To Whom It May Concern,

I support this project by Wollongong Coal Ltd. approval to extend its
mining operations in my local region.
I believe this project will greatly benefit our region in providing
much needed employment along with feeding our local Port Kembla Steel
works coal. The mine has been a vital part of our regions economy and
has had many positive benefits to small and local bushiness. I hope
our region can benefit once again with more job opportunity in various
roles and position the mine will provide. I also believe the measures
put in place by departments will be tightly monitored to ensure that
we have a safe working coal industry that gives back to the people and
the environment that we all share.

I am all for this mine continuing to employ local people

I would like to support the proposed development at Russell Vale as i
believe that this will be of great benefit to the Illawarra region.
Continued employment for many men and women will lead to those workers
spending their wages in the local region and also their is a huge
benefit for local suppliers and associated industries. I believe that
the mining company have been very diligent in regards to their
environmental responsibilities and I hope that this development goes
ahead.

I have worked in the coal mining industry for 43 years and my son still
does. I am in support of the mine going ahead with it's plan. There is
a stigma associated with coal that should not be, as many do not
realize that coal is also used for steel making. I am also on a
community consultative committee for a mine looking at impacts to the
community and the environment. The system of mining that will be used
will lesson any impacts to surface subsidence. The community will gain
from continued employment and spending in the Illawarra. We have a lot
to gain from this mine going ahead.

I object to the Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report (PPR)
to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project 09-0013.

Some of the reasons for my objection are listed below.

Climate change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Coal mining, whether for energy or steelmaking, produces the GHG
Emissions that are causing dangerous climate change. This project is
estimated to result in 11,624,000 tonnes of GHG emissions through the
mining and the burning of the coal.
A risk to Greater Sydney Water Catchment

The mining will take place in the Special Areas of the Greater Sydney
Water Catchment - areas that forbid public access because of their
sensitivity and strategic importance - and up to the shores of the
Cataract Reservoir.
Not only will the mining infrastructure, such as access roads and vent
shafts, disturb and damage the catchment, the proposal for Bord and
Pillar mining will result in up to 100 mm in subsidence.
The extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under
the Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by
drought and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.
Triple seam mining

The mining is particularly risky because a third seam of coal is being
mined beneath two previously mined seams. Triple seam mining has
little precedent and impacts are difficult to predict.
The proponent admits that instability in the overlaying old Bulli seam
workings may cause pillar collapse and subsequent subsidence of 1 to 2
metres. It is unacceptable of the NSW government to allow such risky
mining in the water catchment for 5 million people of Greater Sydney
in a time of drought.
The proponent is not fit and proper to hold a mining licence

Wollongong Coal and its parent company Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, are
currently the subject of an investigation by the NSW government's
Resources Regulator into whether or not they are a `fit and proper'
entity to hold a mining license. The company has a history of failing
to comply with conditions of approval. Even its auditors have
questioned its capacity to continue as a going concern; its current
liabilities exceed its current assets by nearly A$1 billion.
Wollongong Coal is not a `fit and proper' entity to operate a coal
mine in the water catchment of Australia's largest city.
Impacts on local community

The colliery site at Russell Vale is closer to dense residential areas
than any mine in Australia. Residential communities have suffered the
impacts from this mine over many years, including noise and
particulate pollution. In this day and age, Russell Vale is not a
suitable location for a colliery.
Wollongong Coal plans to build a coal processing plant at the Russell
Vale Colliery and process coal on site. The Russell Vale mine is the
closest mine to any built up residential area in Australia and is not
a suitable area for coal processing. Moreover, the proponent has been
unable or unwilling to comply with many conditions of past approvals
and the NSW government has proven to be unable or unwilling to enforce
compliance. Residents have no confidence in "conditions" or
"commitments" to operate the processing plant according to suitable
standards.
The proponent has a history of non-compliance with approval conditions

