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State Significant Development

Determination

Rocky Hill Coal Mine

MidCoast

Current Status: Determination

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. SEARs
  2. Prepare EIS
  3. Exhibition
  4. Collate Submissions
  5. Response to Submissions
  6. Assessment
  7. Recommendation
  8. Determination

Rocky Hill Coal

Attachments & Resources

Request for DGRS (3)

Application (1)

DGRs (1)

EIS (55)

Submissions (7)

Agency Submissions (11)

Response to Submissions (35)

Amendments (114)

Assessment (3)

Recommendation (3)

Determination (3)

Approved Documents

There are no post approval documents available

Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.

Complaints

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Enforcements

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Inspections

There are no inspections for this project.

Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.

Submissions

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Showing 61 - 80 of 4292 submissions
Steven Griffiths
Support
Martins Creek , New South Wales
Message
I give my full support for the Rocky Hill Coal Project.

Im 24 years old with a mortgage and bills to pay and have been traveling all over the Hunter Valley trying to make ends meet. i have recently been made redundant from a previous job due to be a contractor and am struggling to find another job for my trade (Plant Mechanic) due to my residential address and unable to find accomindation to work up the Valley due to 99% of places booked out for months. I think this will be great for the Gloucester and surounding shires to bring employment back to the locals and give the next lot of school leavers a head start in a trade which is the majority of Australian trading, mining.
Lorraine Findlay
Object
Forbesdale , New South Wales
Message


The Rock Hill Coal Project at Gloucester
Personal Submission from Gloucester Resident Lorraine Findlay


The Director General
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure
23-33 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

14th October 2013

Dear Sir,

This is my personal submission in opposition to the Rocky Hill Coal Project at Gloucester.

I don't want the mine to be approved for the following reasons:
* My property is within 900-1100 meters of the proposed mine.
* My property is elevated therefore the visual impact from the eastern side will be greater. The southern side will be visually impacted by the coal loader.
* There will be an increase in noise levels due to the following:
o Increase in road traffic past the front of my home on the west side due to the activity created by the mine.
o Increase in rail traffic at the coal loader on the southern side of my home.
o Heavy earth moving equipment within the mine site.
o Drilling and blasting within the mine site.

* Damage to my property is of a concern (foundations, plaster cracking, and structural movement) due to the impact of blasting at the mine site.
* Toxic blast plumes from open cut coal mine. Concerns with the gases produced during blasting.
* Concerns regarding the increase in dust levels:
o Increase in dust and dirt covering my home my plants and trees.
o Increase in dust levels that will compromise the air quality.
o Increase in dust levels that would affect the quality of tank and ground water.

* The suggested operational hours of the coal mine would impact on my health:
o Interrupted sleep due to higher noise levels with the earth moving equipment and additional rail activity at the coal loader.
o Higher levels of road traffic noise.
o John (my husband) is dusted with asbestos and his condition is progressing. Living that close to an open cut coal mine could severely impact on John's ongoing lung condition.


I want to be in an acquisition/affectation zone.
* Retirement at Forbesdale is no longer an option due to the close proximity of the propose coal mine to my home.
* The option to sell my property at Forbesdale is compromised due to the close proximity of the proposed coal mine to my home.
* Forbesdale property forms part of my retirement portfolio whether I retire in my home or sell my home. The value of my retirement portfolio has greatly been reduced due to the close proximity of the proposed coal mine to my home.
* If the Rocky Hill Coal Project is approved I want GRL to purchase my Forbesdale property at the market value prior to the Rocky Hill Coal Project application. I should not be financially disadvantaged to line the pockets of the Government and GRL. I want to retire with the benefits and options that I have worked so hard to achieve.

Reject the application for the Rocky Hill Coal Project.
As the reader of this submission, you must consider the ongoing good health, environmental and social needs of the local community. Just stop and think about the financial devastation your decision could create in many decent hard working Australian lives.


I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me, thank you.

