There is no need to mine coal, and especially via making a massive mine even bigger. There are far more clean energy options than coal and we should be implementing these to save the environment and prevent severe climate damage in the future.

Please see Attached File.
J Moore.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Optimisation proposal and seek that an Independent
Planning Commission reviews the proponent’s technical reports, particular water and
final void impacts, Hunter River impacts, and cumulative impacts particularly on water,
air quality and dust
This is not a straightforward or simple extension of activities – it is increased rate of
activities with expansion of mining.
We need more time to properly considerthis new proposal and its impacts on our future,
our businesses and community – 4 weeks is not enough time to expect individuals,
farmers and small businesses to get across over 6,500 pages of technical information.
The mining company takes years to prepare these documents and has deep pockets and
access to experts. We do not. It must be remembered that for the people this mine
negatively impacts – it is not their day job to monitor and respond to ongoing and
draining government mining proposals. If the Department and Government were
genuine about community consultation they should give us enough time to respond.
There will be significant changes to landform and many negative inter-generational
impacts once the mine closes
We are/I am concerned about the negative effects mining is having, and that this mine
will have, on our community and environment.
We are /I am concerned about the damaging effects mining is having, and that this mine
will have, on the Upper Hunter’s air quality and health.
I/We need certainty so that we can invest and grow our businesses with confidence. This
mine only adds to the uncertainty and will threaten economic diversity in the area.
Previously the EPA and Department of Health during the Modification assessment
criticised the proposal for discharge in to the Hunter and cumulative air quality
deterioration. An acceleration and expansion will increase all impacts.
The lack of any cumulative environmental assessments, particularly for air quality and
water resources, provides no confidence in this EIS assessment and the entire mining
assessment process.No further mining encroachment (physical or visual) should be allowed to affect the
township of Aberdeen
The coal mining industry is on the decline. It is permanently dislocating more prime
agricultural land. The Upper Hunter is already saturated with dust cumulative impacts
travelling up the valley. We are under siege and want this to stop.
Mining is destroying our landscape and environment, devaluing our properties and
dividing our communities. This needs to stop.
SPECIFIC MESSAGES
AIR QUALITY
The impact of mining on communities in and around Muswellbrook and encroachment
on Aberdeen has grown much worse since operations started at Mt Pleasant. This
proposal will exacerbate this situation and harm people’s health and wellbeing.
The mining operations proposed by this “OPTIMISATION” will create more noise and air
quality exceedances. When is enough enough???
MACH has previously admitted that air quality and noise exceedances already occur due
to the cumulative impacts of both Mt Arthur and Bengalla mines. This is an indisputable
reason why this mine should not have proceeded and should not be allowed to increase
its extraction rate or its length of operation. Enough harm to the environment and the
community has been done already. The community cannot tolerate any more.
Land use conflicts continue to heighten in this area – especially between local agricultural
land holders and mining companies.
VOIDS / WATER
The proposed remaining void size will leave a devasting legacy for future generations and
the NSW tax payer. It is a risk and legacy that should not be contemplated and should
be rejected outright.
Mining is destroying our landscape and environment, devaluing our properties and
dividing our communities. This needs to stop.
Mining companies are destroying our agricultural lands and not rehabilitating the voids
and moonscapes they leave behind. No-one is holding them accountable. This is not
acceptable.
Mining is in decline. We need to look to the future and support our agriculture and
tourism industries. They are here for the long term and provide sustainable jobs and
strong diverse regional economies. They should be respected and protected not
constantly under siege.
A 2 metre draw down is not acceptable
BUFFER/DISLOCATION OF OTHER RESOURCES/PRIME AGRICUTLURAL LAND
Mining companies will come and go but agriculture is here forever. Agricultural
industries and jobs need protection.
The Hunter has a growing tourism industry that should be encouraged and

Mining is not sustainable - the hunter has grown too dependent on it as a source of employment ignoring the fact that all mines have a limited life span, and that mining is has terrible negative environmental implications.
Mining has destroyed much agricultural land in the Hunter Valley region. It is horrific to drive from through Muswellbrook to Jerry's Plains. The environmental damage is an eyesore that impacts native species dramatically.
We need to be protecting our environment and promoting industries other than mining to ensure the viability of the Hunter region in the future.