Previous applications and approvals promised numerous items to protect
the community and environment that have never been met by the
proponent. These include but are not limited to: truck loading
facilities, sound walls, covered conveyors, limited stockpiles, sealed
roadways and realignment of Bellambi Creek. Now in this new revised
project, Wollongong Coal is promising the same or similar things.
Wollongong Coal is currently operating right at this moment under
three non-compliances: the realignment of Bellambi Creek to protect it
from pollution and flooding (due Oct 2012); the removal of 200,000
tonnes of oversize coal that was illegally stockpiled on the adjoining
slag heap (due July 2019); and, the dedication of land to Council in a
1989 approval from Wollongong City Council (due 1990). All of these
obligations still have not been met.
A proponent with such a poor record of compliance should not be
considered for, let alone granted, approval to mine. The NSW
Department of Planning's inability or unwillingness to enforce
compliance (with the conditions that it itself has stipulated)
undermines confidence in the planning system.
We ask that you reject this application from Wollongong Coal and
commence a process to close the mine at Russell Vale permanently.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours sincerely,
Matt Ribas

Submission in relation to Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project
Report (PPR) to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project
09-0013.

I object to Approval of Wollongong Coal's application for expansion of
their mining operations and other enhancements. As a local resident
living within a few kilometres of the Russell Vale mine I have many
concerns with this proposal, from local to global. My reasons for this
objection include:

Climate change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

* Coal mining, whether for energy or steelmaking, produces the GHG
Emissions that are causing dangerous climate change. This project is
estimated to result in 11,624,000 tonnes of GHG emissions through the
mining and the burning of the coal.

A risk to Greater Sydney Water Catchment

* The mining will take place in the Special Areas of the Greater
Sydney Water Catchment - areas that forbid public access because of
their sensitivity and strategic importance - and up to the shores of
the Cataract Reservoir.
* Not only will the mining infrastructure, such as access roads and
vent shafts, disturb and damage the catchment, the proposal for Bord
and Pillar mining will result in up to 100 mm in subsidence.
* The extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under
the Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by
drought and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.

Triple seam mining

* The mining is particularly risky because a third seam of coal is
being mined beneath two previously mined seams. Triple seam mining has
little precedent and impacts are difficult to predict.
* The proponent admits that instability in the overlaying old Bulli
seam workings may cause pillar collapse and subsequent subsidence of 1
to 2 metres. It is unacceptable of the NSW government to allow such
risky mining in the water catchment for 5 million people of Greater
Sydney in a time of drought.


The proponent is not fit and proper to hold a mining licence

* Wollongong Coal and its parent company Jindal Steel and Power Ltd,
are currently the subject of an investigation by the NSW government's
Resources Regulator into whether or not they are a `fit and proper'
entity to hold a mining license. The company has a history of failing
to comply with conditions of approval. Even its auditors have
questioned its capacity to continue as a going concern; its current
liabilities exceed its current assets by nearly A$1 billion.
Wollongong Coal is not a `fit and proper' entity to operate a coal
mine in the water catchment of Australia's largest city.


Impacts on local community

* The colliery site at Russell Vale is closer to dense residential
areas than any mine in Australia. Residential communities have
suffered the impacts from this mine over many years, including noise
and particulate pollution. In this day and age, Russell Vale is not a
suitable location for a colliery.
* Wollongong Coal plans to build a coal processing plant at the
Russell Vale Colliery and process coal on site. The Russell Vale mine
is the closest mine to any built up residential area in Australia and
is not a suitable area for coal processing. Moreover, the proponent
has been unable or unwilling to comply with many conditions of past
approvals and the NSW government has proven to be unable or unwilling
to enforce compliance. Residents have no confidence in "conditions" or
"commitments" to operate the processing plant according to suitable
standards.


The proponent has a history of non-compliance with approval conditions

* Previous applications and approvals promised numerous items to
protect the community and environment that have never been met by the
proponent. These include but are not limited to: truck loading
facilities, sound walls, covered conveyors, limited stockpiles, sealed
roadways and realignment of Bellambi Creek. Now in this new revised
project, Wollongong Coal is promising the same or similar things.
* Wollongong Coal is currently operating right at this moment under
three non-compliances: the realignment of Bellambi Creek to protect it
from pollution and flooding (due Oct 2012); the removal of 200,000
tonnes of oversize coal that was illegally stockpiled on the adjoining
slag heap (due July 2019); and, the dedication of land to Council in a
1986 approval from Wollongong City Council (due 1990). All of these
obligations still have not been met.
* A proponent with such a poor record of compliance should not be
considered for, let alone granted, approval to mine. The NSW
Department of Planning's inability or unwillingness to enforce
compliance (with the conditions that it itself has stipulated)
undermines confidence in the planning system.

