having been actively involved with all Cadia mine developments over the years I am reasonambly conversant with each development and staged progression --I also sit on the community consultative cmte as the Orange L/holder rep.
this cadia east development will cause a reduction in groundwater to a number of l/holders around the development with a major thrust northward to the intersection with four mile creek rd /cadia rd.
what is evident from the hydrological study that this impact modelling is at best a professional estimate --however what is not estimated is the decline in yield of water out of the basalt aquifer that overlies the surrounding l/scape both to the north and to the east--
Last year a pump test of the aquifer at spring terrace showed the consequence of pumping and resultant drawdown and the zone of affectation which developed as a consequence of this activity --giving l/holders for the first time some real understanding of the complex nature of water flows in the basalt aquifer
it is as a result of this understanding that the Hydrological study now has l/holders expressing their concerns through myself to CVO and to other interested parties.
it would seem logical that while monitoring bores have been constructed by CVO that a bore monitoring plan which more broadly reflects this aquifer be implemented --then should impacts occur a stratergy of remediation and alternate water needs be implemented
what impact this groundwater reduction will have on the streams that rise on the east side of Mt. Canonolas and supply water to the catchment of Orange city has yet to be discovered -but in essence there will be some impact as groundwater expresses itself through springs and soakages which feed these streams.
we are aware of the reduction of available water in the riverine environment to the south of the mine complex and the impact it is having on water releases travelling down stream to licence holders -further complicated by rainfall events which have been under stress these past 10 yrs. 1998 was the last time the aquifer and streams were at maximum charge --since then there has been a fall of 5m approx across the aquifer in SWL in the basalt --this rises and falls depending on rainfall events -last spring 08-saw a rise of 1.5m in the groundwater which has been lost since through to the winter period -this was still 3.5 m below the 1998 level and is typical of groundwater movements subject to rainfall events
what I am proposing here is over the past 10 yrs since 1998 full aquifer- rainfall has been reduced during this droiught period --while the stock and domestic bores in general in the basalt have not failed they have on occasions struggled to yield adequate demand supply --any reduction as a consequence of the cadia east development may well see bores fail and l/holders be placed in an untenable position,
it is therefore essential that a full remedial process be made ready, to swing into action should this event occur - for those in the modelled decline of groundwater area- Cadia will have a plan developing to meet that impact --the zone of affectation may well be much large than is predicted as I have previously intermated that is why a stratergy needs to be incorporated in the consent conditions--


Name: Graham R. Brown
Organisation: private landholder

Address:
formally- Tunbridge Wells due to Ridgeway development now :-
Glengrae, 127 Orchard Rd., Springside, NSw 2800


IP Address: cpe-124-185-72-150.qld.bigpond.net.au - 124.185.72.150

Submission for Job: #41 Cadia East Project
https://majorprojects.onhiive.com/index.pl?action=view_job&id=41

Site: #39 Cadia East Gold/Copper Mine
https://majorprojects.onhiive.com/index.pl?action=view_site&id=39

Council has insufficient resources to respond to this EIS (and the other SSD related workload currently before Council) in the time frame provided. Council intends to provide a detailed response, including suggested conditions of consent in the next month.

Updated 16/9/2019 - See detailed comments attached

EPA provided conditions

Refer to attached.

Refer to attached