Yours Sincerely,


Lorraine Findlay
75 Fairbairns Road
FORBESDALE NSW 2422








John Findlay
Object
Forbesdale , New South Wales
Message
The Rock Hill Coal Project at Gloucester
Personal Submission from Gloucester Residents John Findlay


The Director General
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure
23-33 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

14th October 2013

Dear Sir,

This is my personal submission in opposition to the Rocky Hill Coal Project at Gloucester.

I don't want the mine to be approved for the following reasons:
* My property is within 900-1100 meters of the proposed mine.
* My property is elevated therefore the visual impact from the eastern side will be greater. The southern side will be visually impacted by the coal loader.
* There will be an increase in noise levels due to the following:
o Increase in road traffic past the front of my home on the west side due to the activity created by the mine.
o Increase in rail traffic at the coal loader on the southern side of my home.
o Heavy earth moving equipment within the mine site.
o Drilling and blasting within the mine site.

* Damage to my property is of a concern (foundations, plaster cracking, and structural movement) due to the impact of blasting at the mine site.
* Toxic blast plumes from open cut coal mine. Concerns with the gases produced during blasting.
* Concerns regarding the increase in dust levels:
o Increase in dust and dirt covering my home my plants and trees.
o Increase in dust levels that will compromise the air quality.
o Increase in dust levels that would affect the quality of tank and ground water.

* The suggested operational hours of the coal mine would impact on my health:
o Interrupted sleep due to higher noise levels with the earth moving equipment and additional rail activity at the coal loader.
o Higher levels of road traffic noise.
o I am dusted with asbestos and my condition is progressing. Living that close to an open cut coal mine could severely impact on my ongoing lung condition.


I want to be in an acquisition/affectation zone.
* Retirement at Forbesdale is no longer an option due to the close proximity of the propose coal mine to my home.
* The option to sell my property at Forbesdale is compromised due to the close proximity of the proposed coal mine to my home.
* Forbesdale property forms part of my retirement portfolio whether I retire in my home or sell my home. The value of my retirement portfolio has greatly been reduced due to the close proximity of the proposed coal mine to my home.
* If the Rocky Hill Coal Project is approved I want GRL to purchase my Forbesdale property at the market value prior to the Rocky Hill Coal Project application. I should not be financially disadvantaged to line the pockets of the Government and GRL. I want to retire with the benefits and options that I have worked so hard to achieve.

Reject the application for the Rocky Hill Coal Project.
As the reader of this submission, you must consider the ongoing good health, environmental and social needs of the local community. Just stop and think about the financial devastation your decision could create in many decent hard working Australian lives.


I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me, thank you.

Yours Sincerely,


John Findlay
75 Fairbairns Road
FORBESDALE NSW 2422








Name Withheld
Object
Port Macquarie , New South Wales
Message
I object to the Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project for the following reasons:

- It is substantially within an area zoned for Environmental and Scenic Protection

- It is within 850 metres of residential housing in the Forbedale Estate. I believe that the health and lifestyle of those residents could be severely impacted upon, the values of their properties greatly reduced through noise, dust, traffic and the unsightliness of a nearby mine

- There is potential for contamination of water in the catchment area.

- It would add to the cumulative impact of mining activity surrounding Gloucester which could affect a thriving tourism industry
Brendan Newham
Support
Thornton , New South Wales
Message
I wholly support this project as we need investment in NSW and it will:
* Provide direct employment / jobs;
* Generate work for goods and service providers; and
* Provide government taxes and royalties.
I support the project as I understand it will undergo rigorous environmental and social assessment, regulation, monitoring and scrutiny.
Sharon McSwan
Support
Barrington , New South Wales
Message
Bring it on !!!! Gloucester desperately needs more jobs and hope for the future. A lot of people just want the town to become a big retirement village but we needs employment to keep the town alive. I don't believe tourism will be affected to the degree that they make out as all of the scenic sites are not in the rocky hill location.
John Bowen
Support
Windella , New South Wales
Message
I support the project for the future of employment in the area. Most people I speak to are unable to get sustainable employment and either travel or move from the area.
Amy Sansom
Object
Gloucester , New South Wales
Message
I live adjacent to the Avon flat, 2.5km from the mine site. I am incredibly worried about the impact the mine will have on the health of the citizens of Gloucester. Not only this but what the mine will do to our beautiful, peaceful town. I am not looking forward to the eyesore that will be created by the mine. My parents also own a property at Forbesdale, the financial loss they will incure will be huge.
Keith Leo & Marjorie Whitby
Object
Gloucester , New South Wales
Message
The proposal is likely to have a significant impact on my ability to capture solar energy in an efficient manner due to likely dust from the proposal. I currently have 33 solar panels and do not want to clean them every day.

