Sydney Water Supply at Risk

I support the Berrima Rail Project.
Please see the attached letter of support.
Thank you.

I moved to the Highlands region 2.5 years ago, attracted to the area by its natural beauty, its food, wine and creative culture, and its community.

Moving our family to the country was a decision about giving our children a more comfortable future -- to get away from the pollution of the city and to give ourselves access to a gorgeous countryside to explore and enjoy.

There is nothing long-term about coal and gas mining in an area of such beauty as the Highlands. Every financial gain of coal and gas will be offset by losses in long-term tourism impacts as well as the attractiveness of the area for the many more people keen to call a gorgeous country region their home.

I'd much rather see the area becoming a wind and solar energy farm than see its land defiled for short-term dirty energy demands.

You can't clean up the mess that will be made to the land and the air, and the mess to our reputation as a place visitors want to spend a weekend, pouring their weekend getaway dollars into the local economy.

Fossil fuels have ten years left. Don't give in to short-term dollars. Let's think about the lands our children and grandchildren will live in. Let's win as a creative and agricultural community.

I object to the Berrima rail project and I believe that it should be rejected for the following reasons:
- Rail Infrastructure will result in a blight on the historic village of Berrima as well as the surrounding landscape
- There is a potential for risks to health from exhaust fumes, noise and coal dust from the rail loop to Port Kembla. Of particular concern is the section of the line that passes 30 metres from Robertson Primary School. Both children's and teacher's health will be put at an unacceptable level of risk
- Additional and significant increase in traffic delays due to the four trips from the coal mine and back again which will involve 17 level crossings
-Of particular concern is the potential delays and hold ups to emergency vehicles such as fire brigades, police, ambulances and other community services.
I urge the government to reject the Berrima rail project which will be detrimental both to the health and well being of residents of the Southern Highlands as well as to the local natural and cultural environment
Barbara McKendry
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I object to the rail project because of the increased congestion, noise, pollution and other safety concerns related to the proposed rail project and the mine in the Berrima area.

I strongly object to the increased noise level in our quiet village of Berrima

Hume Coal admits there will be an increase in air polution. This coming from exhaust fumes and coal dust which I find most unacceptable and a potential health risk.

The coal dust is a major concern as it impacts the health of children and the elderly

1) NOISE
The rail proposal situated so close to the most intact Georgian village on mail land Australia is so absurd its beyond belief.
This will have terrible consequences for the entire Southern Highlands. Increased rail traffic through residential areas. Numerous level rail crossings on very busy road ways is unacceptable.

2) RAIL MAINTENANCE FACILITIES
Situated right on the main entrance to the Southern Highlands and the Berrima Village id crazy