Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension

This mine expansion would have detrimental effects on the health, welfare and wellbeing of the residents of Wollar.
It will have detrimental effects on the native flora and fauna.
It will have detrimental effects on the indigenous heritage of the area.
The financial and economic future of coal mining is bleak, there will be no profit in it, and no available finances to properly rehabilitate the land after the mine has closed.
Please see sense, and look to the future.

These seem very good reasons not to go ahead with this proposal.
Here are some key points you may like to raise: The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered. The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate. Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015. The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not beent.
Coal is not the way ahead for the future of our planet.

I don't understand the proposal to expand an existing mine (and object to this proposal) on the grounds that coal exports are 1) attracting poor/ low prices and will continue to do so and 2) Peabody's seems to be in financial trouble - if so who will be picking up the bill for cleaning up the environment of the existing operation let alone the proposed expansion should it go ahead?
Doesn't make any sense unless deals have been done........and I think the people of NSW will think the same.

Then there are the poor people who live close to the proposed mine extension. What is to become of them and will there be court cases and commissions looking into this in the future - ie will this come back to haunt the current Government?

I am totally opposed to this mine extension.

My concern is particularly about the removal of 354 ha of remnant native vegetation which will have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.

The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve. This is disastrous for the fauna in the Reserve. I am a biologist; for the past 30 years I have been a member of a team has monitored the birds at Munghorn Gap for a total of 50 years. A longitudinal study of that length is almost unique in Australian biodiversity research and extremely valuable for tracking changes in the avifauna. Munghorn Gap was chosen for the research because of it is at a low point in the Great Dividing Range which facilitates movement between inland and coastal birds, resulting in a rich avifauna. Regent Honeyeater is only one of 8 or 10 threatened birds that are recorded at Munghorn Gap. It is also important for other fauna and koalas have recently been reported in the area.

We camp at Munghorn Gap 3 or 4 times each year and in recent years we have seen the artificial illumination and heard the noise of mining operations all night.

Extension of mining in the area also threatens ground and surface water. 'The Spring' near Moolarben Picnic Area used to fill a concrete trough that was built about a century ago. In the last two years the route of water flowing from the spring has changed and the trough has been dry. I believe that was caused by mining operations nearby. That spring is critical to the health of the birdlife around Munghhorn Gap.

I would like to submit an objection to the proposed extensions to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine threatening the nearby small community of Wollar.

I may live in Coonabarabran but I see this proposal as one more burden for small inland communities in what appears to be a campaign to depopulate the bush and destroy natural areas.

It is a known fact that the development of coal mines increases the amount of noise, dust and light pollution in the surrounding area. This impacts the human population of the area causing detrimental effects on health. People who have established their lives in these areas should not be forced to leave to satisfy the hunger for profits of mining giants like Peabody. There is already a cumulative loss of people in the Wollar/Bylong area.

It also impacts on the natural values of an area. More than 350 hectares of the remaining native vegetation will be removed. The fauna living in there will not be able to move to the inadequate offsets promised by the company because either they are not yet functioning ecosystems or they are and already have a full complement of inhabitants.

Each additional approval extends the cumulative effects of the mines and further encroaches upon an already depleted natural landscape. This proposal even takes away an existing buffer zone for Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.

To deal with Aboriginal heritage values by asking if there are any artifacts in the area they propose to mine ignores the value they place on regional landscape, not just individual place.

Should this proposal go ahead we, the people, will be left with 3 massive voids in the landscape as well as mountains of tailings marching across the countryside. Groundwater will drain from the surrounding country into the voids for centuries to come, becoming more toxic with time. Tailings dumps will require ongoing rehabilitation but even then they are unlikely to ever develop functioning ecosystems.

Peabody is already in some financial difficulty. What is to stop them selling the spent mine on at the end of its life to some small cowboy outfit which could never fulfill its rehabilitation responsibilities?

The big miners exaggerate the jobs to be created, and the benefits to the community. The profits they make go elsewhere, in this case Peabody is an overseas company. The costs fall on the people who live near them and, in the long run, on the taxpayer. The coal is low quality and the environmental and social damage is inestimable. The extension should not be allowed.

