Please record my objection to this development, on the following grounds:

- the development will have an unacceptable impact on native flora and fauna, including migratory birds and threatened species (the green and golden bell frog),
- the proponent has not secured adequate appropriate compensatory habitat to off-set the development, as required,
- the application appears to significantly understate the magnitude of the proposed variation to the original development (it is not minor, as claimed), and its potential environmental impact,
- the proponent does not appear to have conducted necessary field survey, and relies too heavily on desk research,
- the development appears not to be necessary for the future development of NCIG.
- the development contributes to coal exports, which fuel runaway climate change, and intensifies Newcastle's current unsustainable reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels, impeding the development of more sustainable alternative industries.

I also believe that the proposal should be considered a controlled action under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, due to its potential impact on Ramsar protected wetlands and associated fauna, and since it includes additional land that was not included in the original approval. (I note that the associated T4 development was considered a controlled action).

Thank you for your consideration of the issues I have raised matters.

John Sutton
31 August 2012

I would like to make a submission against the Newcastle Coal & Infrastructure Group Coal Export Terminal, Stage 2F, Rail Flyover Modification (RFM).
I support the position outlined by Hunter Bird Observers' Club.
The proposed development will destroy the habitat of international migratory shorebirds (22 species have been recorded), some of which are listed under the TSC Act as vulnerable and/or endangered, these include the Black-tailed Godwit, the Curlew Sandpiper and the Broad-billed Sandpiper.
The wetland on the south side of Ash Island will be largely destroyed. 9 species of migratory shorebirds use this wetland regularly. Some of these are listed as vulnerable and/or endangered on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Australian birds including the Black-necked Stork and the Australian Bittern are also found here and are both listed as endangered.
The Green and Golden Bell Frog also listed as vulnerable under the TSC & EPBC Acts, inhabit areas in the vicinity of the wetlands.comm

I am writing to object, most strongly, to the plans which would have a devistating impact on wildlife on Kooragang Island.
Surely an area which is frequented by endangered, vulnerable and threatened species of birds is vitally important and needs to be preserved.
I am also greatly concerned about increasing amountsof pollution.
The Ramsar Agreement means the government must protect this vitally important and internationally recognised site.
I also support the submission made by the Hunter Bird Observers Club.
Please, do the right thing, and stop the destruction of this unique piece of land.

I wish to support the objection submitted by the Hunter Bird Observers Club,to this proposal.If it is allowed to proceed,it will destroy a wetland of international significance covered by the Ramsar Treaty on international wetlands.Swan Pond is a unique site with no similar sites in the Hunter Estuary.Aside from providing habitat for several engangered and vulnerable migratory and Australian species,it also provides a valuable dry season refuge for water fowl.

I support the position outlined by Hunter Bird Observers Club. The proposed development threatens an internationally significant wetland. The eastern side of Ash Island represents the best of what is left of a once much more extensive wildlife haven on Kooragang Island. The wider Hunter Estuary has seen substantial habitat loss in the last 200 years, making the remnant high quality habitat areas critical for the survival of many species in the region. With increased pressures on the environment from mining developments in the Hunter Valley, our native wildlife is under constant strain throughout the region. The natural world is something that we can all freely take pleasure from. It is important that this continues to be the case for our future generations. Therefore, it is essential that all potential impacts on the environment are properly assessed and serious negative impacts are prevented. Knowing the site well, the proposed development appears to me to be highly destructive to the Swan Pond habitat and it is disappointing that this substantial environmental impact has not been properly acknowledged or considered. Although the area of habitat loss is relatively small, the eastern edge of Swan Pond that will be destroyed is perhaps the most important location for shorebirds on Ash Island. In addition, much of the 'disturbed land' has also become important and cannot be disregarded. The proposed development is located in a highly sensitive area ecologically and it deserves a credible assessment. This has not happened and a lack of detailed local knowledge regarding the significance of the impacts on migratory shorebirds is clearly evident.

I strongly support the submission made by my Hunter Bird Observers Club.
The migratory birds which use this area are already severely threatened by loss of habitat.
It is vital that we Australians do all we can to protect these vulnerable and beautiful birds.
Please accept my sincere plea on behalf of the creatures who are dependent on our human wisdom.
Yours sincerely
Pam Durie

I am appalled by the proposal to destroy much of Swan Pond on Ash Island. This is one of the premier wetland habitats and bird watching sites in NSW. There are numerous rare and vulnerable species that use this habitat including birds (Chestnut Teal, Bittern, etc, Green and Gold Bellfrogs). I find it ridiculous in this day and age with such little valuable habitat remaining and global warming on the rise that there is a proposal to destroy this habitat in order to export more coal which will further increase global warming.

I support the position outlined by Hunter Bird Observers Club. The proposed development will destroy Swan Pond which is an important area for international migratory shorebirds. Some of these birds - Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper - are listed under the TSC Act as Vulnerable, Endangered and Endangered respectively. The use of Ash Island by other threatened birds, and the fact that a significant percentage of the population of many species rely on the area, mean that the wetland is internationally important.

I fully support the submission by the Hunter Bird Observers Club regarding this proposal.

"I support the position outlined by Hunter Bird Observers Club. The proposed development will destroy an internationally important wetland where 22 species of international migratory shorebirds have been recorded. This includes three species, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper which are listed under the TSC Act as Vulnerable, Endangered and Endangered respectively. Several other threatened species have been recorded there, including Black-necked Stork and Australasian Bittern both of which are listed as Endangered under the TSC Act; the Australasian Bittern threatened to such an extent that it is listed as Endangered at the national level as well. Two species of international migratory shorebirds, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red Knot, and one species of waterfowl, Chestnut Teal, have been observed in significant numbers representing >1% of their total world population, confirming this wetland's status as internationally important. In the East Asian flyway for migratory birds, there is increasing pressure on migratory shorebirds by countries who are signatories to agreements that are designed to protect these increasingly dwindling bird populations, yet who are infilling their important estuarine habitats regardless of treaty commitments to bird protection. Australia must lead by good example in such matters if we are to have a legitimate and credible voice within international conservation initiatives. These habitats, particularly those that are chosen as important by the birds themselves, as is the eastern side of Swan Pond and deep pond threatened by this development, are critical to migratory shorebirds. There was a time when the birds above, that are now becoming more common on threatened species schedules than in the wild, were found in large numbers in the Hunter River estuary. The reason that these birds have now become rare is that the only place they have to live in the world has been steadily piece by piece taken away from them. Although impacts proposed, if measured in isolation may be argued as only a small incremental loss, this development if it proceeds will be at the expense of shorebird habitat important to the birds and it will represent a key role in a cumulative impact that has gone well beyond significant by any ecological definition."