I have grown up in Muswellbrook and have seen the long term community involvement Bengalla has had with the surrounding commnities for many years. I fear that if the Mount Pleasant modification is approved, it would allow the rail line to remain across the path of the Bengalla mine and will cause the mine to grind to a hault. This would have far reaching implications long beyond the direct loss of jobs and income within the community.

Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification 3
Re: Application Number DA 92/97 MOD 3
To Whom It May Concern
I have lived in the Muswellbrook area for most of my life and in that time I have seen the ebb and flow of economic growth and then decline in our town.
The Mining industry has provided the Upper Hunter with stable employment, donations to the Community and royalties to the State Government to provide better infrastructure, however, global coal prices caused a sharp downturn in recent years which has caused unemployment, financial hardship, along with house and land values plummeting and families leaving the area to find jobs, elsewhere.
Retail stores have closed their doors in our town and anyone wanting select goods and services have to travel or pay higher prices.
We believe that Mach Energy's vision and willingness to work with the Community will promote an economic resurgence in the Muswellbrook area, bringing employment, economic stability and a strong financial future for our area.
My family and I strongly support the Mount Pleasant Mine Modification and we look forward to working with Mach Energy in the coming years.

I am objecting and am concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification will impact not only my family but 600 other families who are Bengalla employees.
My partner has worked at Bengalla for 15 years, in a stable environment which has supported our family. As the bread winner in our house it has provided me the opportunity to work part time so that I can be at home for our child. Bengalla are supporters of family, they believe in family and they believe in their people.
Bengalla has provided support to lots of community organisations. They are supporters of small local businesses and where possible use local businesses for skills.
The best outcome for all involved is that both mines continue for their full life.

Mount Pleasant Operations allows myself and my family to be supported. In the region it will provide an opportunity for many jobs as well as undertaking state of the art mining practices.

The company I work for now employs 75 people (up to 100) on the project build. 75% of the workforce is local or have relocated for the project. Many seeking future opportunities with MTPO and other employers in the region.

The final land form will suit well with the surrounding landscape and rehabilitate land for either future agricultural use or general rehabilitation.

I have worked at Bengalla for 2 years. I am a production technician employed as a contractor through Workpac group.
I originally applied to Bengalla due tp their excellent safety record as well as substantial contribution to the local community through such ways as scholarships, sponsorships, endorsements, and Investment in local businesses.

The Mount Pleasant modification I feel is going to have a direct and indirect impact on Hundreds of local families whose livelihood and future plans depends on Bengalla's long term operation.
I feel in this age there is absolutely no reason an arrangement cannot be made that allows both mines to operate alongside each other in the long term. This would be to the benefit of he local community, the state of NSW, and Australia through way of jobs and revenue raised.

The DA for this mine was made in 1999. The Impact Assessment from 1999 is no longer relevant in 2017.

The environmental, social and economic landscape in this area in 2017 are completely different to those assessed in 1999.

MACH Energy should undertake a new environmental
impact statement this should include the impacts on not just the environment but the economic and social consequences of this modification.

I have three children growing up in the Upper Hunter - I would like them to at least have a broad choice of career and have a positive connection to the community and the place where they grew up. With a mine 'next door' this is hardly a place you want to call home

As an employee of Bengalla Mining Company for the past 10 years I am concerned that the extension of Mt Pleasant development consent until 2026 will impact negatively on job security for myself and 600 other Bengalla employees. Allowing the Mt Pleasant rail infrastructure to remain in place until 2026 is unacceptable and will negatively impact the progression of Bengalla mine.

Bengalla is an integral part of the economic and social fabric of Muswellbrook and surrounding areas, making significant contributions to employment, education, sporting and cultural events that occur in the region. The extension of Mt Pleasant's consent puts this contribution to the community at a significant risk.

Therefore, I do not support this application.

Dear Sir / Madam
I strongly object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.
This is not a straightforward or simple extension to an existing operating mine. No mining has taken place on this site since the DA was granted in 1999 - some 18 years ago.
During that time much has changed in terms of the government policies, environmental standards and community expectations - including any social licence to operate.

It is clear that the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken in the late 1990's is no longer relevant to, or reflects the cumulative impacts associated with, the Modification sought in 2017.
Since the Mt Pleasant DA was granted in 1999, mines have opened and expanded in the area - including the Mangoola mine, expansion of the Bengalla mine and the extensions to the Mt Arthur mine.
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Land use conflicts have also heightened - especially between local agricultural land holders and mining companies.
Over the past 20 year period mines have encroached upon residents and landholders and imposed unacceptable risks to our livelihoods, our environment, our health, our future and the economic diversity and prosperity of our region.
It is not acceptable that a mine that was granted a DA nearly 20 years ago should be allowed to proceed without rigorous and contemporary environmental and socioeconomic
assessments.

It is not acceptable that the NSW Government should disregard its policies, environmental obligations and duty of care to the local community by allowing an open cut coal mine to proceed on this site without appropriate reassessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts this mine would have today.

Given the Mount Pleasant DA was granted in 1999 and no mining has taken place on that site in the intervening period, this Modification should either be refused or the NSW Government should require MACH Energy to undertake a new environmental impact statement fully assessing the project, its cumulative impacts and the socioeconomic
consequences - including the unresolved land use conflicts in the region.

If the Mount Pleasant modification is approved this will only cause disruptions to both Bengalla mining and Mac energy in the future. The Mt Pleasant rail line can and should be place in a location that dose not impact on Bengalla Mines future operation.
Bengalla Mine supports many community organisations, events and charities in the area along with some 600+ jobs.
The time to find a solution to this is now so both company's can move forward without disruption.

Being a local business we want to see our town continue to grow and develop, We do put our support behind mining, and in this case Mount Pleasant Coal. We do require in return, Mount Pleasant and other mining companies to continue show our community loyalty and involvement. A lot of locals work for mines, work for contract companies who support mines, work for companies who support contract companies who support mines and so on. We work hard for out town and want to see our town benefit from our efforts and commitment to mining. We did not choose to put the coal in the ground and as I see it, we are lucky to have such a resource on our door step.