. Impact on Tourism, worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy
An open-cut coal mine 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.
4. 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.
This mine should not be approved

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project on the following grounds
1. Proximity to residential areas.
The mine is proposed only 900 metres 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.
2. Impacts on Health
Health impacts from open-cut coal mines 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.
3. Impact on Tourism, worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy
An open-cut coal mine 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.
4. 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.
This mine should not be approved

I am deeply concerned and saddened by the idea that a coal mine may go up around a kilometer from my parents' house in Forbesdale. They have put their life savings into this house and are now trapped. The house, if the mine goes ahead will be worth nothing- or very little. For this reason it should most definitely be bought my the mining company, as it is absolutely devastating on a family level that due to this mine, they will not be able to sell their place and move to somewhere else. The mine will not only greatly reduce the value of their house, but their peace of mind. My dad is going through chemo therapy and is dealing with a terminal illness. Life isn't easy and with the prospect of this mine, life is a hell of a lot more stressful than it should be. It is unethical to do this to the people of Gloucester and the people of Forbesdale. You wouldn't want this to happen to your parents or your friends or you. Why let it go ahead and ruin so many lives? It is unbelievably unfair to trap people into an area rendering health, environmental and well being problems. it is unfair that their house that they worked long and hard for will be worth very little and considering this will have no means to leave. It is unfair and unethical. If this mine does go ahead, the mining company will need to buy properties off to justify what they are doing. They can't leave people in this situation.
I completely object. Life is worth so much more than this.

I have lived here for over 30 years and have experienced the wild storms with dumps of rain which can exceed 30 mms in an hour and keep it up for hours not to mention the winds from the south which can do the same.
Control of waste water and control of air borne particles from a southern site so very close to the town is not possible.
Why are the people, animals, birds, rivers and plants in this lovely valley road kill for a foreign company encouraged by our governments who are supposed to care for Australia and Australians. The research is tainted, the governments venal and the Courts are unjust. This stupidity is catastrophic.

26 September 2016

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

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification. I hardly know where to start as there are many, many reasons for objecting to the approval of these applications. I hope whoever makes the decision to approve or disapprove the applications actually reads the submissions and gets an idea of the distress this project has caused the community of the Gloucester area, as well as the environmental and health concerns.

My main objections are:
* This open cut mine will be too close to the township of Gloucester bringing with it dust and noise problems which have known health repercussions. People who live close to Duralie Mine (to the south of Gloucester) live with clouds of dust after blasting .... they say "You can smell it and taste it." Heaven help people with asthma. This area is a narrow, enclosed valley which retards the dispersion of pollutants.
* Many people in the valley are on tank water captured from their roofs which will be covered in carcinogenic coal dust, as the people around Stratford have suffered for years.
* The Company has admitted that the current proposal isn't financially viable unless there is a Stage 2 which means that the future mine would extend north to be even closer to the township. EL6523 covers a long narrow strip between the hills to the east of Gloucester and the town itself - this would be Stage 2 (and they have already drilled this area). GRL should undertake not to seek any form of extension.
* The fact is that the EIS for this project only covers an uneconomical small mine. It means extensions can be applied for without all the initial red-tape. Once a small mine lasting 14-16 years is approved, it seems to follow that approval of extensions are no problem for the mining companies (look at Stratford and Duralie).
* The threat to water quality of our rivers which are the water supply for thousands of downstream residents. I do not believe that the EIS has properly addressed the problem of dirty saline and sediment-laden water from the mine and surface runoff - how can spraying it on roads be a good solution?
* What about the residents of Stratford village and nearby areas? They have suffered noise and pollution of their water tanks and air for 20 years and now are going to have coal mined from near Gloucester trucked down to be washed here. The number of truck movements stated in the EIS is huge! Keith Ross, who was one of GRL's managers, said that the pollution caused by diesel particulates is even WORSE than coal dust! Plus GRL have two more EL's to the south of Gloucester around Stratford - if Rocky Hill is approved, they will then go ahead to develop these licences. It's just never-ending!
* 40m high `amenity' barriers? How are these going to be built? Experts predict the pasture mix proposed will not work and will leave dry ridges, contaminated dams, eroding slopes etc. Hunter Valley here we come! Offset planting does not restore environment which has been destroyed by mining.
 
