I would like to put forward my support to this very important project. The project will offer much needed employment for the local area. The project will also boost the local economy which is greatly needed.
Malabar Coal have put much thought into this initiative And have put forward a project that is respectful to the community & is respectful & well thought out. Please allow this project to proceed

Jonathan Scales
24 Ponsonby Pde
Seaforth NSW 2092

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001
Date 18 September 2019

To Whom It May Concern
Re: Maxwell Underground Coal Mine Project. SSD-9526
My name is Jonathan Scales and I am an investor in small companies. One of the main investment filters I use is, will this help to build our Nation? I believe that if you invest in companies that benefit the community through jobs, Nation through taxes, then the investment will be a good one.
I am writing to lodge my support for Malabar Coal’s Maxwell Underground Project as a result.
The Malabar project has been thoughtfully designed so the local community can enjoy a much-needed economic boost without negatively impacting other local industries and land uses.
I support the project because it will deliver important benefits for the local community and NSW.
The Maxwell Project will create 350 NEW jobs for the region, injecting $55 million in wages into the local community. Malabar has promised to provide training for local people so the skills to operate an underground mine can be developed within the local area. Further afield, the project will also generate $1 billion to $1.25 billion for the NSW State Government and local Councils. This money can be used to upgrade regional hospitals, schools or infrastructure. Projects like this help ensure our ongoing prosperity and can support the economy for years to come.
The project is a common-sense “win-win” for the community. Previous open cuts proposals were contentious, but Malabar have listened to the concerns and developed a sensible project that means the community can benefit from the economic boost a new mine will provide – while also allowing the horse studs and other land uses to continue their operations. I’m pleased that the EIS for the Maxwell Project shows that the underground mine can co-exist safely with other industries. Having several strong industries has helped the community to flourish. This project means that this can continue for years to come.
Malabar takes mine rehabilitation seriously. They started rehabilitating the old Drayton open cut straight away and have made great progress so far. It is great to see a business take this job so seriously. Cattle are already grazing on some of the rehabilitated land. This shows a commitment to coexistence with other local industries. I also note that the Maxwell Project will deliver a better rehabilitation outcome in the long term by filling voids at the former Drayton Mine with reject stone and rock. This will mean a much better outcome for our community.
The impact of the proposed underground mine will be much less than that of an open cut mine. Less dust, noise and most importantly the impact of subsidence at surface will be hard to notice visually as the landscape is undulating. Cattle in years to come will continue to be able to graze this land. Also, all the land around the mine and infrastructure is owned freehold by Malabar who are leasing this land out to local farmers.
The Upper Hunter and NSW needs a diverse economy and the Maxwell Underground Project can help make sure our economy prospers for decades to come.

Regards

Jonathan Scales

I believe that the project should go ahead given the benefits that will flow to the local community as a result of the development, including job opportunities, contracting and other commercial opportunities and royalty/revenue opportunities for local councils and State Government. I think the risks of the development can be managed given it will be an underground mine (therefore visual impacts etc should be minimised) and via appropriate conditions in the planning approval. I therefore support the development of Maxwell Project.

I support this project

I support the project, i have a young family and having a mortgage to pay and to have a opportunity to apply for a job in the underground would further my future in the area. I am currently employed as a contractor and I’m work out at the old Drayton site for Malabar coal they are above board with everything that they do, above and beyond expectations, I enjoy working there and I wish to continue to work there in the future.

I believe the proposed Maxwell Underground coal mine is a wonderful opportunity to create jobs and infrastructure in the region. Coal provides cheap energy for 3rd world nations to build industry, wealth and therefore improve the living standards for their people. I understand that strict environmental conditions are in place and once the project is completed, renewal plans are in place. I think I speak for the general community that the project is welcomed and will provide great opportunities for local residents.

Coal, particularly high quality hunter coal, is part of the world's future emissions management. The project will likely support steel manufacture in particular which is essential for the global economy and NSW.

The Maxwell Project would provide a favourable amount of new jobs as well as injecting a strong economic boost to the community.