Rocky Hill Coal Mine

I have friends in Gloucester whom I visit regularly. I object to the proposed RHCP because it will create an intolerable noise, dust and visual amenity burden for residents of the Gloucester Valley. My friends live within 5 km of the Stratford Mining Complex and I have experienced the intrusive noise from miningboperations at their residence.

Dear Dept of Planning and Environment,

I am concerned to hear of the proposed Rocky Hill Coal Mine at Gloucester.

I am no expert on energy resources and understand that we all need these resources to power our lives, but I do know that Gloucester is an incredibly gorgeous historic town that would be negatively affected by having this mine on its doorstep.

Australia is a very large country, the 6th largest in the world. Surely it does not make good planning or environmental sense to build an open cut mine a few kilometres from a tourist town and the families that reside there. Let the mining companies mine for coal (if they must) a safe distance from communities like Gloucester. Surely this is common sense!

As the department that is responsible for the admittedly difficult task of planning for the future but also caring for us all and our environment, we ask that you would please oppose this proposal. There has to be better ways forward as a State than this.

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

Yours sincerely,

Brendan Reilly

PS I have not made a reportable political donation.

The proposed open cut mine is to close to Gloucester .The residents will be subjected to blasting ,coal dust ,possibly Coal trucks on narrow windy roads and possibly water pollution.This area is a tourist destination and the visual scenic integrity needs to be protected .

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

I am Totally opposed to the Rocky Hill Coal Project

I am opposed to any more mines in the Gloucester area the Mine would be the end for this popular and picturesque town and tourist destination
I have Family not to far from this proposed mine and when they bought there block they built the dream home they always wanted and now they might be looking at at big unsightly hole in the ground and there was no mention of this coal mine when they bought
also there is the Health impacts as well instead of breathing nice country air it would become coal dust bowl and dirty and that's why they are in the area for its wonderful surrounds not a coal mine
also driving into Gloucester its nice looking at the country side not Big Barriers and that's what would happen

Please Listen to the People of Gloucester and Refuse the Application of the Rocky Hill Coal Project SSD-5156

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.

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

We should be transitiong to renewables and recycling existing materials.

This development will severely affect nearby residents. The noise and dust effects are woefully understated in the EIS.

The EIS does not cover who will remediate the site if the company goes bust. Is it the taxpayer and the Gloucester community that will be left to pick up the pieces?

There appears to be minimal benefit to the State and little to the local community.

I object to the Rocky Hill mine proposal:
- It is far too close to town and other residential properties south of town
- With the proximity to town in our valley there will be coal dust which will have several health impacts e.g. we would like to BREATHE CLEAN AIR
- A lot of properties rely on tank water i.e. water that comes from the roof where coal dust can settle - WE WOULD LIKE CLEAN WATER TO DRINK
- We have many beautiful, clean rivers and creeks in the area which will be affected, plus the flow on affect down stream to other major water sources for larger communities i.e. Taree
- The damage directly and indirectly to agricultural land will never be able to be undone
- Apart from AIR POLLUTION, there will be NOISE POLLUTION
- There will be the visual impact - constant - VISUAL POLLUTION
- There will be impacts to our very important and growing tourist industry
- Our tourist and agricultural industries are long term and the direction I would like to see our town grow.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine.

Even coking coal is not in demand around the world. There is enough stockpiled to
adequately supply the steel making industry. Coal mining is not a sustainable industry, with
fluctuating prices and worker layoffs.
The benefit to the NSW Government and the people of NSW
is debatable.
GRLwill pay $63M in revenue and $60M in taxes. The life of the mine is 16 to 20 years. That means the company is saying just over $3M a year for revenue and taxes.
Most of the profit from this company will go overseas

Re: Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No. SSD-5156
I am TOTALLY AGAINST this project and any extension of commencement of coal mining in the Gloucester/Stratford area.
About time the government put effort into alternative forms of energy production.
To desecrate good farming land is an abomination.
Gloucester not only has a flourishing agricultural industry it is also a centre of growing tourism.
Shame on anyone who thinks this proposal is even worth considering.

I support the development of the Rocky Hill coal project as it will bring new jobs to the Gloucester and newcastle area.
I will be applying for a job at the mine and myself and my husband and young daughter intend moving to Gloucester if we can get jobs.

Re: Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No. SSD-5156
I am TOTALLY AGAINST this project and any extension of commencement of coal mining in the Gloucester/Stratford area.
About time the government put effort into alternative forms of energy production.
To desecrate good farming land is an abomination.
Gloucester not only has a flourishing agricultural industry it is also a centre of growing tourism.
Shame on anyone who thinks this proposal is even worth considering.

