Sir
I object to peabodies proposed Mod 6 expansion of Wilpinjong quarry for all the usual reasons. Dust.noise,smell, the destruction of environment , habitat, and fouling of our water resources.
But mainly I object in the face of indisputable scientific evidence of our effects on global temperatures, that we allow multinational companies to rape our world in their rabid search for fossil fuels and stupendous Profits.
Why, with all the technological advances of the last few hundred years are we still burning dinosaur .fuels when we have so many other alternatives.
Evolve humans, our future generations and the rest of the planet will appreciate it.

I object to Wilpinjong mine extracting even more coal. Mod 6

Under current approvals the mine is not managing spontaneous combustion. The odour in Wollar is often disgusting and surely we don't need people dying to realise the emissions are dangerous. (Or do we?)

Yet more noise from bulldozers, trucks, speeding contractors, trains & all that goes with a larger extraction, I do not feel protected under the industrial noise policy.

Environmental impacts Going, going, parts of it gone forever.

Being a citizen of mid western regional council my concerns re the 6th modification for Wilpingong mine by Peabody energy my concerns are as follows.
The cumulative social impacts on the wollar community must be assessed as this is essential for wellbeing of community.
Modification 5 plans by Peabody energy have not been completed
Noise and dust have continued to be a major issue for community and have not been assased adequately

I would like to object to the Wilpinjong Modification 6 Ref No: MP 05_0021 MOD 6 Because this proposal to further increase extraction of ROM coal from 15 mtpa to 16 mtpa has not been adequately assessed for noise, dust, blasting or spontaneous combustion impacts.
I see that there is no evidence that the spontaneous combustion events at the mine have been reported under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
I feel that the current noise, dust and spontaneous combustion odour impacts are not adequately managed or regulated with the existing operations.
I also see that Wilpinjong Mine has not completed the new plans of management for Modification 5 approved in February 2014.
The assessment does not consider cumulative social impacts on the Wollar community and the fact that Peabody Energy now owns over 70% of all property in the district has the effect of distorting the property market.
There needs to be ongoing acquisition of properties which are affected, and the effects on the community include the loss of the Fire Brigade and loss of families attending the local school.
It is disappointing to see that cumulative impacts on the MId Western Regional Council area have not been assessed in so far as the ongoing loss of community, and social cohesion.

I am objecting to the modification 6 for Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
The proposal for increased extraction of coal has not been adequately assessed for noise, dust, and blasting impacts.
The current noise, dust and spontaneous combustion odour impacts are not adequately managed or regulated with the existing operations.
There has been no consideration of cumulative mining impacts including loss of community and social cohesion in the Mid
Western Regional Council area.

I am employed by Wilpinjong Coal Mine. The employment offered has been positive for me, the local region, the state and the country.

At 24 years of age, I have been able to pursue a career that dreams are made of. I have made a home in Mudgee and actively participate in sports that are offered. When I first arrived, there were a few sports but over the previous few years I have seen the touch competition grow in size and this year a first ever women's league tag team was established. Young people are now staying in the area and with employment at Wilpinjong Coal Mine, staff join these sporting teams. This is positive for the local area in terms of health and community spirit.

The local region benefits in terms of the food I eat, clothes I wear and social events I attend. My rates help beautify the township area which has vastly improved over the last year or two. Friends and family visit me and always have a good spend up in Mudgee, visiting local wineries, restaurants and businesses. If I wasn't here they wouldn't come and their cash would go elsewhere.

NSW Government gains royalties from Wilpinjong Coal Mine and this will increase for 2014 with the additional ROM tonnes mined under the proposed Modification 6. My taxes from employment at Wilpinjong Coal Mine are divided where needed throughout the country.

Wilpinjong Coal Mine is a good employer to its staff and this results in a happy workplace environment. It also plays a very generous part by way of financial contributions to the local community.

I support Wilpinjong Coal Mines Modification 6 because I can see how the economy of Mudgee has been boosted and improved by more disposable income being spent by its residents, a large proportion of whom work at Wilpinjong. I welcome and wish for others to have their dream fulfilled. Thank you for the opportunity to offer my submission.

Submission in SUPPORT of the proposed Modification 6 to Wilpinjong Coal Mine.

We are visitors to the Mudgee region two or three times annually. Initially it was to see our daughter, and still is , but have increased visits and the length of time we stay because of the increased vibrancy and improvements in the region. Other family members and her friends have also visited with more visits planned this year.
We see the Wilpinjong Coal Mine as providing a positive contribution to the region as we have read in the Mudgee Guardian of its financial input into various community organisations which benefit many residents.
The local improvements to the area have come about through the economic flow on effects of increased disposable income being spent in the retail and hospitality industries as well as increased revenue through rates.
Our daughter has made Mudgee her home. She purchased her first house and has employed tradesmen to carry out repairs thus providing employment for others.
Mudgee, as a desirable place to live, has the potential to lure people from large cities which we believe the NSW Government is encouraging. More employment opportunities will assist this.
All this happens because of one person employed at the Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
Please consider favourably the spin off effect that potentially happens when one person is employed and give another person the same opportunity.

I am concerned for the people of Wollar. This coal mine is already having a detrimental effect of the residents and extending the mine doesn't consider cumulative social impacts on the Wollar community:
Now that Peabody Energy is the largest landholder, why do they want to become even bigger when coal use is dropping

I am concerned that the operation of the mine is not managing spontaneous combustion under current approvals. (Schedule 3 Condition 16). Offensive odour emissions from the mine are interfering with the comfort of the local community

The proposal will cause greater noise impacts through the addition of 3 more D11 dozers to the mining fleet. The simultaneous operation of four full mining fleets 24 hours, 7 days per week is already causing sleep disturbance and annoyance, which is detrimental to all people in the community. The Industrial Noise Policy does not protect the health of the Wollar community

The extraction of 16 million tonnes per year of coal and increased movement of overburden will generate more dust. Residences in Wollar have coal dust coating external and internal surfaces of their homes and businesses.

Gae Mulvogue

I wish to support the proposed Modification to Wilpinjong Coal Approval.

Currently Mudgee is feeling the negative affects caused by the down turn in the coal industry, which is impacting on job security, viability of local businesses and economic prosperity of the local region.

Therefore any improvements to the mining operation that will allow Wilpinjong to be more competitive and sustainable during a period when many other mines and industries are suffering must be supported.

I support the proposed Modification 6 to Wilpinjong Coal Mine.

I believe that mining contributes positively to the Mid Western region, NSW and Australia. For me, the most important way mining contributes is through direct employment. I moved to Mudgee with my family and we all shop locally and use local services; helping to make those sectors more profitable than if they were solely relying on agriculturally employed people or tourists. I don't think my family is unusual in this regard because every weekend Mudgee is a bustling little town and this doesn't change with the seasons that affect tourism and agriculture.

I support the proposed Modification 6 to Wilpinjong Coal Mine because it will help Wilpinjong to stay profitable during this time of low coal prices; thereby enhancing the stability of the employment of me and my co-workers and allowing life in Mudgee to continue the way it has been for the past few years.