Jane Judd
Coonabarabran
[email protected]

I object to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension project for a number of reasons.

1. Effects on local community. The extension is proposed to reach to within 1.5 kms of the village of Wollar. The dust and noise from the mine and transport to and from the mine will increase to levels which will negatively affect people's physical and mental health and daily lifestyle, leading to people leaving their town and devaluing their properties.

2. Increased environmental degradation locally and in greenhouse gases in general. Australia has been part of the Paris Climate Summit. To support coal-mining (and therefore support coal burning for power generation) is a retrograde step which will only increase the damage done through climate change, both here and overseas. Further, to extend this project is to further reduce habitat for our unique Australian fauna and flora which is already under threat and becoming extinct at an alarming rate.

3. Uncertain financial capacity of the Peabody mining company. It is public knowledge that this company is in serious financial difficulty. If allowed to go ahead, there is no guarantee that if the mine needs to shut down, the environmental damage done will be repaired when the company leaves, as mining companies are supposed to do. Will our government have to pick up the tab or will a gaping coal crater be the inheritance of the Hunter Valley?

I need to voice my opposition to the coal mine & its expansion that will encroach on the local community of Wollar. The harm to our environment from more polluting coal is totally unacceptable, not to mention the increase of dust and noise for the residents. We need to be cutting back on dirty energy not expanding. The public has made it quite clear that we want clean, renewable energy that does not contribute to climate change and global warming. Coal is dirty & an outdated form of energy that for some reason our current government refuses to let go of. Coal no longer has a place in a clean, green world so lets phase out coal mines; not support their expansion.

I am against extension of the mine because water sources and greenhouse gas emissions have not been assessed or analysed scientifically or/and without bias. There will be massive negative affects on the bio diversity of the entire region and beyond.

The reverberating impact on ground and surface water systems will be far greater than anticipated or reported.

This proposal to continue extraction of poor-quality coal yet causing heavy irreversible environmental impaction and damage to the society in the immediate and far reaching surrounding area can never be justified.

Current reports suggest Peabody Energy is in on shaky ground financially,and may be unable to meet all the obligations which may arise from this heavily negative and destructive project..

Negative and long range affects on the community and rural industry have not been rigorously or realistically assessed.

This extension project will leave three disfiguring end voids which will permanently scar our beautiful landscape and harm waterways and wildlife for probably thousands of years.

This whole extension project is in blatant disregard with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord and should
be abandoned in favor of the future of our land and the Aborigine's land.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of my request to abandon this project and show respect to our land and our natives.

.





han the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions,
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change.
The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.


The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.

The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.

I do not support the extension of this mine on environmental grounds

I am writing this in the middle of a record breaking heatwave in NSW. How much more proof is needed that the approval of more coal mines is completely against the public interest of everyone, including miners? We should be phasing out coal and other fossil fuels and training miners for other jobs.

The proposed extensions will not only harm our climate but will drastically affect local water sources, damage the local environment, undermine the health of all nearby residents (adding major health costs in the future), and impact on aboriginal heritage.

I am opposed to the mine extension. I am very familiar with the area as I have been carrying out a wildlife study in the adjacent Munghorn Gap NR for the past 30 years. Munghorn Gap is one of the more important reserves in NSW, it supports a wide range of vulnerable and endangered fauna such as Regent Honeyeater, Brown Treecreeper and Diamond Firetail. These species are reliant on a regular water supply which flows from a spring in Munghorn Gap(MG) , which has never stopped flowing in living memory. Any expansion of the mine closer to MG will endanger this spring as it is likely that the water table and aquifers will be impacted. If this spring fails all these species will be lost to the area and NSW will be the poorer. Currently, there are less than 500 Regent Honeyeaters left in Australia and it is one of the most endangered species in Australia. Any development that could impact on their habitat should be opposed automatically due to the critical status of this species. All for a relatively short time extension for the mine.
The mine owner is in serious financial strife and it is unlikely it could afford to fund the expansion and they have already indicated that some of their mines are for sale. If is very likely that if this extension is approved, the mines sale price will be higher, and that is what is driving this extension.
As to the supply of coal to Bayswater and Liddell Power stations, the are plenty of other mines in the area that can easily supply these power stations. Already many of the mines exporting are not profitable and I am sure would be very happy to supply AGL instead.
There are currently three large mines in this area and the cumulative impact there are having on the local environment is significant. There is more dust in the air, at night the lights from the mining operation have lightened the sky and there is continuous noise from the mine operation. Wollar is already suffering from the mines in the area and this expansion will be the death knell of this village.
Finally, the overall water quality in the Goulburn River will suffer from this expansion, as again the mine's owners cannot guarantee that there won't be an impact on the aquifers and the river.

