Pls see attached

I oppose this huge expansion of coal mining in the Leard state forest. I firmly believe that Idemitsu proposing to modify this mine yet again is a further threat to groundwater resources that would further impinge on the productivity of nearby agricultural production and the well being of the local farming community. This expansion and the 152 million tonnes of C02 equivalent emissions it would create should be rejected because of the contribution it would make to climate change. International climate scientists have been pointing out for many years the urgency of phasing out coal if we are to survive a climate emergency that is already having major impacts here in Australia. This raises a major issue of intergenerational equity. The IPC recently rejected the Hume Coal project on grounds of the emissions not being justified and because of the intergeneralisation equity issues. That project would have produced far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than Boggabri Mod8 making it even more dangerous to current and future generations. Please reject this huge coal mining expansion in the public interest.

There are three big coalmines nearby and each has been expanded. This is the eighth expansion of the Boggabri Coal Mine. Coal mining has altered and degraded the landscape, the social fabric and the water resources of the farming community. The mines and expansions have eaten away the Leards State Forest, destroying wildlife habitat and altering water catchments. Mining and burning coal from the extended mine will result in 359 million tonnes of greenhouse gases according to the owners, extend its operation for six years to 2039 and will increase emissions dramatically. Hume Coal was refused because emissions were not justified and because of the effect it would have on future generations. The United nations Secretary General is urging all countries to phasing out coal by 2030. The Australian Academy of Science is calling on the Australian Government to accelerate Australia's transition to net zero emissions over the next 10 to 20 years to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. I object to this project because from the aforementioned information it would seem to be environmentally and socially irresponsible.

For a decade, coal mining has altered and degraded the landscape, the social fabric and the water resources of the rural farming community at Maules Creek. There are three big mines nearby, and another not far away, and each of these has expanded its operations after securing initial approval from NSW authorities.
The latest expansion is the eighth modification of the Boggabri coal mine in Leard State Forest. It’s right next to the Maules Creek coal mine and together the two mines have eaten away the forest, destroying wildlife habitat and altering water catchments.
Boggabri mine, owned by Idemitsu, wants to mine an extra 61.6 million tonnes of coal and extend its operation for six years to 2039. Mining and burning coal from the extended mine will result in 359 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (according to Idemitsu’s assessment).
This expansion is a nail in the coffin of the environment, contributing to an already overheated planet and taking us beyond the brink.
This expansion proposal is to be declined, non negotiable.

Australia must stop increasing coal mining. We need to increase jobs in the renewable sector to provide sustainable employment into the future.
Our international trading partners will soon penalise Australia for failing to reduce emissions. Increasing coal mining is failing to acknowledge their concerns and will be detrimental to our economy.
The environment damage of extending the mine cannot be justified.

Please refer to attached correspondence regarding this matter.
Thank you.

Solidarity submissions for the Maules Creek community

For a decade, coal mining has altered and degraded the landscape, the social fabric and the water resources of the rural farming community at Maules Creek. There are three big mines nearby, and another not far away, and each of these has expanded its operations after securing initial approval from NSW authorities.

The latest expansion is the eighth modification of the Boggabri coal mine in Leard State Forest. It’s right next to the Maules Creek coal mine and together the two mines have eaten away the forest, destroying wildlife habitat and altering water catchments.

Boggabri mine, owned by Idemitsu, wants to mine an extra 61.6 million tonnes of coal and extend its operation for six years to 2039. Mining and burning coal from the extended mine will result in 359 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (according to Idemitsu’s assessment).

This expansion is being treated by the Department of Planning as a “modification” only, which means it cannot go in front of the Independent Planning Commission.

We fully expect the Department to waive this application through, but are supporting the community at Maules Creek, who have contended with two dozen mine modification proposals since 2013.
I feel very strongly that this "modification " flies in the face of the looming climate catastrophe that the whole plant is facing and our promise of inter generational equity is being compromised by such expansion.