Wallarah 2 Coal Mine

I object to the Amended Development Application for the Wallarah 2 coal mine. The amended application does not reduce the overall impacts of the mine proposal, which far exceed any benefits it would bring to NSW.

The proposed mine:

Poses a serious risk to Wyong's drinking water supply. It will undermine a major tributary and the void is modelled to soak up 2.5 million litres of water per day for at least 500 years - water diverted from creek and groundwater systems. For these reasons, the mine is opposed by the Central Coast Water Corporation.

Is opposed by Darkinjung traditional owners, who are disgusted with the arrogance the mine proponent has shown them. Rather than seek to make amends with the Darkinjung land council, the company has sought to cut them out of the process.

Is opposed by the directly affected communities of the Dooralong Valley, Blue Haven, and Wyee areas, whose health and livelihoods are threatened by the project. It is unfair and undemocratic to ask local residents to bear the impacts of a project that will provide no overall public benefit.

Is of highly dubious commercial viability. The ultimate owners of the project, the Korean Government, recently announced a strategic restructure for their resources companies, including Kores, away from thermal coal. In fact, the thermal coal industry is in the throes of terminal decline - many analysts expect the market will never recover, in the face of accelerating global climate change and the rapid development of renewable energy. The "economic assessment" put forward by the mine proponents is completely untrustworthy, and there is no reason to expect the mine would provide the long term financial benefits to NSW - in the form of jobs and royalties - that are promised.

An extract from Wikipedia give an outline on the impact coal mining have on the environment and the people. The environmental impact of the coal industry includes issues such as land use, waste management, water and air pollution, caused by the coal mining, processing and the use of its products. In addition to atmospheric pollution, coal burning produces hundreds of millions of tons of solid waste products annually, including fly ash, bottom ash, and flue-gas desulfurization sludge, that contain mercury, uranium, thorium, arsenic, and other heavy metals.

There are severe health effects caused by burning coal. According to a report by the World Health Organization in 2008, coal particulates pollution are estimated to shorten approximately 1,000,000 lives annually worldwide. A 2004 study commissioned by environmental groups, but contested by the US EPA, concluded that coal burning costs 24,000 lives a year in the United States. Coal mining generates significant adverse environmental impacts.

As this project offers significant benefit to the local community and economy I wholeheartedly support it.

I am concerned the government would allow this mining operation to be carried out so close to residential premises. Particularly the coal loader, rail spire etc which is very close to the Blue Haven township. The proposal for the mine states the infrastructure and mine will run 24 hours per day 7 days per week which leads me to believe there will be considerable noise pollution from this development, especially late at night, and overnight. Another consideration is the effect this mine will have on house prices in the surrounding area, especially those homes located at Blue Haven very close to the coal loading facilities. The area of the Central coast is already in a housing crisis with not enough housing available to satisfy the needs of the existing population. It is very difficult at present to secure rental accommodation in the area due to the numbers of people looking for houses compared to the number of houses available. This is a big concern as the mine proposal is expected to create around 1000 jobs ongoing which is great, some of these will come from the local area but many employees will be relocating here due to their mining experience which is going to place additional strain on an already stretched housing market. I am also concerned by possible damage to the drinking water supply for the area and find any chance of degradation to our drinking water supply to be unacceptable. Blue haven already has quite a lower water pressure at our taps and with the mine utilising water resources, it is likely this will cause a further degradation in water supply, and water quality overall. The mine void is projected to soak up a massive amount of water per day taking these stocks from surrounding water table and I am concerned this will lead to damage to the Tuggerah lakes system, specifically Budgewoi lake which is already not well maintained. The Wallarah Creek/Spring Creek area is an important recreational waterway and I fear the construction and operation of the mine will cause damage to these waterways.

CONSIDERING THE HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE CENTRAL COAST, I AM IN 100% FULL SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT WILL GIVE TO THE UNEMPLOYED. THE FLOW ON EFFECT FOR LOCAL BUSINESS TO BE ABLE TO EMPLOY MORE WORKERS & THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A RESULT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED IN THIS APPLICATION. ALSO IT IS A FACT THAT WALLARAH 2 COAL PROJECT HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY IN ASSISTING IMPORTANT VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS IN SIGNIFICANT PRACTICAL WAYS, AND I BELIEVE THIS WILL CONTINUE IF THIS PROJECT IS GIVEN APPROVAL. TOO MUCH OF OUR INDUSTRY IS GOING OVERSEAS-WE NEED MORE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY STRONG. I HOPE COMMON SENSE PREVAILS IN APPROVING THIS WORTHWHILE APPLICATION.

