Rocky Hill Coal Mine

The proposed mine is too close to the town, hospital and schools and the impact of the mine will affect the health of the people and that of the surrounding countryside.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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 definite potential for
contamination of the water in the catchment.
This mine should not be approved

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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 definite potential for
contamination of the water in the catchment.
This mine should not be approved

I absolutely oppose to the destructive and short-sighted plan to mine Rocky Hill. It would be a disgrace to put at risk such a natural wonder as this area that is a significant attraction for people from all over the world.

I consider our Leaders our head and we are the body. I think the head of one's body usually by instinct will want to feed it's own body (hahaha). I know it sound stupid but when you think about it a nation function best when its citizen are well fed, active and free of fear. Well seeing our food source treated with such carelessness, for so little profit, I have to wonder about the state of mind of our head, (remember Midas?). Please do treat your body like a temple and look after it,

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project together with the Stratford Mine Modification.
1;Dust...Children,the elderly & people with respiratory disease will be at risk.
2'Scenic beauty,which is visible to travellers along the Buckets Way,& residents on the eastern side,will only be seeing an ugly mine.
3;The area will never be the same after the mines are depleted of coal,the earth that is taken out.
4;Who will pay for the rehabilitation of the area if the mine goes into liquidation??
5;What about the beautiful night skies & the quietness,we will loose all of that.
6;If the first mine goes ahead,then there will be more & more stages & will get closer & closer to our property.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THE ROCKY HILL MINE PROJECT.

It is a danger to public health. Too close to residences and the hospital. Also will ruin the tourist industry in the area due to unsightly nature of an opencut mine.

Date:
Director Ã,Â- Resource Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning & Environment GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001
Submission for the Rocky Hill Coal Project Ã,Â- Application No SSD-5156 Stratford Coal Extension Project Ã,Â- Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1
Dear Sir
I completely oppose both of the projects above.
Ihave friends in Gloucester who are totally opposed to the mine. They have shown us where the mine will be and we are amazed that the state government could approve a mine so close to houses. The scenic beauty of the Gloucester valley will be lost forever. This will lead to a drop in tourists. Surely this will mean that whatever financial benefit claims the mining company makes will be cancelled out by loss of tourist dollars.
Gloucester is known to be clean and green. That is its claim to fame. That image will be irreparably damaged if this mine is approved.
My friends are very concerned about any health issues that will arise from living near this mine. It is known that living near coal mines has a detrimental affect on health, including asthma and heart disease. The NSW Department of Health cannot deny the risks.
Economically the coal industry has become very risky. It is a dying industry that will be economically unviable within a few decades. To open new mines now is a gross act of environmental vandalism. I am 77 years old and have never in my life seen a properly rehabilitated mine site. The best of them were done with taxpayers input, mostly mining weasels out of it.
We ask that the NSW Planning Department do the right thing and not approve this mine, which will affect so many people and our delicate environment in a very damaging way.
Yours faithfully
A.Chung.

I have not made a reportable political donation

I object to the mine, the impact it will have on the community, the environment, visual impact, farming and impact on other businesses, particularly with the decline in mining

I object to this proposal. I live in another State, but strongly believe this type of project is unacceptable in terms of land value retention, community safety and environmental protection. I am now retired, but lectured in science at JCU, so have a strong sciand environment background.

This coal mine will negatively impact on the people of the Gloucester Valley. Tourism will be ruined. Land values will fall.

We don't need new coal mines in Australia.

Under NO circumstances should a coalmine be permitted to operate in this area of NSW, which is so renowned for its beauty. The community there have already indicated their opposition to CSG, so to give approval to a coalmine proves that you simply don't care about people's wish to protect their country and the health of both themselves and their children.
COAL is a resource that has had its day.
There is NO FUTURE in this proposal. Ditch it.

I object to the rocky hill coal mine due to the threat of human health of residents, and threatening the tourism farming industry.

Sunday 2nd October 2016

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

Dear Sir/Madam

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

As a regular visitor to Gloucester I cannot see how an open-cut coal mine can co-exist with other industries in the area. Tourism is a major industry, bringing in thousands of people and dollars each year. With an unsightly coal mine in the valley on the way into town I think people will be reluctant to stay in Gloucester. I certainly will reconsider visiting an area that has turned into a landscape like a lot of the Hunter Valley.

The beautiful environment is what my family and I most love about this place. We don't want to go to Gloucester to see orange dust exploding into the air and to 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, particularly if they have to share the roads with holidaymakers. It spells disaster. The Bucketts Way is not built for such large vehicles. It will be dangerous if you are towing a caravan.

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. I'm sure most of those people chose to live in Gloucester for the clean air, water and rural lifestyle. They must be so depressed knowing that a mine is on their doorstep.

From what I know of other mining companies they are all foreign owned. That means that most of the profits will go overseas. The residents there suffer so people living elsewhere get rich. It's not ethical.

I strongly advise that the NSW Government does not approve this mine.