I am concerned about the health impacts from fine dust/particulate matter. The proposal is unhealthy for children, particluarly the health impacts on sensitive recivers such as schools.

I am concerned about the impacts of noise from the proposal.

I am concerned about the visual impacts of the proposal.
Neal Quinn
Support
Forster , New South Wales
Message
I Believe that this new project is needed for the whole of the Manning and Barrington area, being local i myself along with many others have to travel vast distances to find financially viable employment to support our families, a large amount of this earning goes into the community in which we are forced to seek out for this employment I.E accomodation food living expenses, This is money that needs to be spent in our local community and reinvested in our community with building and local busniess.
Name Withheld
Support
Emerald , Queensland
Message
The rocky hill coal project offers a significant opportunity for employment and economic advantage to the communities of Gloucester especially in a time of a slowdown in the Australian community. Small companies like Gloucester Resources often provide more benefit to the communities than larger companies due to more community spirit.
Leanne Barrett
Object
GLOUCESTER , New South Wales
Message
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project for the following reasons:

Proximity - The mine boundary will be situated 900metres from Forbesdale Residential Estate of 35 families. Those families will experience unacceptable levels of noise, dust, and traffic. They have already lost their peaceful, rural lifestyle with this threat. Many have chosen not to improve their homes because they no longer have any value. There are also 3 other rural residential estates within 2.5km.

No one wants to live next door to an open-cut coal mine. The only way they can sell their homes is to the mining company, GRL and they don't want them. This is a catastrophic loss for these families as their biggest asset has become worthless. GRL should not be able to profit from the losses of individuals.

Noise - It is a known fact that noise is the number one complaint from residents who live near coal mines. There is the noise of the mine workings, the noise of the loading trains, but the most destructive noise for humans is 'infrasound'. Infrasound causes sleep disturbances and can lead to major health complaints. The Rocky Hill mine will cause high levels of noise for residents close to the mine but also unacceptable levels of noise for all residents in Gloucester town and beyond. I live over 7kms from the existing railway and can hear the trains clearly when there is an inversion in the valley. The noise and consequent sleep aspects will be far greater than anticipated.

No amount of monitoring or measuring will stop the noise impact for the residents of Gloucester.

Health - negative health impacts, which can result in serious illnesses, from the dust from open cut coal mines are well known. Most of Gloucester township (including the hospital and schools) falls within the acknowledged 5km health impact zone of the Rocky Hill mine - thus placing a large proportion of the population at risk. Those most affected by the health impacts are our children, the old and the sick. Are the people of Gloucester just collateral damage? Again monitoring and measuring will not prevent us breathing the toxic dust produced from this mine.

Impact on Tourism - Visitors come to Gloucester to experience the peaceful, country lifestyle.
An open cut coal mine within 5km of Gloucester and within sight of the Bucketts Way will have a major adverse impact on the visual amenity of the area. Tourism is currently worth over $30M to the Gloucester economy. It will be impacted with a resultant loss of jobs and income generated in the township.

Employment - Companies in town are already experiencing the negative impacts of having a mine nearby. Mining is good for employment if you want to work in a mine. It is not good for people who want to work in other industries in a mining town. Unemployment in Gloucester is below the State average. The people who are currently unemployed are either unemployable or will not be employed by the mine. Local small businesses will lose their employees, who they have invested in with training and experience. These businesses will not be able to attract new employees from outside the area. We have experienced this with the Stratford mine where one cmopany lost 11 apprentices.