WE object strongly to the new application for the Wallerah 2 coalmine:
The project would be a severe risk to the drinking water catchment and is opposed by locals and councils alike. The altering of the original application and amendments do n o t change in any way the facts for the original refusal of the original applications.

We support this project and the employment and economic opportunities it represents.

This submission expresses my objection to government and private investment in this Coal mining venture. There is a net community disservice by even considering allowing this mining operator a right to sacrifice our community assets to mining and of risking long term environmental degradation including those to ground, surface and ocean water and their currently supported ecological communities, air quality, road wear and added vehicle noise. The impact of coal mining throughout Australia and the world has had a long history of permanently degrading the areas they are allowed to operate within and frequently to much wider areas both above and below ground. I also do not support this 18th century industry on the principle that we have far less environmentally damaging and yet potentially very profitable ways to acquire quality and cheap energy today. New energy technologies will better serve the community, have great community support and currently require support and investment from our governing authority. Do not ignore the future or you will be doomed to the past.

I support the project. It will bring many job opportunities and be great for the community.

I believe it is an extremely bad idea to have this Wallarah 2 project go ahead in this region. I have moved to the Central Coast for a healthy and glorious lifestyle in which my family and children can enjoy the riches of nature and what the beautiful Central Coast has to offer. It is our paradise.My family and I bought this home in Blue Haven as a paradise that will be destroyed if this project goes ahead.
This Wallarah 2 project will have tremendous effects on the community in so many ways. Health of my family and friends is of great concern. The cancer causing coal dust being breathed in is a major problem, there is no way that this smart particle dust can be made safe to live near.
Keep the coal dust and industry away from peoples homes and lives.

I am against the Wallarah 2 project because our waterways at Blue Haven, Tuggerah Lakes, and catchment areas will be ruined and will not be able to be recovered. It is known that this catchment area supplies water to 85% of the Central Coast's water and should not be tampered with in any way.
The area with be greatly comprimised by the coal mine going in so close to people's homes and lifestyles. We would never buy a home so close to a coal mine so why would anybody else, this means the values of our homes would lower significantly. If we ever chose to sell our property, then we would make great loss from our investments. We have all worked too hard to have our homes devalued.

This Wallarah 2 Project will be detrimental to not only the people of the Central Coast but also to the Flora and Fauna in the area. With all of the protected animal species and biodiversity in this area, it would have such a irreverseable effect and therefore this Wallarah 2 project should not go ahead ever.

Leave our Coast alone! I am strongly against this Wallarah 2 Project. My family and friends swim in the rivers, catch fish from the lakes, we use this land and take care of it so that future generations can enjoy it too. Our children have good values and know ways to take care of the land and it flora and fauna. The government should also be showing future generations how to enjoy the land and not ruin it with these mines so close to peoples homes and lives. This project will kill our homes, kill our community and kill our hearts if it goes ahead. Say NO and Stay NO. There is no need for this mine so close to established communities.

I very STRONGLY OBJECT to this coal mine at Blue Haven. The 24/7 mine will ruin our lives and out community. My house will be worthless, my health will be comprimised, our paradise will be ruined. This will have no positive effect for this community, just heart ache. Many people will try to move away to save their lives. It will be a terrible place to be.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. Our health will be destroyed, our homes will be in danger, our water catchments will be tainted. There is nothing for this community but devastation and loss. It will ruin a once perfect environment and only leave heartache for everyone who once lived there. We will fight this so that it will never happen. We are strong united.

