Rocky Hill Coal Mine

Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156 Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD 1
Dear Sir/Madam
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds
1) I am deeply concerned with the effects this project will have on our water supply. As the nearby rivers supply approximately 80,000 residents of the Manning Valley , why would a fair government agree to such a risk of polluting our water , after all Public Health Care will have an increased demand for its' services, which would cost more to provide .I believe potable water will be a precious resource in the future ,please don't risk the purity and sufficient supply of ours.
2)I object to the impact on the environment which these mining projects will have .I object in terms of saving our Pervis turtle which will be potentially listed as endangered, along with the negative effects on all the other flora and fauna we share the area with. I also am deeply worried that this project, if allowed to go ahead, will have such a large detrimental impact on the general beauty and health of our valley. Also we have seen failures of mining rehabilitation in NSW and there appears to be no guarantee that suitable rehabilitation will occur after the mining decimation.
3)This project does not make good economic sense for the town and surrounds . Our main industries are tourism and agriculture which can remain sustainable , unlike fossil fuels ,if they are allowed to continue without the hugely destructive presence of the proposed mining activity. I understand coal is being stock piled and more progressive governments recognise the inevitable need to switch to renewable power , so why do we need this mine? I hope it is not just to make some companies richer.
4)Coal mining so close to homes ,schools and hospital is, in my mind unacceptable , the population will be at an unacceptable at risk of mining related illnesses and this will particularly affect the old , young and those with chronic illness .I think having such an disfiguring industry so close to residential areas will be appalling for the local residents, and will devalue their properties as well as risking their health.
Please do not allow this project to go ahead.
I do not donate to any political parties,
Thank you for your consideration of these matters.
Yours sincerely,
L.Mammone

The project will bring jobs and infrastructure to the community, leading to opportunities for young locals.

Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156 Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD 1
Dear Sir/Madam
I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project and Stratford Mine modification on the following grounds
1) I am deeply concerned with the effects this project will have on our water supply. As the nearby rivers supply approximately 80,000 residents of the Manning Valley , why would a fair government agree to such a risk of polluting our water , after all Public Health Care will have an increased demand for its' services, which would cost more to provide .I believe potable water will be a precious resource in the future ,please don't risk the purity and sufficient supply of ours.
2)I object to the impact on the environment which these mining projects will have .I object in terms of saving our Pervis turtle which will be potentially listed as endangered, along with the negative effects on all the other flora and fauna we share the area with. I also am deeply worried that this project, if allowed to go ahead, will have such a large detrimental impact on the general beauty and health of our valley. Also we have seen failures of mining rehabilitation in NSW and there appears to be no guarantee that suitable rehabilitation will occur after the mining decimation.
3)This project does not make good economic sense for the town and surrounds . Our main industries are tourism and agriculture which can remain sustainable , unlike fossil fuels ,if they are allowed to continue without the hugely destructive presence of the proposed mining activity. I understand coal is being stock piled and more progressive governments recognise the inevitable need to switch to renewable power , so why do we need this mine? I hope it is not just to make some companies richer.
4)Coal mining so close to homes ,schools and hospital is, in my mind unacceptable , the population will be at an unacceptable at risk of mining related illnesses and this will particularly affect the old , young and those with chronic illness .I think having such an disfiguring industry so close to residential areas will be appalling for the local residents, and will devalue their properties as well as risking their health.
Please do not allow thi project to go ahead.
I have not any political donations to report
Yours sincerely

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine. I didn't retire to Gloucester to have a coal mine in my backyard.

Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156
Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD - 4966 MOD 1
Dear Sir/Madam
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 be impacted by dust, noise and loss of amenity, resulting in loss of enjoyment of their homes, risk to their health as well as 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, a large percentage of the population would be at risk, and the very young, the elderly and the sick could suffer in particular.
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. In general the tourism sector employs more people than mining; the mine will risk the jobs of hundreds employed in the tourism industry. I love visiting this beautiful town and I certainly will not go there with a mine on its doorstep.
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. Farming could easily be negatively affected.

I have had reason to become a familiar visitor to this region over a few decades and have long valued its attraction as a scenic and productive valley. I have friends who have been innovative primary producers generating an awareness of the diverse quality high-value produce that the area can boast.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Project-Application No SSD-5156and the Stratford Coal Extension Project -Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1As a regular visitor to Gloucester I cannot see how an open-cutcoal 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 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 and the combination of heavy vehicles, a large grey nomad population and local traffic is not a good mix using existing road infrastructure.

The mine is just a short distance from homes and families. The health impacts must 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 deeply worried, knowing that a mine is to be built on their doorstep.

I strongly urge the NSW Government not to approve this mine.