Water - The location of the proposed Rocky Hill mine is on the Avon River floodplain, and in the water 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 February this year. There is real potential for contamination of the water in the catchment.

Cumulative Impacts - If approved, the Rocky Hill coal mine won't be operating in isolation in the Gloucester Valley. Yancoal has requested expansion of its mine at Stratford and AGL is planning on 330 CSG wells in the Valley - many of AGL's wells are 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. To not consider the cumulative impacts of this mining is reckless and irresponsible.

I implore you to not sacrifice our town and its people. I oppose the Rocky Hill coal mine project. Thank you.

I have not made a reportable political donation.
Noel Herley
Support
Buderim , Queensland
Message
I have reviewed and considered this application and I am pleased to offer my support.
I have worked with the proponents and in this area previously and I am well versed with the issues of community concern, matters relating to land use and issues that arise from noise, dust and potential water quality problems.
I consider the people responsible for this application are indeed responsible and are offering a well managed development that properly addresses potential environmental impacts.
I am also of the opinion that recent events in this region have given the regulators considerably more capability to assess and manage these developments.
Further, the proponents have I consider completed a very considerable impact assessment and addressed methods and practices for managing risks associated with the development.
Whilst I am not a 'near neighbour' I am proud to say that I am a frequent visitor to this great part of Australia and have noted it 'struggling' in recent years and support this application because of the generation of employment and the creation of wealth within the area.
On balance, I see only a positive outcome for the investors in this development, the people of this region as well as NSW and wish to offer the proponents best wishes for a successful operation.

Name Withheld
Support
546 waukivory rd , New South Wales
Message
It is what this town needs to be better for its own future
Name Withheld
Support
Coalfalls , Queensland
Message
I support the development of the Rocky Hill project because I am 22years old and am keen to see new employment opportunities created and will be applying for a position at the Rocky Hill mine when it is opened.
Name Withheld
Support
Wattle Ponds , New South Wales
Message
While I do not live in the area, my family and I have often been to Gloucester and enjoyed holidays in the Barrington Tops and on the coast near there. I have also met people from Gloucester who work in the Singleton area and I am aware of the current lack of opportunities for employment in the Gloucester area, particularly for young people.

I have a strong interest in new projects that might impact our environment and have made objections in the past, i.e. the proposed Tillegra Dam. However, after spending quite a lot of time on the Rocky Hill Coal Project website, I am very impressed with the amount of time and effort that has gone into planning this coal mine.

There are always some negative impacts to proposals like this but I consider that these have been thoroughly addressed in the EIS and that measures such as those below will minimise the potential impacts as much as possible.
* Responsible and sensitive management of environmental factors with progressive rehabilitation of mined areas back to current use with no final void.
* The construction of vegetated visibility and noise barriers.
* Flora and fauna corridors with large areas already planted with local tree species.
* Improvements to local roads and bridges to more than compensate for extra traffic.

I strongly believe that this project has many positive impacts for the Gloucester area and I have listed the main ones below.
* It will breathe new life into Gloucester and the surrounding area with a huge boost to employment opportunities for local people (planned target of 75% of the workforce to be locals) and the ongoing benefits from this - both financially and socially - with local spending, community grants and additional rate revenue for local council.
* Opportunities for the young people of Gloucester to gain local apprenticeships and University scholarships.
* Increased opportunities for local businesses to grow and for new ones to be established.
* Establishment and permanent conservation of a 267ha Biodiversity Offset Area.