I STRONGLY OBJECT to the Wallarah 2 Project for all of the below reasons and more:-

Page 85 of the ADA states that the royalties to the State over the proposed and improbable 28 years life of the mine is $200 Million which equates to just over $7 million per annum. With falling coal prices and Government concessional rebates this figure is inflated.
Media reports suggest that the proponent KORES is withdrawing from overseas development due to massive debt ratios - future job prospects, development and environmental repair, compensation and rehabilitation have little hope of being realised.
The NSW government has removed our right to go directly to the Land and Environment Couirt and argue our case on Merit Appeal. Premier Baird has removed that legal right from every community fighting coal or gas in NSW.
Confidential draft documents circulating through Planning Dept suggest "second workings" of coal seams meaning further and greater subsidence over time
Dust remains a real issue for health in the Blue Haven and Wyee precincts despite partial coverage of infrastructure. Pm10 emissions from the site are conservative and do not take into account the changing nature of intense wind and storm events in the recent years. BlueHaven and Wyee townships are now as close as 200 and 400 metres respectively from the new proposal bringing even greater problems for families in the area for both constant dust and noise 24 h/per day with a huge overhead structure on the main rail line and and loading hopper. There are many schools, pre-schools and establishments within 5 kms of the facility and they will suffer from emissions from the site.
Noise exceedences are admitted to for "residences to the north of Bushells Ridge Road at Wyee" and general noise 24 h/per day for those living in BlueHaven and Wyee areas are issue of concern.
Proposals to have an air monitor installed at Wyee have been diverted to an out-of-influence area at Wyong Racecourse thereby distorting air quality readings for the region. Appendix C from the consultants (pages 2 and 3) says "Fugitive emissions can be expected during operation from loading stockpile to conveyor, wind erosion and maintenance of stockpiles and from upcast ventilation shafts"
5270 cubic metres per year of semi-solid salt waste for at least 14 years into underground storage and capacity and salty brine discharges into the Wallarah Creek system. OEH have expressed concerns - the "ultimate fate of the supersaturated salt solution remains unclear"
The consultant's suggestion that "after more than 500 years, water levels in the workings (in the Jilliby Creek/Wyong creek catchment) are predicted to have recovered (and not be of concern)" is unacceptable.
The Mine Subsidence Board accepts only about a quarter of claims over the last ten years and will fight any great expense claimed by those who suffer subsidence. Also only the house itself is covered, while sheds,fences pools etc are exempt from claims.
Wallarah 2 have failed continually to consult with any of the people directly affected by the proposal. They have failed to hold any open public meeting explaining the project
Wallarah 2 have failed to bring to the public any concept drawing of the new conveyor system and loading facility near Blue Haven.

Strongly Disagree with this project. I have seen the effects of these sorts of mines in larger communities. This will absolutely destroy the Central Coast suburbs around this Wallarah 2 proposed area. The communities will not recover and the environment will not recover.
The water catchment will be destroyed and it is too important to 85% of the Central Coast so it should not be tampered with. Do not destroy this community and its environment. It will never be able to be fixed. This is a unique area and should be preserved.

Clean water is a basic requirement of life. The proposed Wallarah 2 Coal Project puts into jeopardy the drinking water of the 300,000 people who live within the Wyong and Gosford area and 53% of the water catchment area supplying these residents. Tragically the O'Farrell government has decided to completely ignore its election promise that "The next Liberal-National government will ensure that mining cannot occur ... in any water catchment area ... no ifs, no buts, a guarantee." Mr O'Farrell said this whilst campaigning because he knew that water catchments are of vital interest to people. But, once in office, all good sense has been put aside, and he plans to ignore his promise and the need for a safe water supply.

This is a sad and recurring theme in the NSW State Government. Below are reasons that I believe explain why this project should be rejected outright.

The recently completed $80 million Mardi-Mangrove pipeline was funded by the Federal Government specifically to transfer water from this system to the Mangrove Dam on the escarpment during flood rains. The valleys above this mine regularly flood as recognised in the proponent's submission.

The site water management is inadequate because almost all management plans are merely observational. Some monitoring plans are not due to be created until two years into the operational life of the mine.

AIR QUALITY AND DUST
Dust and noise from stockpiling and rail movements will impact on the established suburbs of Blue Haven, Wyee and all along the rail corridor from Morisset through Cardiff and southern suburbs to the port of Newcastle. The EIS fails to adequately address these impacts. The project should be refused based on the health risks associated with air pollution from mining, stockpiling and transporting coal.
Short-term exposure to particulate matter pollution can lead to diminished lung function, damage and inflammation of lung tissue, increased mortality rates in children and young adults, aggravation of asthma symptoms, heightened risk of cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues.
FAILURE TO ADDRESS PREVIOUS CONCERNS
The Wallarah 2 Coal Project application has already been refused once, based on the proponent's failure to adequately address issues of water quality, ecological, subsidence and heritage impacts. The proponent has not made any substantial changes to their proposal and it remains to be against the public interest. It should therefore be rejected once and for all.