I commenced employment with MACH Energy Australia in December, 2020, and can attest to the positive community involvement and support provided by MACH employees and their contractors by way of environmental awareness, fundraising initiatives, sporting groups, local procurement of goods & services, and local community & traditional land owner consultation.
I can also confirm that MACH were viewed positively in my previous position within the Port of Newcastle business community.
I am a proud member of the MACH Energy family and will continue to support and be involved in our company vision of accountability, respect, integrity, care and delivery.

Can I put it to you that, if your grandparents had been told they could sit at an electronic device and link up in real time with their family anywhere in the world, and for free, they wouldn't have believed you. Now the very same group of people, scientists, that made this possible, are telling you that the world is on the verge of catastrophic climate change. You chose to disbelieve them and seriously want this coal mine to go on functioning at at even bigger scale for twenty years. You are the grandparents playing dice with the future of your grandchildren who stand to lose everything that we have achieved, if, or almost certainly when, climate change becomes out of control. This isn't whimsical ramblings, this is fact. Lets just add another fact, the United Nations General Secretary has just issued a 'Red Alert' on climate change for the world.
Now to more immediate matters. Australian ships have been sitting off the coast of China for months because they cannot unload coal that has already been dug up.
Most of the worlds nations have committed to net zero emissions in 30 years time. That's longer than the proposed extension, but they also have to commit to lower targets by 2030. Not looking so good for mining and exporting coal.
Mines are already closing in the Hunter valley.
Many of the local community don't want this devastation to continue and have asked for help. Hence my submission.
Those that do, probably want the mine to continue because they work there. But they wont be working there for long will they? It is your responsibility as the state government to facilitate the transition of the Hunter area away from coal to other jobs that can continue into the future. You know there is no future for coal. If this mine expands it is only to increase the income of its owners. Not for the workers, not for the local community or tourism, food production in the area, or air or water quality. It would be an act of great irresponsibility to approve this project.

I wish to object to the Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project and particularly to the suggestion that it would be in any way acceptable to double the production of this thermal coal mine and to extend it's unwanted social and environmental impacts on our community through to 2048.
It is absurd to suggest that this would be in any way a sound decision given that our community is already subject to the worst air quality in the State, to significant groundwater and surface water deficits (in the order of 12 billion litres annually) and to significant human health impacts as a direct result of the cumulative impacts already being experienced from coal mining in this area.
We simply don't have the capacity to withstand another 10.5 million tonnes per annum coal mine in an area which has already seen production more than double in the space of 20 years.
Our community has a long standing history of opposing this project and being ignored by your Department. This is unacceptable.
I ask that you now listen to the valid concerns being raised by this community and reject this application.

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission about the Mount Pleasant mine.
Any expansion to the mine will cause a major impact on air quality for nearby residents of Muswellbrook and rural residents. The air quality is already bad and affecting residents and I assume livestock.
Prime agricultural land must not be decimated by a mine expansion with visible, ugly spoil mounds, ruining the landscape.
Clean air and people's lives have priority over mining development.
It's time to move to clean, renewables.

I am an employee of MACH energy working monday to Friday at the Mount Pleasant site. Through the week I live in Musswellbrook from Monday to Friday where I rent renting from one of the mine's near neighbours. I am a member of gthe local gym and do the majority of my shopping in Musswellbrook.
I am in favour of the submission because I really enjoy working for MACH, their approach to the community and the environment is the best that I have seen in my time working in the mining industry and it is refreshing to work with an employer that actually cares. If the optimisation is not approved I will eventially lose my job and liekly have to leave Mount Pleasant/Musswelbrook to find another opportunity.