I look forward to seeing this Project approved and Gloucester once again becoming a proud and progressive country town.
Name Withheld
Support
Taringa , Queensland
Message
I support the development of the Rocky Hill mine because I currently work in the mining and gas industry and am interested in possibly applying for a job at the new mine and relocating from Brisbane to the more rural surrounds of the Gloucester valley.
Name Withheld
Support
Gloucester , New South Wales
Message
I am in favour of the mine as it will bring employment
to Gloucester.
I only hope that the company will stick by their EIS Submission in regard to coal dust and any emissions
coming from the mine being closely watched.
Name Withheld
Object
Gloucester , New South Wales
Message
I am very concerned about the long term damage to the Gloucester area environment. I feel that the land, water, and air will no longer be preserved in a way which will promote the diverse agriculture, health, and quality of lifestyle which we enjoy. Tourism will be hampered, and tourism is a gentle income earner for the Gloucester area as compared to the destruction caused by coal mining and coal seam gas extraction. Our ground water, air quality, and way of life will be seriously in doubt. My relatives in the U.S. own land in the state of Texas.They have experienced what can happen in a rural area which produces oil and gas. There are problems when of dealing with corporations whose power is often frightenly excessive, even transcending political power and,public opinion,as well as the law. We need to preserve what we have now, for the future. Big business and money interests should put the people first and should use wisdom and much genuine care..
Name Withheld
Object
Gloucester , New South Wales
Message
Dear Sir,
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine Project.

Proximity - The mine boundary will be situated 900metres from Forbesdale Residential Estate of 35 families. Those families will experience unacceptable levels of noise, dust, and traffic. They have already lost their peaceful, rural lifestyle with this threat. Many have chosen not to improve their homes because they no longer have any value.
No one wants to live next door to an open-cut coal mine. The only way they can sell their homes is to the mining company, GRL and they don't want them.

The bright glow of the mine lights of a night can be seen from Stratford mine, imagine what it will be like at the Rocky Hill site, when it is so close to the Gloucester Township.


Noise - It is a known fact that noise is the number one complaint from residents who live near coal mines. There is the noise of the mine workings. There is the noise of the loading trains. But the most destructive noise for humans is 'infrasound'. Infrasound causes sleep disturbances and can lead to major health complaints. The Rocky Hill mine will cause high levels of noise for residents close to the mine but also unacceptable levels of noise for residents in Gloucester town.

I am worried about the blasting and vibrations, as I know of families near Duralie Mine near Stroud Road that have felt their homes vibrate and smell the sulpher smell afterwards.

No amount of monitoring or measuring will stop the noise impact for the residents of Gloucester.

Health - negative health impacts, which can result in serious illnesses, from the dust from open cut coal mines are well known. Most of Gloucester township (including the hospital and schools) falls within the acknowledged 5km health impact zone of the Rocky Hill mine - thus placing a large proportion of the population at risk. Those most affected by the health impacts are our children, the old and the sick. Are the people of Gloucester just collateral damage?

Impact on Tourism - Visitors come to Gloucester to experience the peaceful, country lifestyle.
An open cut coal mine within 5km of Gloucester and within sight of the Bucketts Way will have a major adverse impact on the visual amenity of the area. Tourism is currently worth over $30M to the Gloucester economy. It will be impacted with a resultant loss of jobs and income generated in the township.

Employment - Companies in town are already experiencing the negative impacts of having a mine nearby. One company lost 11 apprentices to the Stratford mine, down the valley. Mining is good for employment if you want to work in a mine. It is not good for people who want to work in other industries in a mining town.

Water - The location of the proposed Rocky Hill mine is on the Avon River floodplain, and in the water 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 February this year. There is real potential for contamination of the water in the catchment.

Cumulative Impacts - If approved, the Rocky Hill coal mine won't be operating in isolation in the Gloucester Valley. Yancoal has requested expansion of its mine at Stratford and AGL is planning on 330 CSG wells in the Valley - many of AGL's wells are 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. To not consider the cumulative impacts of this mining is reckless and irresponsible.




Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSD-5156
Assessment Type
State Significant Development
Development Type
Coal Mining
Local Government Areas
MidCoast
Decision
Refused
Determination Date
Decider
IPC-N

Contact Planner

Name
Colin Phillips