I am writing to ask you to please refuse the proposed extension of the mine at Wilpinjong. It places an undue burden on nearby residents, apparently already suffering from dust and noise pollution. Also, what of it's impact on the nearby Nature Reserve and National Park?
More broadly, by allowing the mining of coal we are directly contributing to the release of greenhouse gases which increase global warming. When is this reliance on old outdated technology going to stop? When we've destroyed every inch of farmland? Used up all our water? Will the owners of this mine actually complete the remediation they have presumably agreed to? Given that many mining companies walk away.... leaving vast, open pits behind? Australia is littered with them. When does it all stop?

It is time to stop this environmental vandalism so please start with Wilpinjong.

FIFO Mining companies do not create communities or social interaction.Do not employ local labour. Do not produce food. Use valuable water. Contaminate air and water. Do not post sufficient bonds for cleanup. Cripple local economies. Are currently a BAD investment, so why dig it up now?
Time to consider human worth and not shareholders profits - and losses. There are enough coal mines, without adding to the toll. Leave it in the ground for the future. Renewables are the way of the future - invest in the future, not the past.

* The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable. The dust and noise for local residents will be unbearable, and the harm to our climate from more polluting coal is unacceptable.
* The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
* The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate.
* Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
* The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
* The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
* The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
* The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
* The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
* The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
* The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
* The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
* Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations.
* The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
* The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

The Wilpinjon Extension Project is another proposal to abuse and denigrate the health and living environment of people and existing towns and communities, just for the greedy, polluting dollars of the mining giants and government.

Not only will the residents of this pristine part of NSW be subjected to dirt, dust, noise, but this proposal will destroy over 350 hectares very important habitat for up to 24 threatened species, cause damage to our underground and surface water resources, and affect Aboriginal cultural sites.

When are we going to say STOP this madness. It is also possible that the ability of Peabody Energy to even have the resources to "rectify the site" is in great doubt.

We should be aiming our energy investment to renewable energy sources and realise that we just cannot keep destroying, killing, and polluting as if nothing will happen.

What has been done to date with coal mining is an absolute disgrace and what will happen in the future if we don't stop now?

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable; The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered; The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate; Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.; The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval; The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater; The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed; The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord; The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context; The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years; The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted; The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal; Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations; The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

I submit that the proposed extension to the Wilpinjong coal mine should not be permitted.

This mine already impacts on the population of Wollar. If extended it will seriously affect this small community which needs to be protected and not exposed to more environmental degradation.

The mine is located between the Goulburn River National Park and the Munghorn Nature Reserve, both areas of environmental importance that deserve protection from the damaging consequences of open cut coal mining.

An extension of this mine is unacceptable on both social and environmental grounds.
Yours,
Rosie White

I wish to object to the Wilpinjong extension project. Those residing in this region will be negatively affected both Physically & Psychologically by this expansion. A plethora of research & studies exist citing the adverse health & environmental impacts from coal mines. Our world is warming & evidence suggests fossil fuels are the main contributor. Coal needs to be phased out & clean energy infrastructure need to be established, before dire consequences occur.
Sincerely,
Meg Bray.

I am opposed to the Wilpinjong Extension Project on two grounds.

I believe it is short sighted and foolish in the extreme to extend any coal mining in New South Wales given what is known about the impact of the use of fossil fuels on climate change. Australia has signed up to the Paris Agreement and any additional coal mining undermines the achievement of our binding Greenhouse Gas Reduction targets.

I am also opposed to this development on the basis of its negative impacts on the village of Wollar.

Do not approve this mine extension.

The Government needs to clean up its act and work for the long-term interests of the people of NSW, not the short-term profits of the corporate world. Insanity and destruction should not be the preferred route.

The mine should not be expanded because it will contribute to greenhouse emissions.
Plus no foreign or domestic company should be allowed to destroy the amenity of a local community for the sake of profits.