Dept of Planning and Environment
Parliament House
Sydney NSW 2000

2 May 2018

Dear Sir,
Ulan Coal Mine Mod 4
Submission of Objection

We are already seeing the results of climate change, and yet coal is
being expanded, as in this project. Extra government expenditure must
be found for a far longer bush fire season than previously thought
possible; and government coffers are raided for victims of extreme
floods, drought and winds. The climate debate in Australia is driven
by top investment firms who warn companies that they need to start
taking climate change into account or face possible future prosecution
for negligence by their investors.

The additional extraction of coal produced by Mod 4 will increase the
impacts of climate change

In all my submissions on mining in this region for over 20 years, I
have asked for an assessment of the cumulative effect of Ulan,
Wilpinjong and Moolarben Coal Mines on the health and integrity of the
Goulburn River. These mines impact heavily on the ground and surface
water in this catchment. This assessment has never happened. There has
NEVER been an independent regional water study.
The Goulburn River stopped flowing this last summer despite large
storms and smaller nearby creeks continuing to flow.

Meanwhile Ulan, Wilpinjong and Moolarben Mines keep expanding.

The outstanding geological feature of the region is The Drip area, a
sandstone gorge along this stretch of the Goulburn River, fed by
groundwater. It is iconic, for the past and present residents of our
region, and for people of our First Nations, a sacred place. Mudgee
Tourist Office is constantly being asked for directions as its fame
has spread.

However the underground mine expansion of Ulan Mod 4 will further
threaten regional groundwater sources to the north of The Drip gorge

More base flows to the Goulburn River will be affected as the drawdown
and interception of the underground water continues, and the river's
surface water is intercepted by all three mines.
This is unacceptable, especially in relation to the Great Drippping
Wall.

This loss of groundwater and surface flows over a large area of the
river catchment has impacted on essential base flows that sustain the
Goulburn River, causing it to become highly dependent on the discharge
of treated mine water.

Consequently good quality water discharge from Ulan Mine into the
Goulburn River must be regulated under a set of environmental flow
rules that mimic natural flows

Diane O'Mara

The proposal for Ulan Coal MOD 4 should not be approved. The proposal is
environmentally irresponsible and will impact both local inhabitants
and the environment as a whole.

Being a local resident I have witnessed first hand the impacts of coal
mining on the environment, communities and heritage. The short term
benefits of coal mining in the Mudgee region have time and time again
been given greatest importance. Very little regard has been exhibited
towards long term impacts and such decisions have been only made on
case by case basis with little regard for cumulative impacts.
In my lifetime I have witnessed the Goulburn River be transformed from
a very healthy high flowing river that held a great environmental and
social value to the region, to what it is today - a watercourse that
rarely flows, has a much higher salinity level and supports a fraction
of the biota it once did. This modification will once more impact the
baseflows for the Goulburn River.
Good quality water discharge from Ulan Mine into the Goulburn River
must be regulated under a set of environmental flow rules that mimic
natural flows.
Base flows to the Talbragar River will also be intercepted impacting
on downstream water users and the health of the river.

Australia is committed to adhering to the Paris Agreements of limiting
global warming goal to below 2 degrees Celsius below pre-industrial
averages. While one may look on an individual mines modification as
insignificant in relation to global emissions, however, it is the
cumulative impacts that must be assessed. This means each individual
case must be assessed against our commitment to the Paris Agreement
and how we are to adhere to these conditions.

The cumulative damage to the Goulburn River is now very evident with
two additional neighbouring mines, Moolarben and Wilpinjong. The river
stopped flowing over the summer period despite large storm events and
smaller nearby creeks continuing to flow.

All three mines continue to expand in the absence of an independent
regional water study.

The drawdown of groundwater and interception of surface flows over a
large area of the river catchment has impacted on essential base flows
that sustain the Goulburn River. This water loss has caused it to
become highly dependent on the discharge of treated mine water.

The ongoing drawdown and interception of regional groundwater that
supports base flow in the river and reports to the iconic natural
landscape feature known as The Drip, cannot continue.

The impacts on base flows to the Talbragar River and drawdown on
important western groundwater sources is not sustainable.

Mining under the Durridgere State Conservation Area should not be
permitted.

Further, it is important to look at mining overall and the moral
repercussions of continually allowing for such environmental and
cultural destruction to continue. Allowing coal mine modifications and
expansions to continue in a time where so many other more viable
options are available must be considered.

Submission regarding the Ulan Coal Mine Mod 4 extensions.

This submission is to register my objection to the proposed
development modifications at the Ulan Underground and Ulan West
Operations mines and associated infrastructure..

Because the proposal involves mining across the Great Dividing Range I
am very concerned that the hydrological issues have not been properly
assessed. Australia is among the driest of continents, and is warming
and drying. It is essential that full and independent assessments of
the impacts of the proposed mining on water be undertaken.
Interference with base flows and the subsequent cumulative regional
impacts on both the Goulburn and Macquarie River catchments have not
been adequately studies or explained, either in a long term context or
in terms of the implications for the Murray-Darling Basin.
I am also concerned that the likely impacts on flora and fauna in the
area, particularly habitat features for threatened species, have not
been adequately evaluated.

Yours sincerely
Richard Medd
593 Cargo Rd, Nashdale. NSW 2800.

