Springvale Coal Mine Extension

The Executive Manager,
Mining and Industry Projects
NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sirs

State Significant Project - Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594)

I have been into this area and it is such an emotive place of wonder and tranquility.
I am most concerned to ensure you protect the important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region that must NOT be damaged by longwall coal mining;instead they must remain protected in a state conservation area.
The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations. Clearly they are have degraded the environment which is now fragile and which cannot be returned to its original state with any level of reparations.
The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured. The area is now TOO FRAGILE.
The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by any new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it. This is of critical importance to the wildlife and original peoples environement dependent on this pure source.
Please require Centennial to revise this proposal such that they improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged. A competent and independent risk assessment should be undertaken to the highest international standards.
Yours faithfully,
Garry Richardson

I don't want to see this coal project go ahead. The project area covers significant swamps, pagodas, and stream environments within the unique 'Gardens of Stone'.

Longwall coal mining is utterly inappropriate within the Gardens of Stone Region; an approval for Centennial Coal is particularly problematic given the damage their mine in the Newnes Plateau area did (and for which they received a large fine).

The State Government should be looking to declare this area a National Park or State Conservation area to protect its outstanding environmental values.

If development is to be considered, then at a minimum, the Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.

Centennial Coal's proposal needs to ensure that Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged; that the sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured; that any produced water is effectively treated to avoid contamination of pristine waters, and that Newnes Plateau sustains no further damage from the development.

Yours truly

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to lodge an objection to this application for the following reasons:

- This area is of great national significance and should not be open to mining.

- Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.

- The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.

- Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.

- The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.

- The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.

- The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.

- Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.

- Please, at very least, require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged. However, the best option would be for this proposal to be rejected and the area protected as a state conservation area.

Yours sincerely,

Jan O'Leary

Springvale plays a major part in supplying coal for local electricity, it supports a local workforce for over 300 employees and has a good track record of mining in our local area with minimal impacts to people that live here and our local environment. Springvale also has involvement in local sporting and community groups which is possible by having local employment opportunities, it supports local businesses and services by spending my salary locally and my family has a history of living here which would be affected by the prospects of job relocation. Springvale has helped my family and I to achieve what we have today a family home and security with my kids future.

I vigorously oppose the Angus Place and Springvale longwall mining extensions on the grounds that they will destroy ecologically valuable wetlands and will pollute Sydney's drinking water from the Cox's river.

I ask that the proposed extensions be made subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.

To Whom it may concern:

Have bush walked in these areas, Worked close to these areas, driven past these areas for many years & also flown over the Capertee Valley area. Many years ago.

I believe emphatically that these areas must be kept in their pristine state for the benefit of future generations.

My firm belief is that we could be switching to renewable energy sources. Fossil fuel mining is out. It is destructive to the land, soil, water resources & environment & should be stopped.

I agree with all of the below:

Dear Sir/Madam,

State Significant Project - Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594)

Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.
Yours sincerely,

Suzanne barr

*Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
*The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
*Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
*The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
*The proposed discharge of up to 43.8 megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
*The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
*Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
*Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.
Yours sincerely,
J M B (Bart) Beech

# Springvale will continue to support local people with more employment opportunities.
# Springvale continues to meet enviromental requirements .
# Springvale plays a big part in suppling coal for local electricity and industries.
# Springvale are always supporting local businesses and sporting associations.

I was born and raised here, and I am now raising my family here, the thought of relocating would be devastating for us all. Our family would be placed in hardship if Springvale was to close down

In total, all 73 nationally endangered swamps can be damaged by cracking of the underlying sandstone rock due to the proposed mining.The lower groundwater levels in turn will cause these nationally endangered swamps to dry out. The peat soils that support these swamps will then decompose and over a period of years eucalypts and banksias will migrate into the dying swamps as they evolve into dry land communities. This damage would also kill the many threatened plants and animals supported by these swamps, including the giant dragonfly. In fact, these swamps are so often destroyed by longwall coal mining that scientists have described such mining as a 'key threatening process'.

The combined effluent discharge from both mines will be 43.8ML/day in 2023. This eco-toxic effluent will discharge 30.8 tonnes/day (or 11,247 tonnes/year) of metal-rich salts to the Coxs River that supplies Sydney with drinking water.

Our water supply is more important than outdated coal mining that leaves with heavy metal toxic residue.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re:State Significant Project - Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594)

Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.

Yours sincerely,

Eli Ryan Bendall

Dear Sir/Madam,

State Significant Project - Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594)

I, my family & most people I have discussed the projected environmental damage to Gardens of Stone, including endangered swamps and adjacent waterways by this mining proposal STRONGLY OBJECT to the proposed Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594).

As you are well aware Centennial Coal has already extensively & severely damaged parts of the Newnes Plateau so it is totally unacceptable that they be allowed to conduct any further activities which have the potential for environmental damage including land subsidence, cracking of underlying rock, leaking/draining of swamps, discharge of metal salt rich effluent into surrounding waterways etc in such environmentally sensitive and unique areas (like the Gardens of Stone region).

Here are some points which I have been made aware of in my research, which I have carefully read & considered & WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with:

*Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
*The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
*Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
*The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
*The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
*The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
*Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
*Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.

Yours sincerely,

Marc Cottee & family

Submission re proposals by Centennial Coal for long wall coal mining extension in the Springvale area.

The Springvale and adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings to prevent further environmental damage similar to that caused by the same company in other areas of environmental significance.

Centennial Coal has already caused damage to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.

Centennial Coal must be required to revise its proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must be protected from damage.

Centennial Coal's proposal to discharge up to 43.8 megalitres/day of eco-toxic mine effluent is unacceptable.

This effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River, which flows through the Blue Mountains National Park.

Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.

Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I oppose the Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594).

Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.

The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.

Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.

The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.

The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.

The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.

Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.

Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.

Sincerely,

Jeroen van Kernebeek

I strongly object to the proposed extension of the Springvale long wall mine, due to the adverse impact it will have on Carne Creek and the Wolgan River, Marangaroo and Bunglebouri Creek headwaters. It will create significant subsidence to the plateau, causing deep cracking and fracturing of the area. This cracking will cause groundwater aquifers to drop by up to 10 metres. Nationally endangered swamps and their flora and fauna will be irreparably damaged. In addition, 30 tonnes of toxic effluent will be discharged daily into the Coxs River which supplies Sydney's drinking water. I urge you to reject this application and protect the wonderful Gardens of Stone region, making it a protected state conservation area.

Our Company has been operating in this area for a period of forty years. The Majority of our work consists of supplying services in the form of fabrication and maintenance for both Angus Place and Springvale Collieries.

We employ a total of sixteen full time employees, consisting of, tradesmen, apprentices labourers and office staff.

This company depends largely on the ongoing operation of centennial coal, both Angus Place and Springvale Collieries to ensure our future and the future of our employees and their families.

Our workforce consists of all local personnel, all of whom have families, residing, working and attending school in this area, thus contributing to the local economy, schools, sporting and community groups. Without these proposed extensions to Angus Place and Springvale Collieries our ongoing operations would be largely compromised.

The coal industry in this region is vital, it supplies us all with employment and opportunity for us, our youth and the local business' to work and prosper, therefore a favourable outcome to this proposal is vital to the future development of our community and region.

Although my husband and myself don't work for the mines directly. We have seen the effect of down sizing in this area. It is not just the miners that suffer it is all business in town. The extension would be great for the area miners or not.

I object to this proposed extension of longwall mining by Centennial Coal that will impact on 1,860 hectares of forest on the Newnes Plateau for the following critical reasons:

* This proposed mining will cause unacceptable environmental impacts to important swamps, cliffs, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region. Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.4 million in reparations in 2011.

* All 1,860 hectares affected by the proposed longwall mining will be subject to surface cracking. Whole sub-catchments will be fractured to a depth of 15 to 20 metres. Surface groundwater aquifers will become more permeable and interconnected. Centennial predicts surface aquifer drawdown to range from 10 metres under ridges to 0.5 metres under shrub swamps.

* The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, and particularly the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal, will also develop a large number of fractures. Centennial predicts these cracks to be 5 to 50mm wide and 10 to 15 metres deep. All these nationally endangered swamps will dry out and the peat soils that support these swamps will decompose. Over a period of years eucalypts and banksias will migrate into these dying swamps as they evolve to dry land communities.

* Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. It is home to endangered platypus, today a rarity in this area. This creek was a key determinant in the location of the Emirates eco-resort. The extensive fracturing of the sandstone associated with longwall mining of headwater swamps will release high levels of metals, notably manganese and iron, polluting Carne Creek so that it will run bright orange as was the case with the Wolgan River in the past. Flows in Carne Creek will also become irregular. Bungleboori Creek will also be affected.

* The potential damage to the aquifers and the health of the Wolgan River environment will have significant impact on the Newnes area as a tourism destination.

* Damage to Carne Creek will have serious consequences for the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa.

Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Lowering the intensity of mining will avoid damage to Carne Creek, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps that the current proposal puts at risk.

State Significant Project - Springvale Mine Extension (SSD 12_5594)

I fully support all the community concerns submitting the following

Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
Please require Centennial to revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.

Springvale will continue to support a local workforce of over 300 employees-my husband being one of those.
Springvale have a good track record of mining in our local area with minimal impact on people living here and minimal impact also on the enviroment.
Springvale provide and play a big part in supply for local electricity generation.
My husband and I are grateful to have jobs in our local area where we chose to leave. It would be devastating for us if my husband had to relocate to another area due to a job relocation.

I am a frequent visitor to the Gardens of Stone, and believe that this area has such profound cultural and physical heritage values that it should be preserved. Damage from mining is apparent throughout the area and I strongly believe that any future mine expansions that add to this damage should not be allowed.

In particular:
- Important swamps, pagodas, and stream environments in this significant part of the Gardens of Stone region must not be damaged by longwall coal mining but instead protected in a state conservation area.
- The Springvale and the adjoining Angus Place mine extension proposals must be subject to a Planning Assessment Commission review with concurrent Public Hearings.
- Centennial Coal must not be allowed to simply replicate the damage it has already caused to nationally threatened upland swamps on the Newnes Plateau for which it was required by the Commonwealth Government to pay $1.45 million in reparations.
- The sandstone rock supporting the 41 nationally endangered swamps, including the 11 shrub swamps affected by the proposal must not be fractured.
- The proposed discharge of up to 43.8megalitres/day eco-toxic mine effluent must be treated by reverse osmosis technology to remove all metals and salts before discharge to the Coxs River.
- The scenic western edge of the Newnes Plateau must be protected from further scarring by new roads, pipeline and electricity easements.
- Carne Creek is currently in a pristine state, and its waters that flow through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area are of the highest standard. This creek must not run bright orange or suffer reduced flows, just like the Wolgan River after Centennial Coal wrecked it.
Please require Centennial to either fancel their expansion plans or revise this proposal to improve environmental outcomes. Carne and Bungleboori Creeks, pagodas, cliffs and the many nationally endangered swamps must not be damaged.

Yours sincerely,
Lynda Paju