Yours sincerely,

We need jobs if this doesn't go through Gloucester will become more of a ghost town more then what it is heading towards if the council and tree huggers get there way just like the agl gas shut down .Ask how many use gas to cook and heat there house that stopped it .i have lived near stratford mine which is less then 700 metres from my door .it was alright for Gloucester shire and everyone else to take there money over the years but we will back stab in the back now lots of DOUBLE standards everone in the shire .What would Gloucester be if no Stratford coal mine started over 20 years ago with no timber mill no dairy farms and any other company wanted to start u got squashed out

I OPPOSE THE PROPOSED OPEN CUT COAL MINE LISTED AT ROCKY HILL/GLOUCESTER
I AM A MEMBER OF THE MANNING CLEAN WATER ACTION GROUP. PROMOTING CLEAN AIR, SAFE WATER AND GOOD FOOD PRODUCTION. THE MANNING RIVER WHICH IS DOWNSTREAM FROM GLOUCESTER AREA DEPENDS ON SAFETY IN OUR WATER FOR HEALTH OF INHABITANTS, MARINE FARMERS, ORGANIC FARMERS, LIVESTOCK, VEGETATION AND TOURISM. i AGREE WITH THE MIDCOAST COUNCIL DECISION THAT THAT THIS MINE IS DEFINITELY IN THE WRONG POSITION. ACCIDENTS MAY TRY TO BE AVOIDED, BUT REALITY IS THEY DO HAPPEN AND NO DENYING IT-

THE LONGTERM GAIN IS NOT WORTH THE LONGTERM DESTRUCTION.
THE MAJORITY OFTHE MANNING UNITING CHURCH MEMBERS OF TAREE HAVE SIGNED A PETITION AGAINST THE PROPOSED MINE AND PROCESSING AREA AND THESE HAVE BEEN FORWARDED AGAINST THESE STATE-SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS WHICH COME UNDER THE DEPT OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT.

I oppose the rocky Hill coal Mine. The effect of dust on the general public health from a mine so close to the township of Gloucester will be enormous, we already receive dust from the existing mines further south when we have southerly winds and this will make the problem much worse.

I object to the Rocky Hill mine.
Environmentally it is unsafe - black lung, poisoning aquifers, consume too much ground water (taking from farms), loss of habitat, unable to rehabilitate - and all mines and mining companies are the same (look at past track records in australia) in not being able to fund clean-up, or protect the environment.
Economically it is unviable - global downturn in coal is going to get worse, not better. Many mines are being closed &/or run at a loss at the moment. Opening a new mine in this economic climate is not good business.
Economically it will devastate the Gloster tourism and farming and real estate prices with not benefit to the community.
The mine is too close to residential areas, schools, businesses and the pollution, trucks, noise will negatively affect business and health of people (yes, wind can blow coal dust particles over 5km - black lung and lawsuits will come the way of those that allow this mine).

I fully support this project as it is the only way many locals have employment. If it is cancelled the town will lose a vital community donator for many groups.

We won't have much of a town without it as all the busness will lose a income from the workers and their family's as the will have to move away to get other employment. So I fully support it .

Dear Sir/Madam
I am opposed to the Rocky Hill Coal Project and the Stratford Mine Modification.
Among my many objections are the following:
* Proximity to Gloucester town. The mine is planned to be sited within 900 metres of 30 family homes and within five kilometres of the town and schools. The health risk to the people living so close to the mine will be considerable and even those of us living further away will be impacted as we spend much of our time in the town centre, playing sport, attending functions and shopping.
* The noise impact will be considerable for those nearby. Low-frequency noise from mining machinery can cause stress and cognitive impairment. As well as this, the noise from blasting and truck movements will be cumulative.
* Air pollution from blasting when the dust will, without doubt be blown by the prevailing wind towards housing and the town. Diesel engines from both the mining machinery and the many truck movements will produce fine particulates which I understand can affect respiratory and cardiovascular health.
* Water contamination. I fear that water produced in the mining process will contain unacceptable amounts of saline and contaminants which may end up in our waterways.
* Impact on physical and mental Health. Besides the physical health threats from dust and diesel particulates, there are mental health impacts which have already been devastating. Are these people just considered collateral damage?
* Uncertainty. This process has been going on for ten years now. The Gloucester community has no idea which way things will go. For those who are planning to build or enhance their properties, there is great uncertainly and many householders have already lost much of their property value. Besides the financial strain there has been major psychological damage to a number of people resulting in depression and suicidal symptoms.
It would seem that after the first Application was scrutinised and found wanting, GRL was able to withdraw and address some of the issues raised by the Submissions against the proposal at that time. How many more times will this be allowed to occur before a resolution is arrived at and citizens can go forward?
* Expansion possibilities. This mine will not be the end of the matter. There is a real probability that more stages will be opened up in the future. This will just be the thin end of the wedge.

Many of us feel that we will have no option but to leave town if the mine goes ahead.
The application for the Rocky Hill mine should be refused.

Yours faithfully,
Hilary Kite

I have not made a reportable political donation.

RE: Submission for the Rocky Hill Coal Project - Application No SSD-5156. Stratford Coal Extension Project - Application No SSD-4966 MOD 1

I completely oppose the above projects.

I have friends who live in Gloucester who are totally opposed to the mine. They have told me where the mine will be and I am 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.