* I do not trust Gloucester Resources Ltd to have the region's best interests at heart. They are a company which is 81% overseas owned so the majority of profits do not benefit New South Wales - figures show that the only benefit over the life of the mine will be about $3million per year! There have been four company managers over the 10 or more years since GRL came to the area - they don't stay around long and are only here for their own financial benefit, leaving the long-suffering residents to fight on against this project which will not benefit Gloucester in the long-term.
* The loss of "community" that has been caused by this and other mining projects in the area is appalling. There have been many homes and thousands of hectares bought in preparation for the mine operations which have dispossessed many long and short-term residents. Gloucester has lost a lot of these people and it has caused so much heartache at the same time. Also, people who now rent houses that GRL own have to sign an agreement not to complain about dust, noise or any other problems that occur - how is this fair?
* The impact on community health must be considered. The distress and health problems that follow loss of community are not worth the few local mining jobs that may be generated.
* What constitutes "local" when they say "up to 110 jobs" created? Are people really going to move to buy property and live permanently in Gloucester for a short-term mine? No. Gloucester will have a drive in/drive out workforce, creating further traffic on already badly maintained roads or if they do rent, prices will rise for the life of the mine so low-income people cannot afford to continue to live here.
* Certainly not least important (although it is so far down the list) - please consider that approval of this mine will result in the loss of a beautiful agricultural valley and many associated tourism jobs. This is an unsustainable project which will leave Gloucester with at least one great big hole and ruined environment.

There are many other points that could be made to object to this project. I am so tired of the constant threat to Gloucester.

Please don't jeopardise this rural community and the environment for a short-term, damaging project run by a few greedy opportunists.

Terry Joy Hardwick
806 Upper Avon Road
CRAVEN. 2422

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project on the following grounds

1. Proximity to residential areas.
The mine is proposed only 900 metres 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.

2. Impacts on Health
Health impacts from open-cut coal mines 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.

3. Impact on Tourism, worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy
An open-cut coal mine 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.

4. 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.

This mine should not be approved

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine

My family have close friends in this area, and visit quite often. It seems the coal mine has taken priority to people's livelihood, and the money spent by visitors and locals who will be forced to leave the area, has not been taken into consideration, nor the massive devaluation of their properties. Health comes before wealth, particularly with the effects of coal dust, noise, and the reclaiming of locals living standards. DEFINATELY NO COAL MINING IN THIS AREA.

Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156
Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD1
Dear Sir/Madam
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds:
1. Fall in Property Prices
Over the last few years during the proposed AGL gas exploration proposals we have seen
depressed property and land sales as far away as Rookhurst. This has impacted on many trades
like the building industry. The moment AGL moved away from their proposal, property prizes and
transactions started to increase again. We don't need more uncertainty.
2. Mayor Image Loss and negative impact on Tourism:
The Gloucester area has an amazing natural beauty which is attractive for tourists especially
from the Sydney and Newcastle regions. Open Cut mining will taint if not destroy that image
and reality. The mine will risk the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry. The visual
impact is so destructive that the existing mines along Bucketts Way have put up visual barriers
along the road trying to hide this terrible reality.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The Future Vision of Australia:
Eventually Australia will have to make a decision if it wants to invest in outdated, last century
production and technology like dirty coal mining, which cannot last much longer looking at
Global warming and the destruction of the Barrier Reef, or if it wants to join the future and invest
in smart, renewable and clean technology, and it needs to decide if it wants its (future) children
to work in dirty coal mines or as highly trained technicians in the digital and solar/wind industries.
The mine should not be approved!
Yours faithfully
Marc Wittenberg