We ask that you reject this application from Wollongong Coal and
commence a process to close the mine at Russell Vale permanently.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Regards

Anne Marett

I object to the Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report (PPR)
to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project 09-0013.

The reasons for my objection are listed below:

Climate change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:
Coal mining, whether for energy or steelmaking, produces the GHG
Emissions that are causing dangerous climate change. This project is
estimated to result in 11,624,000 tonnes of GHG emissions through the
mining and the burning of the coal.

A risk to Greater Sydney Water Catchment:
The mining will take place in the Special Areas of the Greater Sydney
Water Catchment - areas that forbid public access because of their
sensitivity and strategic importance - and up to the shores of the
Cataract Reservoir.

Not only will the mining infrastructure, such as access roads and vent
shafts, disturb and damage the catchment, the proposal for Bord and
Pillar mining will result in up to 100 mm in subsidence.

The extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under
the Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by
drought and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.

Triple seam mining:
The mining is particularly risky because a third seam of coal is being
mined beneath two previously mined seams. Triple seam mining has
little precedent and impacts are difficult to predict.

The proponent admits that instability in the overlaying old Bulli seam
workings may cause pillar collapse and subsequent subsidence of 1 to 2
metres. It is unacceptable of the NSW government to allow such risky
mining in the water catchment for 5 million people of Greater Sydney
in a time of drought.

The proponent is not fit and proper to hold a mining licence:
Wollongong Coal and its parent company Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, are
currently the subject of an investigation by the NSW government's
Resources Regulator into whether or not they are a `fit and proper'
entity to hold a mining license. The company has a history of failing
to comply with conditions of approval. Even its auditors have
questioned its capacity to continue as a going concern; its current
liabilities exceed its current assets by nearly A$1 billion.
Wollongong Coal is not a `fit and proper' entity to operate a coal
mine in the water catchment of Australia's largest city.

Impacts on local community:
The colliery site at Russell Vale is closer to dense residential areas
than any mine in Australia. Residential communities have suffered the
impacts from this mine over many years, including noise and
particulate pollution. In this day and age, Russell Vale is not a
suitable location for a colliery.
Wollongong Coal plans to build a coal processing plant at the Russell
Vale Colliery and process coal on site. The Russell Vale mine is the
closest mine to any built up residential area in Australia and is not
a suitable area for coal processing. Moreover, the proponent has been
unable or unwilling to comply with many conditions of past approvals
and the NSW government has proven to be unable or unwilling to enforce
compliance. Residents have no confidence in "conditions" or
"commitments" to operate the processing plant according to suitable
standards.

The proponent has a history of non-compliance with approval
conditions:
Previous applications and approvals promised numerous items to protect
the community and environment that have never been met by the
proponent. These include but are not limited to: truck loading
facilities, sound walls, covered conveyors, limited stockpiles, sealed
roadways and realignment of Bellambi Creek. Now in this new revised
project, Wollongong Coal is promising the same or similar things.

Wollongong Coal is currently operating right at this moment under
three non-compliances: the realignment of Bellambi Creek to protect it
from pollution and flooding (due Oct 2012); the removal of 200,000
tonnes of oversize coal that was illegally stockpiled on the adjoining
slag heap (due July 2019); and, the dedication of land to Council in a
1989 approval from Wollongong City Council (due 1990). All of these
obligations still have not been met.

A proponent with such a poor record of compliance should not be
considered for, let alone granted, approval to mine. The NSW
Department of Planning's inability or unwillingness to enforce
compliance (with the conditions that it itself has stipulated)
undermines confidence in the planning system.

I ask that you reject this application from Wollongong Coal and
commence a process to close the mine at Russell Vale permanently.

I support the project at Russel Vale Colliery as it will increase jobs in
our region, create a lot of revenue for both the Illawarra and NSW.
The mining method is suitable for the environment above and I am
excited that Wollongong Coal has acknowledged subsidence impacts and
chosen this method

I want the Russell mine project to go ahead and help create
More jobs in the expanding Illawarra region.

I want the Russell mine project to go ahead and help create
More jobs in the expanding Illawarra region.