I know the area well and believe that Bowdens Silver is a much needed major project in terms of employment and prosperity in the region.
Local employment is vital to get these regions on a more sustainable basis.

I support the application for several reasons, the main being the economic benefit and employment opportunities it will bring to the region. Not only will there be 220 + permanent positions created at the mine, this will have a flow on effect to the local community creating even more jobs in the local towns and surrounds. Small businesses will grow as they will supply goods and services to support the mine. Locals will have the option to stay local, instead of having to leave town or travel long distances to obtain work. Apprenticeships, graduate programs and skilled positions with preference given to locals will be on offer. As a mother of a young boy, I want to be assured there are quality employment opportunities for young children growing up in the region. Bowdens Silver already generously support local community groups and sporting bodies and this will only increase with the growth of the company. The local towns, people and surrounds will all benefit. It's a beautiful region to live and work, and I believe it will stay that way due to the extensive rehabilitation programs and responsible mining methods that the company adopts for the duration of the project life.

With the current unprecedented global economic and political uncertainty, the development of the Bowdens Silver project could not have come at a better time. With the recent pandemic, if the disease is a recession, then the cure is jobs. And with the devastating impact this pandemic has had on jobs, together with increased trade tensions with China, we as a nation need to take steps to increase our sovereignty and personal liberty. This is difficult to do when the only thing maintaing your job during this pandemic is a Jobkeeper payment, curtosy of the taxpayer.

NSW (and more generally Australia), needs projects like these to help us come out of this pandemic induced recession stronger than ever. The jobs and economic activity this proposed Bowdens Silver project will bring to the Mudgee communities will be invaluable in getting us through these tough times. And now with the NSW/VIC border closed, putting even more pressure on local communities in the area, its time we stop focusing on what we’re closing down, and start looking towards supporting the initiatives that want to open up.

Given the above, it is clear we need to support the Bowdens Silver project. As Australians, we need to look towards retooling for a future that involves taking our sovereignty back. And this project is one of many we will need to stay ahead.. before we become the next Vanuatu of the region, and indebted to a ruthless foriegn power.

Daniel G

There is existing a Lue Action Group which is made up of exteremly concerned property owners. This group meets each Tuesday in Lue at 6PM. May I suggest that is would be worthwhile for a member of the NSW Government Major Projects to attend.

I think it is good for Australia to be self sufficient in Silver and any commodity due to present global economic instability.

Bowdens Silver Mine is a project i support. I wish them all the best

I object to this project due to the damage it will cause the local environment and following on from that, local industries including food and wine production, dining and tourism.

The Lue area is beautiful and is home to many people and businesses that have worked tirelessly to put Lue and Rylstone on the map. The area produces beautiful wine, world class olive oil and many other quality products including wool, which is currently having a well deserved resurgence in popularity. There are many people who enjoy living in and visiting this area for its pristine environment and world class produce. Visitors come bringing essential money to the local economies of Mudgee, Rylstone and Lue and this will stop if the area is polluted by an open cut mine producing lead dust.

If this mine goes ahead the whole area will be poisoned beyond repair. Grapes and olives will not be able to be used due to lead dust in the air. Animals and humans alike will be poisoned. The water supply (both table water and precipitation), already reduced due to drought, will be poisoned. Even the local creek will be poisoned and this will not be able to be enjoyed in summer any longer. In short, the mine will destroy many local industries and the environment and not benefit the local area in any way. The mine has made clear that no compensation will be made to nearby property owners or businesses for the irreversible damage it will cause.

Furthermore, children at the local schools will be immeasurably impacted by the hundreds of trucks rumbling past their classrooms every day and polluting the air. Businesses and residents along the truck route will also suffer from the noise and particulate pollution.

My family have grown up and live in the local area for over 50 years and within the last 10 years we have seen many businesses closed in Rylstone and Kandos such as the Kandos Cement Works, Charbon Colliery, Maceco and many other smaller businesses. Within that time there hasn't been any new businesses to replace the jobs that have been lost. I fully support any new businesses to the area that offer jobs to the local people, support the community and have minimal impact to the environment.

Being from a regional area, I know first-hand how important large projects like this are. We need more employment opportunities for young people, and Bowdens Silver will provide many jobs for an area that really needs it.

I Support the project for many aspects!