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project
For the following reasons:
1) I live only 6km from the mine. I am elderly by any definition (74) and fear that pollution of the atmosphere would affect my health. Please note I was brought up in the UK at a time 0f heavy atmospheric pollution and many tens to hundreds of thousands were affected by lung diseases and other cancers from that pollution. This pollution was caused by the burning of coal.
2) The transport of the coal along a mine road to the Stratford mine by trucks will be an environmental disaster. It has been estimated that over the life of the mine that the distance covered by the trucks will be upwards of 6.6m km. Particulate matter emitted by Diesel engines is known to cause cancer, that is why there are such strict emission laws. These trucks will be on private land and will probably not be licensed who knows how much pollution they will put out. I live only 6 km away, many people are much closer.
3) The coal mine owners will no doubt make lots of money, especially if the high price of coking coal continues. There will be a few miners who will make decent wages but we are only talking about a small number of workers, these mines do not employ many workers, they employ very large machines. Some driven my electricity but this electricity is made by mostly burning coal.
I therefore submit that Gloucester will only benefit in a very small way from this project, the negative impact from pollution, loss of tourist business will vastly outweigh the positives.

4) Mines are the worst kind of eyesore. This is bad enough in any area but in an area of outstanding beauty like Gloucester and its surroundings this is a total disgrace. People will not come to an area so disfigured by such a mine. I know it will be hidden by eart walls but the noise and dust will be there. I used to fly full sized gliders near Singleton before the mines started there. I saw the development of the mines and believe me it looks like the mountains of the moon. The mining companies will walk away when the mines are done with and the NSW government will have to pick up the tab for the restitution of the land. This actually cannot be done because Millenia passed to get the land into the state it was before the mines and a little bit of surface work will not re-constitute the strata that were there before.
5) The property values of dwellings in Gloucester will decrease, no one wants to live next to a mine. I have already seen prices starting to drop. There is no compensation for this, no compensation for the health implications, not compensation for lost farming land, no compensation for the lost tourism that will accompany this ill advised development.

I believe the job opportunity in the local area is critical with the state of the current economic environment and rising unemployment in the area and greater hunter. The economic contribution to the local economy is needed through the GRL's community grants program of around $6.5 million. This drive of activity will assist resurrecting property prices in the area, reduce rental vacancies and provide a strong boost to local business operators in the area who need it most. The boost will allow greater investment into Tourism activity that has been dropping off through the local B&B and moteliers. The Rocky Hill proposal achieves a sustainable outcome for the local and wider environment. With other mines in the area moving into care and maintenance phase and another 40 people made redundant just recently, this opportunity provides an attractive environment to attract young families to the area for work opportunities. The local economy needs growth to sustain itself and the mine should be seen as a temporary land use and platform to provide the stability, growth and social benefits that Gloucester needs.

Janice Oliver
40 Barnes Cres
Menai 2234

Director
Resource Assessments Planning Services
Dept Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

26 September 2016

You may use my personal information

Re: I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine

Rocky Hill Coal Project Application Number SSD - 5156
Stratford Coal Extension Application Number SSD - 4966 MOD1

Dear Sir/Madam,
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine and the Stratford Extensions for the following reasons:

1. EXTREME PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS
The mine is only 900m from the residential area of Forbesdale. These residents will be burdened in an intolerable way by dust, noise and loss of amenity. They will experience unacceptable risks to their mental and physical health as well as loss of their property values impacting on their future. This is the most closely settled area to ever entertain location of an open cut mine.

2. IMPACTS ON HEALTH
Negative health impacts from open cut mining have been well documented. The mine is less than 5 km from Gloucester Township, hospital, schools and playing fields. The long term costs to the residents' health far out ways any short term minimal gains the mine could possibly bring. These health costs will add to the burgeoning health costs into the future.

3. IMPACT ON TOURISM
An open cut coal mine within 5km of the Gloucester, and within sight of Bucketts Way will impact on both the attraction of the area, and the number of tourists who choose this route to travel, as well the income a brought into the area through tourism.

4. ENVIRONMENT
The proposed mine is in the Avon Valley and in the catchment area of the Manning River. This supplies drinking water to over 80,000 people. There is the potential for the contamination of the water in catchment. The enclosed valley retards the dispersion of air pollutants, the largest single environmental health risk and leading cause of disease and death globally.

There will be 8 million tonnes of coal crusher waste spread through the Gloucester and Stratford overburden to leech into the catchment. The water treatment plant will discharge water to areas outside the mine site, and under some circumstances into the Avon River.

This mine should not be approved.
Yours faithfully

Janice and Michael Oliver