Rocky Hill Coal Mine

Dear Sir,

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

I completely oppose both of the projects above.

I have friends who live in Gloucester who are totally opposed to the Rocky Hill mine. They have shown me where the mine will be and I am appalled that the state government would even consider approving an open cut coal mine so close to Gloucester homes.

If Rocky Hill coal mine proceeds in any form, the scenic beauty and peaceful perception of the Gloucester valley will be lost forever. Mine blasts, dust, heavy vehicle movements and constant heavy machinery noise 6 days per week is a disaster for rural Gloucester. This will lead to a drop in tourists which will cancel out any economic benefits claimed by Gloucester Resources Ltd. My friends tell me the published government statistics show that Gloucester tourism is worth $51 million each year, this is too important to risk.

I am also very concerned about any health issues that will inevitably arise from living near this mine. It is known that living near coal mines has a detrimental effect on health, including asthma and heart disease. The NSW Department of Health cannot deny the risks. I fear for the health of my friends.

I ask that the NSW Planning Department do the right thing and not approve Rocky Hill coal mine. It is too close to Gloucester, too risky for the community's health and too risky for tourism.

I have made no reportable political donations.
Yours faithfully,

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine.
I have been a regular visitor to the Gloucester area for over three decades to visit friends and for school sporting visits. The natural beauty of the area speaks for itself, and must not be destroyed by an open cut mine. Having lived in Muswellbrook from 1985-1987, then 1989-2007, I and my family lived through the advent and massive expansion of open cut mines in that area. Apart from the destruction of the natural beauty and farmland of the area, this mine, and any future expansion, are planned to be located within direct sight and sound of the town.
On a health issue, I suffered regular, diagnosed, allergic rhionitis, which caused many months of lost work time over those years. It was cured on leaving the area and living in Newcastle since 2008.
I urge that this mine not be built on the basis of loss of amenity and the tourism economy, the proven adverse health consequences.
I have not made a reportable political donation

As a medical practitioner, I oppose this proposal for a new open cut coal mine due to the deleterious effects on health and the environment.

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

The revised project as described in the EIS for the Amended Rocky Hill Coal Project, a principally coking coal resource used for steel-making, is clearly a superior planning proposal that has been demonstrably modified in response to environmental and social constraints.
The reduced mining rate, revised pit design, exclusion of night-time operations, effective buffer zone/setbacks, simplified on-site processing arrangements and efficient use of suitable existing mining regional facilities, provision of biodiversity conservation offsets, as well as excellent end-of-mine rehabilitation all show a responsible environmental planning approach to the project which will manage impacts on amenity, the landscape and agricultural land uses.
The proposed local procurement expenditure and 75% local employment target will greatly assist local employment and the local and regional economy.
The project benefits clearly outweigh the potential negative impacts and the project should be approved.

Having acquainted myself fully with the proposed operations and aims of the Rocky Hill Coal Mine I am in full support of this project. The scale of operations, attention to detail with regard visual amenity and environmental management, employment regimes and corporate citizenship will be welcomed by this community.
The boost to our small rural economy will ensure a bright future for this town and it's community.

I oppose this proposal for a new open cut coal mine due to the deleterious effects on HEALTH and the ENVIROMENT.

The proposed coal mine is far too close to the residents of Gloucester, which will have a huge impact on them. As well as the many health effects associated with a project like this, it was detrimental to the small towns tourism.

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 also 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.

As a farmer and food supplier in the Gloucester valley I am strongly opposed to the proposed Rocky Hill coal mine. An open-cut coal mine so close to the town is bad for the health of the residents, animals and soil. Most of Gloucester's income currently comes from tourism and agriculture. The air pollution and noise from an open-cut coal mine right next to the town will destroy tourism, and have a very poor effect on our agricultural industries. One of the main attractions of our beautiful valley is its cleanliness - clean air, clean rivers. With an open-cut coal mine right next to the town, we will no longer have those advantages.
We have seen with other coal mines, such as the mine at Stratford, that there are no guarantees that the mine will stay within the boundaries it first describes. We have also seen at Stratford that the mining companies have no loyalty towards their workers, so any employment that the mine may offer will be transitory, depending on global coal prices.
Gloucester cannot take the gamble of having thriving tourism and agricultural industries destroyed by a mine that may or may not provide employment, and may well expand, completely ruining our wonderful valley and community.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine 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 concerns are many. Dust, Noise,Working hours, Water pollution into the Avon river & further down stream especially if we have a flood, Damage to the environment, Harm to the Flora & Fauna, What about the FROGS, Visual impact, Extra traffic on both Jacks rd & The Buckets Way, Extra rail movements. I didn't move to this beautiful area to live next to a coal mine. We need tourism here not a coal mine.

Noise - due to the nature of its operations, mine will result in an increase of additional noise pollution within the area which will have a negative result on those living close by and the wider community.

Tourism - due to the decline in industry in other areas, the Gloucestet region relies heavily on tourism. However an open cut mine will dramatically reduce the amount of travellers to Gloucester as it will take away Gloucester's nature Beaty and idealistical lifestyle.

Health - it is well documented that open cut mines increase dust and noise levels. The mine will have a detrimental affect on location residents, which has longer lasting impacts within the community.

As a permanent resident of Gloucester For the last thirty years I oppose the Rocky hill coal project the proposed mine is to close to the town of Gloucester and rural residential dwellings the dust noise and diesel emissions from the mine will impact the health and well being of all Gloucester residents particularly children and the frail. AS a business owner I am also concerned about the economic detriment of the proposed mine we have a large tourist base which is growing annually beside the obvious benefit to tourist operators bussinesses such as ours benefit from the flow on effect with people moving to the area for lifestyle change and retirement I am strongly opposed to this mine it will have a detremental affect on the viability of mine and many other bussinesses in this area

I strongly oppose the opening of any new coal mines and the expansion of existing coal mines. We urgently need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, to prevent catastrophic global warming and protect human health. Coal mining generates substantial local pollution and puts communities at risk. We should look for alternatives sources of energy and employment in NSW and Australia-wide.

