My submission is attached.

File # 3

The Wilderness Society Newcastle

Opposition to the Tarrawonga Expansion

The Wilderness Society Newcastle is extremely concerned by the risks this open cut coal proposal poses to both surface water and ground water in the region. These serious water impacts, coupled with the destruction of 397 hectares of the biodiversity hotspot of Leard State Forest deems this project completely unacceptable.

The Environmental Assessment does not adequately address the long term and ground water recharge impacts of the removal of Goonbri Creek. Goonbri Creek is a major component of the groundwater recharge for the area of Barbers Lagoon and the township of Boggabri.

The project will result in serious surface water flow disturbance. Recent flood events have shown that overburden embankments has directed large volumes of mine water from within the project area onto the flood plain - leading to pollution events and significantly altered surface water flows.

The water planed to remain in the final open cut mine void will increase in toxicity over time and will be a threat to the native animals currently thriving in this rich bushland environment. In flooding events, this overflowing toxic water could pose wide ranging threats to surrounding farmland, bushland and downstream environments.

This project will encroach into Leard State Forest and completely adjoin the Boggabri open cut pit, not allowing critical corridors for the movements of the 396 native species and 34 threatened species that inhabit this forest.

We are concerned this Tarrawonga project has not been adequately assessed in terms of the cumulative impacts of this mining extension in conjunction with the proposed Boggabri and Maules Creek proposals. All three projects will have an absolutely destructive impact on the integrity of this biodiversity hotspot and the hydrological systems in action there.

The Wilderness Society Newcastle recommends the NSW Government:

1. Reject this open cut coal mining project due the serious impacts on ground and surface water, ecologically significant bushland and prime farming land and protect Leard State Forest as one of the most extensive and intact stands of Box Gum Woodland remaining in NSW.

2. Provide much more a detailed and broader scope hydrological assessment of the dewatering impacts of this mining proposal in conjunction with the neighbouring open cut coal mining proposals.

3. Halt the Tarrawonga mine at least 500 metres prior to Goonbri Creek and leave the creek in its current, natural and permanent location.

4. Mandate minimum wildlife corridor distances between open cut coal mines of at least 350 metres in line with the minimum needs for effective glider corridors.

Please see the attached document outlining the coal mining threats to Leard State Forest and our concerns regarding the cumulative impacts.

Thank you,

Naomi Hogan

The Wilderness Society Newcastle

File # 2

Dear Steve;

Our previous upload attempt failed due to file size issues. I will attempt to load the files individually.

1st Main Report.

Rgds

Phil Laird
0428 712622