I am looking forward to moving to Gloucester when my Dad gets a job at the new mine. I also want to get a job in the mine when I leave school.

I support the new mine at Gloucester as I am looking to get a truck driving job at the mine. If I get a job I will relocate my family to Gloucester to live.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project- Application No SSD-5156 and the Stratford Coal Extension Project -Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1 for many reasons.
I am a regular visitor to the beautiful Gloucester area and am horrified that a mine is being proposed for an area which relies so much on tourism As a long time Hunter valley resident I would hate to see Gloucester resemble many of the areas which have close proximity to mines.
I am also alarmed at the prospect of heavy vehicles sharing the Bucketts Way which is certainly not a road built for large vehicles. The potential for accidents will be greatly enhanced.
I am also extremely concerned that the proposed mine will be so close to residences which must suffer from the effects of noise and dust. Those residents would have moved to Gloucester to live in an area with clean air and water and will suffer adverse health effects if the mine is approved.

Climate change is now a reality with increasingly dire weather events adversely affecting much of the country. Why then allow another polluting mine which will exacerbate our already climate problems.

I strongly urge the NSW government to not approve this proposal
.

I wish to demonstrate my support for the proposed Rocky Hill Project SSD-5156 as amended, for the following reasons
- funding for local and district infrastructure
- jobs growth in the Gloucester region,
- expansion/ introduction of local businesses for the supply of goods and services
- increased population for the sustained /improvement of Government Services

I further recommend that
- contributions received due and from the project be totally managed by representatives from the Gloucester area and
the funds be used for educational and long term infrastructure activities
- that the State Government earmark coal royalties be utilised to totally rebuild the Bucketts Way from the Pacific Highway to at least the township of Gloucester and also provide future funding for adequate maintenance.

I oppose the Rocky Hill coalmine. Several members of my family live in beautiful Gloucester, and my nieces and nephews attend the primary school. Some of those relatives already suffer asthma, and I have grave concerns for their health, as well as everyone's health if this coalmine is allowed to go ahead so very close to where they live and go to school.
Please do not gamble with the health of Gloucester's population, and the long term environmental stability of the region.

Dear Sir/Madam

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification

As a resident of Gloucester, employed locally in the tourism industry, I am opposed to any more mines in the Gloucester area. The Rocky Hill mine will be the beginning of the end for our beautiful town.

Most importantly I am horrified that the proposed mine is to be built within 900metres of 30 homes and families. I cannot believe that is considered acceptable for any long-standing community, with or without the planned barriers (The barriers, erected to hide the mine workings, are in themselves, an eyesore. The steepness of the barriers will not allow
vegetation to grow successfully but rather will be eroded by rain or create dust storms when it is windy.)

Various groups in Gloucester, including Groundswell Gloucester and the Environment Group, will be lodging submissions against this mine and i would like to acknowledge that I support the content of these submissions.

Despite GRL's statement that there will be no negative health impacts from Stage 1 of their mine, I cannot see how the evidence in the public domain regarding health impacts from open-cut coal mining can be ignored. It feels as if the health of these people is being dismissed?

On a personal note I am particularly concerned about the impacts of the mine on the local tourism industry as my partner and I both rely on the industry for our income, as employees of a Gloucester-based tourism business.

GRL's claim that the mine will bring local employment is exaggerated and misleading, as are all employment figures generally associated with mining in Australia. The Stratford mine had 60% of its workforce as DIDO's and the township
does not reap the monetary rewards it promised.

Tourism, on the other hand, is worth $51M per annum to the Gloucester economy. It is sustainable, low impact and as exampled by our own situation the flow on effect to the local economy is significant as we live, shop, rent and spend our income in Gloucester.

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 my job and the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry.

Finally, the effect on my local environment cannot be ignored.
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.

The application for the Rocky Hill mine should be refused.

The Hunter Valley has taken far to much damage already both to valuable lands ,forests ,,,villages and peoples lives,,now it is time to give the valley back to the people,fill in the massive holes(IF THAT IS EVER GOING TO BE POSSIBLE ),,,,,,,We need clean water,clean air.healthy children ,,,not more coal mines,,,,,The end of coal is nigh .why open more or extend mines while so many are reducing staff ,or closing down due to over production or poor prices. I am a 74ry old Grand mother and I WANT ONLY THE BEST FOR MY GRAND CHILDREN ,life with coal and all its problems, will not provide in this day and age