I strongly oppose this development. I agree that we must continue to produce coal for some years while we adjust our economy, but the environmental impact should be fully considered and the long term costs and benefits fully evaluated. I don't accept that the environmental and social cost of this development will be adequately reflected in the taxes paid, nor that the taxes which are paid will be appropriately invested in our renewable energy future. This is not a sensible proposition for present and future generations if the true costs are assessed. It should not be allowed.

I strongly object to the continued degradation of our forest and surface land to dig up yet more coal. This is a state forest, home to animals trees and birds, many on the endangered list.

Billions is being spent on ways to sequester carbon. this carbon is safely in the ground. We do not want it dug up to pollute our atmosphere, do irreparable damage to the landscape, bulldoze even more trees and animal habitat.

No, No No

I object to this development & strongly oppose it. I'm appaled to think of beautiful endangered trees being wasted & threatened animal species being at risk; I support alternative means of energy that dont involve destroying our glorious & pristine environment

Hello,

We already have too much CO2 in the atmosphere, why would we clear more forest for the purpose of digging up more coal which would get burn to produce more CO2?

Wouldn't it be more sensible to leave the coal in the ground and work on consumption reduction and alternatives instead.

Future generations will have to live or die by the choices we make today.

Letting this project go ahead will make a few people a lot of money while creating havoc in the name of greed and wasteful consumption.

Letting this go ahead is like taking a large loan at very high interest rates, i.e. you get something now, but it's almost impossible to cope with the long term repayments.

I object to this development on the basis that The Maules Creek Coal Mine will:

Clear a total of 1,665 hectares of native bush, taking the total clearing in the Leard Forest to over 3,500 hectares.

Clear 545 hectares of the White Box Grassy Woodland endangered community, taking the total clearing of endangered communities in Leard Forest to over 1,169 hectares.

Impact on habitat for up to 36 threatened species which are known or likely to occur in Leard State Forest, including Painted Honeyeater, Koala, Turquoise Parrot and Eastern Cave Bat.

Contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.

Result in a final pit depth of 320m that will cause massive depressurisation of the water table and impact on springs and unique groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Result in a final void that will permanently deplete groundwater, interfere with aquifers and divert surface water.

Make an enormous contribution to global warming amounting to at least 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum from burning the coal that is produced. This is equivalent to more than 15% of all emissions from NSW annually.

Forever change the quiet rural community of Maules Creek into a giant industrial zone with impacts on health, air quality, noise and amenity

In this day and age where climate change is a scientifically established fact - it is incredible that the development of a new coal mine would even be considered in Australia.

The fact that this mine is to be established in native bush makes it even more destructive to the environment.

I strongly object to this development.

I am very concerned about the degradation of the land by this planned coal mine. I make a plea to the planning department to refuse this request. It may bring short term wealth but Australia and especially the local community of Maules Creek will be impoverished and the burning of this fossil fuel will increase pollution and the possible climate change aftermath with it.
I request that the planning body consider long term effects and not just short term monetary gain.

I am strongly opposed to the development of a further coalmine in the remnant forest on the edge of the Liverpool Plains.

My opposition is founded in part due to the significant direct environmental negatives associated with this project, (destruction of woodlands, impact on aquifers, threats to endangered species 'Painted Honeyeater and Turquoise Parrot).

In addition to all of this I am appalled at the intention to further add to the greenhouse gas problems we have, through the mining operations themselves and the burning of the harvested coal.

Please reject this proposal and instead put some energy into supporting the renewable energy industries that are poised to grow rapidly and add to the employment opportunities in our state.

Regards

Nikhil Dhyan

I do not believe it is right to mine this area as it will contribute to the destruction of the largest remnant of vegetation left on the heavily cleared Liverpool Plains.

Mining of coal in a State forest which is land belonging to the nation is something that we should say NO to. Once this "dirty" fuel is removed from the ground, the forest can never be restored. It is outrageous to imagine that a huge open cut coal mine such as that proposed for the Leard Forest near Boggabri could be approved.
The Maules Creek Coal Mine must not be allowed to proceed. I and many others do not approve of this development proposal currently on public exhibition under Part 3A because of the huge cost to the environment. The removal of native vegetation will impact significantly on biodiversity, habitat for our native animals, threatened animal species, the destruction of large tracts of native vegetation in an area already heavily cleared generally, impact on groundwater and the diversion of surface water and a negative impact on the amenity of the area for the community of Maules Creek.