I will not stand for CSG mining in Australia, after considering the REAL negative effects such as water and soil contamination therefore destruction of farms; Both live stock and crops will decay, along with the tourism the city currently recieves and the health of its citizens. All for money. Would you live in a city with a CSG mine so close!?
Disgusting behaviour - all for money. Selfish.

I will not stand for CSG mining in Australia, after considering the REAL negative effects such as water and soil contamination therefore destruction of farms; Both live stock and crops will decay, along with the tourism the city currently recieves and the health of its citizens. All for money. Would you live in a city with a CSG mine so close!?
Disgusting behaviour - all for money. Selfish.

I wish to oppose the Rocky Hill coal mine.
Gloucester is to my mind, a tranquil idyllic rural town sent within a valley, shirted by the Bucketts and the Barrington Tops National Park, so it is within this context that I feel the whole area will be severely affected by such a mine where the noise and the pollutants will be trapped within these borders. My main concerns, as a physiotherapist, is the pollution that the open cut mine will cause to the health of the population, coal dust and diesel are known carcinogens and with a population of 2500 many will succumb, particularly children and the elderly who are most at risk. Noise and congestion caused by heavy machinery are also a great concern as many in the area are narrow winding roads.
With respect, it seems madness to establish a coal mine, the product of which will be burnt, contributing to global warming and CLIMATE CHANGE. Would it not be better to preserve this peaceful scenic area where tourists will continue to visit and bring ongoing revenue to the Government?
Thank You for your time. Peter Mitchell

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

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 significant loss of property value. This will extend to the entire town in the projects proposed staged implementation. In 2015 the PAC found in relation to the Bulga mine that "property values could be negatively affected and that the encroachment of mining will make it more difficult for land owners to sell their property". The Rocky Hill proposal is closer to Gloucester than in Bulga's case. PAC suggested the entire town be moved. Will Gloucester, with over 120 years of history, its hospital, high school, primary schools, aerodrome, farms and residents be moved too? Will we be offered adequate compensation for our homes and businesses?

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 us all at risk. There will be dust impacts on the town & surrounding residents because of the mines position in the valley & the prevailing winds. To deny this illustrates a lack of understanding of the local area by the applicant. Although I live 10km from town I will be affected by the noise and light pollution from the mine. When there is an inversion layer in the valley, which is frequently, I can hear the train, so the mine noise, particularly at night will be significant for residents for kilometres around. Mining up to 10pm IS night time mining, this is unacceptable & highlights the lack of genuine concern for the community by the applicant.

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 a huge impact on the visual amenity of the area, which is why tourists come to the area. The mine will risk the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry, including mine. I work for 2 cafes and tourists are their major trade. This is evidenced by the significant increase in takings over the holiday periods & the dramatic drop when the Thunderbolts Way was closed a few years ago. Gloucester has successfully transitioned from a farming/forestry community to a tourist town and this significant local industry will be killed by this mine.

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, especially as this area floods regularly.

I believe that this mine will be the closest mine to any town in Australia. Gloucester cannot co-exist with this open cut mine.

I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed Rocky Hill coal mine development. My objection is based on the following:
The operations will be less than 1 km from Forbesdale residential areas and about 3km from Gloucester township. Gloucester valley is narrow and elongated with surrounding hills, relatively small, with complex geology and water tables and river flows that service near and downstream populations.
Wind data is scarce but data available supports valley floor flows along the north-south axis of the valley and this is supported by the data available with an expectation of SW through East dominance. This places the populated areas of Forbesdale and Gloucester township at risk. In practical terms this is already born out by smells and tastes as one drives through Stratford and while out of doors on the farm on a windy S, SE day.
The health risks and loss of amenity risks are too great. Respiratory problems are more frequent in rural areas generally and in proximity to open cut mines.

The Gloucester valley enjoys a thriving tourist industry and retirement, tree change attraction - largely due to its clean credentials and its clean water and beautiful rivers. Contamination of the Avon river is already apparent from the Stratford mine. Complex hydrology in the area makes safe water management impossible, with likely no recourse to operators when things go irreparably wrong in the future.
The negative effect on tourism, house and business prices as well as community wellbeing, physical and mental health issues was quite apparent during the recent divisive CSG project. The community is just now recovering from that and this projects resurrection is already creating a destructive and divisive environment.
The coal industry does not create sustainable long term jobs, particularly for locals - in fact shortages of tradespeople able to access higher pay in the mining industry was a feature of the Stratford mine with subsequent lay offs creating significant community stresses. The renewable energy sector is a more powerful creator of long term employment, albeit with arguably less jobs in the early establishment phase.
Gloucester community has quite a high uptake of domestic PV rooftop capacity reflective of community views and aspirations for a clean and sustainable community committed to clean air, clean water and good health.
International evidence for the capacity and future of the renewable energy sector and the decline of the fossil fuel sector - in particular coal mining - should be better recognised by Australian and State governments with commitment by them to build on the strengths and potential of communities and resources.
One may anticipate the health and environmental costs of the Rocky Hill Mine will far outweight the dubious benefits loosely described and without apparent financial or other obligation of the operators or proponents for adverse outcomes including remediation, loss of natural scenic beauty, loss of inherent value of clean air, clean water, community harmony etc.

What if any value has been attributed to the natural capital of these amenities, or to the likely health costs?

As stated above I am fundamentally opposed to this development in any way, its history and the role of disgraced politicians but above all the likely health and wellbeing impacts on a community of which I have become part over the last 40 years.