I have been a visitor to the area for years, attracted by its unique beauty and natural scenery.

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.

Our friends are very concerned about 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.

I ask that the NSW Planning Department do the right thing and not approve this mine, which will affect so many people in a negative way.

I cannot see how going ahead could ever be justified.

Yours faithfully,

The importance of the approval of the Rocky Hill coal mine can not be understated, as the future economic viability of the Gloucester area will depend on it.
As a third generation local born in the area, I have seen this town go though many economic challenges over the last sixty years, with the demise of the cattle, dairy ,and timber industries, The opening of the Stratford mine saved many jobs in last twenty years and kept many local families employed who otherwise would have left the area in search of work.
As the mining industry has restructured over the last five years the commercial sector of Gloucester is now starting to feel the effect. I operate in the main street and talk to many owners every day, who relate this information to me, of which three have said they will be closing their doors if this mine does not go ahead.
Unfortunately the town has a noisy minority, the majority of who have no embedded history in town and do nothing but decimate the areas reputation, by causing division in what was once a tight knit community with complete fabrication of the truth and rumormungering.
I have got to know the members of the GRL management and find them to be genuine in their endeavors to become good corporate citizens, with the ability to employ many working families and only add to further the prosperity of the town. To my knowledge they have ticked most of the stringent conditions set by your department and therefore should be allowed to continue once the process is completed.
All I ask is you listen to the real people of Gloucester and not the people who endeavor to denigrate our town.

I am writing in support of Gloucester Resources Ltd (GRL) to an Open Cut Coal Mine in
Gloucester for thermal coal.

My parents moved to Gloucester from Sydney after the WW2 and set up a new dairy enterprise at Spring Creek where my brother and myself were raised. We attended local Schools in the area and also were both gainfully employed in Gloucester after leaving School.
When the Stratford Coal first started operations in Gloucester they were welcomed with open arms as Gloucester had lost the following businesses: -

1) Milk & Cheese Factory
2)Timber Industry
3)Dairy Industry was deregulated which led to many dairies closing down. These dairies had been able to support raising a family, paying off family farms and a huge revenue for the Gloucester business community eg., mechanical repairs (there were three garages in Gloucester all employing people), tyres without purchase of food.
4)Closure of Banks
There are too many unemployed young people in Gloucester today due to lack of employment opportunities which leads to major social problems for families and the community.
GRL will provide essential employment for our town, which is urgently needed, as we are losing the younger generation with families, which are the life blood of a community and will sustain Gloucester's future.
Gloucester is attracting the older generation (who retire here after for example selling their home for a generous price along with superannuation) and really do not contribute as much financially to the economic viability of the town as Agriculture sector and local industries.
GRL are involved in Dairying and Grazing which will co-exist with an open cut coal mine.
It is important that we have employment for our younger generation for the future of our town.

I oppose the Rocky Hill coal mine for the following reasons.

1. The proposed development should not be allowed on prime agricultural land. It would be a blight on the beautiful Gloucester Valley and detrimental to the agricultural and tourism potential of the region.

2. The development is far too close to the township of Gloucester with the threat of noise, air(dust) and visual pollution being unacceptable.

3. It can be demonstrated that mining does not bring with it the expected benefits to local infrastructure. The example to cite is the atrocious state of the Bucketts Way.

4. Australia should be concentrating on developing renewable energy technology and moving away from high carbon emission energy sources such as coal.

5. This proposal has caused great division within our community.

A coal mine at Gloucester has social, environmental and aesthetic impacts. Why should the mining of a product that is being rightly fazed out as unsustainable due to its environmental impacts be allowed to profoundly impact the people, the land and the farming and tourism culture of the valley? Who has the ethical right to impose potential hazards to the air and water supply that Mid Coast Water holds up to us as first class? What about the mental and emotional impacts on a people who see, hear and feel their valley scarred? Have we come to this that this beautiful town and valley can be so exploited?

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine. I'm a fifth generation resident of the area & I value its clean air & water and outstanding natural beauty. I believe The Rocky Hill project, if approved, will damage Gloucester's reputation as a source of "clean, green" food & as a tourism & treechange destination & therefore impact on existing sustainable industries. I believe the proposed mine is too close to the township of Gloucester & would be detrimental to the health of the residents. I have seen the entire floor of the Avon valley covered in flood water & do not believe it is a suitable location for an open cut mine with potential consequences for the water supply of communities further downstream.

I oppose the Rocky Hill Coal Mine.
Catastrophic climate change is recognised by the scientific community the world over to be driven by the burning of fossil fuels.
Opening new coal mines is the very worst thing that anyone, anywhere could do.
Renewable energy projects would employ more people than coal mines do. We need to build the political will to get a sane and clean energy future happening.
Aside from the threat to all life on the planet posed by coal mining, the Rocky Hill project would impact negatively at the local level by threatening water and air quality, and by diminishing Gloucester's value as a tourist attraction.
Please do not approve this mine.