Dear Madam/Sir
I object to the Ulan Coal Modification 4.
My objection is on the basis of the following considerations:
There will be excessive damage to groundwater flows that support the
Goulburn river;
There can be expected to be unacceptable damage to The Drip gorge, a
place of great environmental and heritage significance; and this
project would result in continued significant contribution to
atmospheric carbon dioxide which is a serious problem due to the
harmful effects on human health and ecosystem integrity of
anthropogenic climate change.

I object to Ulan mine modification4
I live on the banks of the Goulburn River about 50klms down river from
Ulan village and have used water from the Goulburn River for domestic
use for about 36 years. The river has always been a reliable source of
water.When Ulan mine started releasing treated mine water into the
river it flowed continuously which is not a natural flow. On the 14th
December 2017 Ulan mine ceased discharging water into the river and
even though we had some rain events there has been no flow in the
river.The base flows which sustain the Goulburn River have been
impacted by the mines this is through the interception of surface
water and the drawdown of ground water which has been disguised by the
continuous release of treated mine water into the river.The
interception of surface water is caused by the ever expanding Ulan
coal mine along with the ever expanding Wilpinjong coal mine and the
ever expanding Molarben coal mine, three very large coal mines in the
Goulburn River catchment area.
To keep the Goulburn River a healthy river there needs to be an
Independent Regional Water Study of the river.
The Goulburn River must be protected from mining impacts.
If it is necessary for treated mine water to be discharged into the
Goulburn River then it needs to be of good quality water and regulated
to copy natural flows

My concerns are:
- impacts on Ground and Surface water.
- Impacts of subsidence.
- The Cumulative impacts on the region by the operations of Ulan Coal
Mines Limited.
A large community of small landholders are situated to the west of the
current mine development. Many of these landowners rely on dams and
water bores for there living and livestock requirements.
There is also several large holdings in the north,north West of the
mine workings that rely on the Talragar river and water bores and dams
for their livelyhood. Any extension or modification has the potential
to have a greater impact than the already large groundwater removal
and mine subsidence and the associated disruption to surface water
runoff.

I object to Ulan Coal Mine expansion (Modification 4) because of the
impacts nearby mining activity is having on the health of the Goulburn
River.
Over the years the mine has interfered with the river's flows and
water quality. Commercial activities should not interfere with natural
river systems unless the long-term effects of the interference are
thoroughly researched and understood, and considered to be in the best
interest of the broader community and the environment, as well as the
commercial operators. Please conduct a detailed, independent regional
water study before approving any further mining activity.

Due to time constraints and the notification period expiring tomorrow 2
May 2018, I in the first instance am making a brief submission to
summarise my concerns. I will provide a detailed submission by 18 May
2018.
My Primary concerns are:
- impacts on Ground and Surface water.
- Impacts of subsidence.
- The Cumulative impacts on the region by the operations of UCML and
the two other mining companies.

I am of the view that, given the close proximity of these three mining
operations in Ulan, it is remiss to assess their proposed applications
individually, as "stand alone" proposals.
The undeniable evidence is, there is absolutely no doubt the impacts
of all three mining operations must be assessed cumulatively to gain a
complete and thorough understanding on the region.

The latter applies in particular to both surface & ground water
impacts as a direct result of the operations. Billions of litres of
water have been lost over the years. I understand at present over 12
million litres of water are pumped out daily from the UCML longwall
mining operations.

As it stands the operations of UCML have had a dire impact on water to
the properties located to the west, including my own. I am aware that
as direct consequences of mining some aquifers in the area have
dropped by almost 30 metres.

I personally have three dams which are now bone dry, my catchments no
longer enjoy water to replenish my dams making the property no longer
viable as a farm. In addition I am aware other landholders have
described their bore water as "brine" with an increasing salinity.
Correcting salinity levels in ground water aquifers to make it fit for
human and livestock consumption is almost impossible and a very costly
and difficult process.

The use of saline water for farming activities such as cropping can be
catastrophic, once the water evaporates, the salt is left in the
uppermost layers of the ground.

I will prepare and submit a comprehensive submission prior to the 18
May 2018.

Thank you for your consideration.

I urge the NSW government to reject Ulan Coal Mine's intention to expand
their underground operations (Modification 4) on the grounds that it
will further threaten regional groundwater sources to the north of the
Drip gorge. Flows in the Goulburn River have already been impacted by
the activities of mining. The cumulative impact of mining in the
region on the river and associated ecosystems needs to be properly
assessed to regulate current activities and consider any future plans.
I understand that the Goulburn River is now dependent on water
discharge from the Ulan Mine to maintain flows. To maintain the
Goulburn River system, good quality discharge from the mine to the
river must be regulated under a set of environmental flow rules that
mimic natural flows.

1. The underground mine expansion will further threaten regional
groundwater sources to the north of The Drip gorge

2. More base flows to the Goulburn River will be intercepted

3. The cumulative regional impact of mining on the health and
integrity of the Goulburn River has not been assessed

4. Good quality water discharge from Ulan Mine into the Goulburn River
must be regulated under a set of environmental flow rules that mimic
natural flows

5. Do not support mining under the Durridgere State Conservation Area

6. The additional extraction of coal will increase the impacts of
climate change