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ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
Comment
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
Comment
Matthew OConnell
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Matthew OConnell
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ABERDEEN
,
New South Wales
Message
I am writing to object to the continuation of the Mangoola Coal Mine.
As a long term resident of the Upper Hunter I have witnessed first-hand the destruction caused by coal mining to this once productive agricultural area, and now believe the region cannot sustain any more coal mines without seriously impacting the health of residents.
On an almost weekly basis I observe clouds of coal dust hovering over Muswellbrook - usually caused by blasting. In recent conversations with the EPA about specific incidents, I have been told this blasting is mostly in accordance with conditions of consent.
If these conditions of consent are being followed and there are still dust clouds blowing over the town, I can only conclude that the conditions are either far too lenient or there are simply too many coal mines operating.
We need to protect what is left of the Upper Hunter, not jeopardise our future for the short term gain of the Mangoola continuation.
If this continuation is approved, the owners should be made to foot the cost of installation for 24 hour cameras that the EPA has total control of.
At the moment, there is no EPA office in Muswellbrook and when breaches occur nobody is there to witness them.
Operations need to be recorded 24/7 and NOT by the owner of the mine.
That is like the Police asking me to let them know if I've been speeding.
The other aspect I would like to comment on is rail movements. Does anyone at the Planning Commission have any idea just how noisy coal trains are when they screech through a town?
I doubt it. It is horrendous.
Letting Mangoola continue only adds to this aural pollution - not to mention the dust dropped along the way.
As coal continues to decline globally (a fact owners Glencore have acknowledged), we should be looking at alternatives to this industry.
People are being turned off from living in the Hunter Valley due to the ongoing dust and particle problems created by having so many large mines close to town.
Finally, the rehabilitation plan for this mine is inadequate. It should be the policy of the NSW Government that no additional open voids can be left in the Upper Hunter landscape.
Yes, we need jobs - but they need to start being provided by other industries in the Hunter Valley. It is time for the government to act and protect our future.
Regards, Matthew O"Connell
As a long term resident of the Upper Hunter I have witnessed first-hand the destruction caused by coal mining to this once productive agricultural area, and now believe the region cannot sustain any more coal mines without seriously impacting the health of residents.
On an almost weekly basis I observe clouds of coal dust hovering over Muswellbrook - usually caused by blasting. In recent conversations with the EPA about specific incidents, I have been told this blasting is mostly in accordance with conditions of consent.
If these conditions of consent are being followed and there are still dust clouds blowing over the town, I can only conclude that the conditions are either far too lenient or there are simply too many coal mines operating.
We need to protect what is left of the Upper Hunter, not jeopardise our future for the short term gain of the Mangoola continuation.
If this continuation is approved, the owners should be made to foot the cost of installation for 24 hour cameras that the EPA has total control of.
At the moment, there is no EPA office in Muswellbrook and when breaches occur nobody is there to witness them.
Operations need to be recorded 24/7 and NOT by the owner of the mine.
That is like the Police asking me to let them know if I've been speeding.
The other aspect I would like to comment on is rail movements. Does anyone at the Planning Commission have any idea just how noisy coal trains are when they screech through a town?
I doubt it. It is horrendous.
Letting Mangoola continue only adds to this aural pollution - not to mention the dust dropped along the way.
As coal continues to decline globally (a fact owners Glencore have acknowledged), we should be looking at alternatives to this industry.
People are being turned off from living in the Hunter Valley due to the ongoing dust and particle problems created by having so many large mines close to town.
Finally, the rehabilitation plan for this mine is inadequate. It should be the policy of the NSW Government that no additional open voids can be left in the Upper Hunter landscape.
Yes, we need jobs - but they need to start being provided by other industries in the Hunter Valley. It is time for the government to act and protect our future.
Regards, Matthew O"Connell