I know your rich friends want returns on the money they give to you but you really need to stop propping up this dirty, destructive industry and let it die its timely and natural death.This expansion will ruin lives and damage the planet for the sake of individual greed. Do whats best for the people you represent instead of yourselves.

I would like to express my support of the Wilpinjong mine extension request as I believe it would be of great benefit to current and future staff members and their families as it would ensure the longevity of the mine and the security of our jobs. I am currently employed at the mine and live in Mudgee and have a mortgage here and can only see the extension as a positive for our town and its development.

It is time Australia and it's politicians attempted to rid us of our association with coal and the damage it is doing to the environment. At the Paris Climate Summit Mr Turnbull blathered on about what we would do, came back and ignored everything he said. He and his government are in the process of dismantling Renewable Energy Commission. As long as politicians are taking donations from the coal industry they will pander to their demands. I see this as a bribe for favours which most politicians are more than happy with. They have no shame.

I am strongly opposed to the proposed extension of this exisitng mine.
This dirty industry is destroying precious native habitat, making the town of Wollar unpleasant and unhealthy to live in, reducing real estate prices in the town and contributing to the effects of Climate Change.
Please see sense in not extending this horrible mine.

I object to any expansion of any coal mining activity no matter where it may be located. In particular, I object to the unfair, unreasonable and bullying tactics traditionally used by mining companies to get their way when confronted by an "intransigent" landowner.
No township should be forced to endure the trauma, noise and dust pollution that will be generated by the expansion of a mine to within 1.5km of the town. Monitoring of air quality should not be left to the miners. It is imperative that an independent monitoring regime - perhaps operated by NSW Health, but NOT by the Dept of Planning due to a perception of conflict of interest.

To whom it may concern,

I am concerned about the social and environmental impacts of the extension of the Wilpinjong Mine.
Social impacts include loss of population through the effects of the mine. No one wants to live on the edge of a mine. There is substantial evidence of the disastrous health implications of living near mines, why would anyone want to take the risk with their families? Decreased population effects the viability not only of Wollar as a town but the whole region.

The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
These are some of the local environmental concerns. Not to mention the global concerns as we face climate change beyond our control and knowledge at just 2 degrees warming.
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.

The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context. It is time to value Aboriginal heritage and spirituality rather than constantly trashing it. This is an equity and justice issue for Indigenous people.

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered. The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate. Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015. The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed. The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord. The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context. The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years. The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal. Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations. The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

People are MORE IMPORTANT than another useless coalmine!

I object very strongly to the Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension Project for the following reasons:
* The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
* The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
* The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate.
* Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
* The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
* The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
* The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
* The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
* The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
* The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
* The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
* The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
* Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations.
* The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
* The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

Extension of the Wilpinjong coalmine is unconscionable, unethical and indefensible. 2015 was the hottest year on record and 2016 is predicted to get even hotter. Australians are amongst the biggest climate polluters per capita. Burning coal is dirty, outdated, and causes climate change. Mining so close to an established town isn't fair to the inhabitants. Please consider the following points:
The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations.
The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

Please do not allow the mine extension to go ahead. I object to it. I object to it. I object to it.

yours truly
Deborah Lilly