THREATENED SPECIES
The current EIS lists 37 recorded threatened and migratory fauna species and six vulnerable or endangered flora species within the project site. Many of these species are protected under state and federal legislation as well as international agreements. The key threats to these species include land clearing, change in habitat due to subsidence and alteration of water flow, wetlands and floodplains. All of these threats are possible effects of this project.

CLIMATE CHANGE
Five million tonnes of export grade thermal coal per annum represents a substantial contribution to NSW total carbon emissions and is in conflict with state and federal programs to reduce our contribution to global climate change.

The argument for continued coal-fired electricity in comparison to the long-term investment in renewable energy sources has not been adequately investigated. The government should perform a cost benefit comparison of investing the equivalent amount in renewable energy sources.

I object for the following reasons.
1. Fine coal dust which travels many tens of kilometres is most detrimental to peoples health. I do not wish to live in MID AGES conditions breathing coal dust, nor do I want my children and grandchildren to breathe that dust.

2. Wallarah has an airport, schools and hospital nearby and exentsive residential areas expanding daily. How will opening of the mine result in healthy living for THE ENTIRE CENTRAL COAST.

3. There are no provisions to compensate all the residents who will be affected by the coal dust, unliveable housing, animals, food production and loss of business to business owners.

4. Pollution from the mine will further pollute the neighbouring lakes and ocean with detrimental effect to all wild life on land and in the sea.

5. The method extracting coal is not clear and how this will affect the ground water, mine subsidence and damage to property and houses due to mine subsidence.

I STRONGLY OBJECT TO THE MINE.
The proposed mine:

Poses a serious risk to Wyong's drinking water supply. If governments entities such as Wyong Water object to the mine for valid reasons, why would the Planning and Environment approve this? Surely Wyong Water know what they are talking about.

Why are NON EXPERTS in Planning making these decisions?????????

Where is the public benefit to breathing in coal dust because that is what is now proposed.

What is proposed will kill tourism in northern central coast - after all who want to visit a coal mine.

Where is the public benefit to noise and dirt from the mine.

Other than 100 jobs WHAT about the loss of investment from other investors who will not further develop housing and land next to a mine. Who would want to live next to a mine.

Who will compensate the land owners near the mine for reduction in value of their land.

What about the coal dust killing the animals, polluting the nearby lakes?

On behalf of Full Circle Farm on the Central Coast NSW, I object to the current ADA on exhibition and to the further progression of the Wallarah 2 mine proposal itself.
We are an organic, regenerative farm supplying farm-to-plate food grown in a way that enhances and regenerates our environment and this mine will seriously affect our business. Our street will most certainly experience mine subsidence that will have a detrimental impact on our farm, our business and livelihoods. I find it astonishingly remarkable that I am in the process of applying for a Local Land Services grant, funded BY the government to improve our local ecosystems, especially our waterways, and the SAME government that is encouraging this is allowing this proposed mine to potentially go ahead. How ironic and absurd. The mine has been proven by hard science that it will have a considerable effect on our water catchment, yet the idea still goes ahead.
Further to this point of objection our wider Central Coast community will be exposed to around the clock dust, health issues and noise and water catchment destruction as previously said. ( according to PAC "The project predicts risk of reduced availability of water for the Central Coast Water Supply")
I have seen Wallarah 2 company spread their propaganda promising many jobs for locals, yet it is common knowledge that the long term jobs will need to be filled by experienced operators from other areas of the country.
Our Dooralong Valley is not only beautiful but developing into a thriving agricultural community and needs to be protected from destruction.
I, along with an angry, upset and vigilant community will fight this mine until the end. We simply do not accept a mine so close to our residential area that has been proven that it will have a considerable affect on our Coast's water supply.
Whoever is reading this submission if anyone at all, please I beg you, for the sake of our children and our grandchildren, oppose and stop this mine.