Vickery Mine Extension

attached sub

see attached pdf

Objection to Vickery Extension Project by Mrs Williams OAM,
Bsc Honours in Botany (Sydney University)

Please see attached file

Comments in relation to Vickery Extension Project attached

I am a concerned resident of NSW and feel that this project will have
devasting and long lasting effects on the surrounding communities.
Please see my attached file.

Submission is in attachment

Please see attached letter.

Submission is in attachment

This submission is opposed to the Whitehaven Coal Vickery Coal Project
SSD 7480.

I earnestly urge that the Environmental Impact Assessment for the
Vickery Extension Project (SD_7480) be rejected. Over the past 45
years I have come to appreciate the value of the region around
Boggabri as a school teacher escorting student excursions and as a
member of the wider community concerned at the destruction of
irreplaceable native habitat and threats to our climate, water and
soil posed by the environmentally destructive and economically
retrograde reliance on fossil fuel sponsored by our current State and
Federal Governments. I am particularly concerned for the on-going
viability of the Boggabri community, the incompatibility of the
development with existing land-use and the complete disregard for
intergenerational equity, cumulative impacts and the precautionary
principle shown by the proponent.
It would seem appropriate that the `extension' be considered a new,
rather than extended, proposal including as it does a new coal
railway; a rail load out facility; a new Coal Handling and Processing
Plant; a second bridge over the Namoi River and a new bore field with
an additional 10 bores. From conversation with the community I
understand that many of these changes to the Vickery project have been
presented with little or, as is the case with the new borefield, no
consultation at all. I further understand that there has been a lack
of consultation with the traditional custodians within the Red Chief
Local Aboriginal Land Council boundaries.

Boggabri is obviously in decline, a situation which an extended
Vickery mine with its Drive-in, Drive-out employees can only
exacerbate. On my last visit more shops and another of the three
hotels in town were shut- the promised prosperity has been an
illusion. The sale of over 70 farms to coal mines in the region has
caused a decline in the long-term resident population and local
volunteer services are struggling as a result. Anxiety over the threat
of loss of livelihood is apparent. The promises of economic
stimulation to communities such as Boggabri by Whitehaven, and other
mining companies, simply do not eventuate.

The incompatibility of mining and recent historical land-use is
self-evident; the area adjacent to the proposed mine extension is
strategic agricultural land- the impacts of water and air pollution
will inevitably impact on crops grown there.

One of the areas of study for the student groups travelling to the
area is the Great Artesian Basin and surface and underground water
interdependencies. It must be of concern that no modelling has been
provided for the movement of surface water (in times of flood) after
the construction of the proposed14 km rail spur and no details its
construction. The proximity of the pits to the edge of the Namoi's
alluvial aquifer is also of concern. The Precautionary Principle must
come into play- unless water security can be guaranteed by the
proponent the application should be rejected.

The horrifying loss of Native habitat, evident even to the most casual
visitor, will be increased further by the planned extension. Prime
koala habitat is threatened by the extension of Vickery mine and the
impacts (and cumulative impacts) of habitat loss have been understated
in the EIA. Koalas are listed as an endangered species under NSW and
Commonwealth legislation. In addition, offsets are not apparent for
the Mixed Sedgeland community nor the River Red Gum community which
will be lost should the extension project be approved.

I have noticed the increasing burden on the Kamilaroi Highway of
mining and mine-related traffic. The Road Transport Assessment uses
survey data which is out-dated as it predates the establishment of the
Maules Creek coal mine and the extension of the Boggabri and
Tarrawonga mines. Road transport has grown noticeably with mine
workers, transportation of heavy plant and equipment and increased
road haulage of coal. The current cumulative impacts of all relevant
mines and their use of the Highway must be assessed accurately prior
to approval being granted and a private haul road and highway overpass
should be built prior to any work commencing on the Vickery Coal Mine.

Noise and its insidious effects on the neighbouring community has long
been a concern of community members. The Noise Impact Assessment lacks
an All Years Worst Case Scenario, fails to include key noise producing
infrastructure in its modelling and makes the unlikely claim that the
10 MTPA mine will be quieter than the 4.5 MTPA mine approved in 2015.

I deplore the lack of regard for intergenerational equity inherent in
the proposal; it is unconscionable that we will leave our children a
gaping void and a desecrated landscape simply to effect economies of
scale for a company which has no social licence for its operations.

Letter of support uploaded

Director-Resource And Energy Assessments
Department of Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

25th October 2018


Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Submission - Application Number SSD 7480
Vickery Extension Project - Braymount Road, Gunnedah

I object to the Vickery Coal Mine Extension Project. My concerns are;

Railway
There is a lack of information about the proposed railway loop. The
proposed loop in within 800m of my current residency. How is the
structure going affect the flow of a flood event? Is there going to be
noise monitoring?

Agriculture
My livelihood depends on agriculture, I feel that the
Gunnedah/Boggabri area is at a tipping point in becoming a monoculture
driven by coal excavation. I advise for a number of farmers from the
Boggabri farming and community group. I also share the same views and
concerns they do. Water is one of the most essential products in
producing crops in the Boggabri area. I am afraid that Whitehaven will
miss manage water. I am worried that permanent damage will be done,
and the future productivity of the area will be diminished.

Air Quality
I lived in the Hunter Valley for 2 years. My residence was within
10kms of 3 coal mines. The dust is terrible every time I wished to use
anything outside being chairs, BBQ or even the clothesline I would
have to wash or whip them down. I'm worried that the same will happen
at my current residence due to living within 2km of the Vickery Coal
Mine. The lack of air monitoring system is a serious concern to the
health of the Boggabri community.

Regards,

Amy McAllister

Submission has been uploaded as an attachment - File Attachment 1 named
"Submission - EIS Proposed Vickery Coal Mine Expansion Project - K and
C McIlveen

see attached PDF

Submission attached

Submission letter and attachments provided as two separate attachments
below

See attachments

Please find PDF attached

I attach herewith the Submission of the Wando Conservation and Cultural
Centre Inc.

Please see attached submission.