Attached submission

Attached

I understand from the Environmental Assessment that additional water (quantity unstated) will be drawn from the Belubula River to support increased extraction rates. I am concerned that, even though the additional water needed is within the company's allocation, it will put additional stress on the Belubula River. This stream is already under severe stress, exacerbated by the threat of a new dam near Cranky Rock, and should have additional environmental flows, not increased extraction.

I am also concerned that the time-frame provided for comments is very short and that the documents provide very little information on the possible environmental impact, in particular how the increased extraction would affect the flora, fauna and aquatic ecosystem in times of low water flow.

It would seem to me that the original EA should have predicted the appropriate extraction rate and that there is now no doubt to modify this.

Central West Environment Council (CWEC) is an umbrella organization representing conservation groups and individuals in central west NSW working to protect the local environment for future generations.

CWEC wishes to make a complaint about the short time frame of the public exhibition for the sixth modification of the Cadia East goldmine operation. Two weeks is no enough time for the community to access, absorb and comment on the information provided to justify the proposed increase in processing rate.

CWEC objects to the proposal because of the history of water use at the Cadia East mine and lack of supply during the millennium drought.

The report attempts to demonstrate that existing water licenses held by the mine will cover all contingencies.

However, there appears to be no analysis of the water shortage experienced by the operation during the millennium drought.

A comprehensive regional water study is required to understand the current impacts of the drawdown caused by the mining operations, the impacts on base flows to surrounding surface water sources and the ability of regional water sources to supply the necessary water for an increased rate in gold processing during a drought of record.

The inability of Cadia water supply needs to be met during the millennium drought has not been clearly identified. The issue caused the mine to seek as many new sources of water a possible while the entire region was suffering major shortages.

The concept of water sharing for environmental and social needs was severely compromised during the water shortage. There has been no adequate assessment of the impacts on regional water supply and other water users of the proposed increase in processing rate.

The current operations were approved on the understanding that the mine is economically viable. There is no justification for this modification.

CWEC recommends that Cadia East Modification 6 not be approved.