Yours sincerely

Lyndall Whiteford
Email: [email protected]
Address 6 Petrea Court, Wynnum West, Qld, 44178

* I have not made a reportable political donation

Dear Sir/Madam
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project
-
Application No SSD
-
5156
and the
Stratford
Coal
Extension Project
-
Application No SSD
-
4966 MOD 1
Our family has been regularly visiting Gloucester . We love the beautiful landscape and it's tranquility .
I cannot see how an open cut coal mine can co-
exist with other industries in the area! Tourism is a major industry,
bringing in thousands of people and dollars each year. With an unsightly coal
mine in the valley on the way into town I think people will be reluctant to stay
in Glouce
ster. I certainly will reconsider visiting an area that has turned into a
landscape like a lot of the Hunter Valley.
The beautiful environment is what my family and I most love about this
place. We don't want to go to Gloucester to see orange dust explo
ding into
the air and to 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, particularly if they have to
share the roads with holidaymakers.
It spells disaster. The Bucketts Way is
not built for such large vehicles. It will be dangerous if you are towing a
caravan.
The mine is just a short distance from homes and families. How can this be
approved? The health impacts will be paramount for thos
e residents.
I'm sure
most of those people chose to live in Gloucester for the clean air, water and
rural lifestyle. They must be so depressed knowing that a mine is on their
doorstep.
From what I know of other mining companies they are all foreign owned.
That means that most of the profits will go overseas. The residents there
suffer so people living elsewhere get rich. It's not ethical.
I strongly advise that the NSW Government does not approve this mine.
Yours sincere

I visit Gloucester and have friends that live there.
The mine site is to be too close to the town boundaries and would have a detrimental impact on tourism, health and quality of life.

Dear Sir/Madam

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and the modification to the Stratford Coal Extension Project.

Gloucester, the home town of my parents-in-law, is a naturally beautiful town. It attracts bush walkers, cyclists, campers and outdoor lovers. It is an area of primary produce that relies on clean water supply from its rivers.

An open cut coal mine in the heart of Gloucester would completely destroy the natural beauty of the area and risk the cleanliness of the water supply, not to mention the air pollution.

The people of Gloucester economic benefit is minuscule in comparison to the profits to be made by the corporation responsible for the mine. Whilst some may argue that increased employment would add an economic boost to the township, albeit short term, this is far outweighed by the long term environmental damage which would also affect primary producers.

Large corporations that are responsible for mines have shown over and over again that they cannot be trusted to protect the environment, especially in the long run, when coal supply is exhausted.

In this day and age, with an abundance of renewable energy at our fingertips, is it really worth risking all that Gloucester has for a finite supply of coal?

I strongly object to the mine and believe the time has come for coal mining to stop ruining our beautiful landscape.

I am writing to object to the proposed Rocky Hill Coal mine. I have lived in this beautiful valley for over thirty years and find it inconceivable that there would be approval for a mine this close to our picturesque community. It would be detrimental to our health, water and life of the town. We value our pristine waters, our clean atmosphere our quiet country location. People live and visit Gloucester because of the scenic countryside. The pure water courses and the clean air.To approve this mine would be a travesty of justice. We cannot believe that it won't be extended once they are in there. Gloucester has spent millions of dollars on developing the Tourism industry we have, this would be the death of Tourism for Gloucester. Please let our voices be heard and reject this mine for the sake of our beautiful town and the health and future of our community.

Dear Sir/Madam

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

1.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 there health and 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.

2. Impacts on Health.
Health impacts from open-cut coalmines are well documented. With most of Gloucester township, including schools and the hospital, falling within the 5km impact zone of the Rocky Hill mine, this places a large percentage of the population at risk. This is a very windy area and when the wind blows from the south Gloucester township will very likely be covered in coal dust.

3. Environment
The proposed mine is on the Avon River floodplain and in the catchment area of the Manning River, which supplies 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.

4. Impact on Tourism, worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy.
An open-cut 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 the risk the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry.

5. Extensions to the mine.
GLR have already earmarked the area north of the proposed Rocky Hill mine for stage 2. As with all coalmines, when the first mine is approved then they follow on with extension after extension. The exploration licence extends north up the Avon Valley to the town. There is no minimum distance from residences.

6. Impact of this mine on me and my Family.
I bought our property in 1982 after my Solicitor advised us there was no interest in the property from mining companies. My husband and I have lived here since 1992 and have enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle, clean air and water. We also have kept and bred our beautiful show horses on this property since 1982 and continue to do so. We dread breathing coal dust and having our tank water supply contaminated by coal dust particles. I believe this is highly likely as this happens at Stratford and surrounds.

I object to the Rocky Hill coal mine.

The primary reason for my objection is that the scientific consensus is that if we are to maintain conditions on planet Earth, suitable for human habitation and maintain many of the species with whom we currently share it, then there must be no new mines, frack sites or drilling for new fossil fuel deposits.

Even if we exploit fully those deposits currently active, we will exceed the 2 degree centigrade increase Australia signed up to in Paris, and we will be committing future generations to a shocking life. There is much science to support this view, but it is also well argued in this piece I read today by Guardian columnist George Monbiot. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/27/fracking-digging-drilling-paris-agreement-fossil-fuels

We only have this planet, there is no PLANet B. Climate change is already beginning to wreak havoc around the globe and here in Australia. We cannot afford to allow it to continue unchecked. We absolutely must take action to stop the fossil fuel burning, both here and overseas and for us this means no new coal mines. No Rocky Hill mine.

I have watched the march of coal up the Hunter Valley. Much of the valley floor is now riddled with enormous voids that can never be filled. This will be the fate of the beautiful and productive Gloucester Valley if the Rocky Hill mine gets a foothold. Mines exploiut, contaminate land and water and then leave a big hole.

Agriculture is a relatively benign activity that can continue for many decades. The long-term sustainable future for Gloucester is in agriculture, nature based tourism and related industries, not in mining with it's fly in fly out workforces.

Mining is wrecking rivers, aquifers and water tables around the world. We have seen the damage Whitehaven has done at Werris Creek, with water pouring in to the mine that has now been lost for all other users.

We know from work done for the CSG proposal that the Gloucester basin is riven with various geological strata, and there can be no assurance that the mine will not pierce aquifers or do long term damage to water resources. This is particularly significant in a warming world.