It is the belief of the Broke Fordwich Wine Tourism Association that a balance between the interests of the coal mining industry and the agricultural sector need to be reached. Mining is inherently destructive, and although mined land can be returned to grazing after mining has finished, the returned land is never as good as what was there before.
We are generally supportive of coal mining in Broke - it is a major source of jobs and income to our village, but we do not support the expansion of mining into new areas. Coal is a 19th Century fuel, not a 21st Century option. The headlong rush to make money now before the demand falls away is clearly opportunistic and only in the interest of those that seek to make money out of mining. Those of us that live with mines have learnt to tolerate then, and many do 'play by the book' and support their communities. However, this recent step by Yancoal is not acceptable. Mines that listen to the communities can get on just fine, but please don't try to steam-roll residents so you can make money out of their misery.

We have lived at Maison Dieu for 40 years and in that time we have seen the deterioration of the Hunter River. As there are no records of river water quality back that far, there is no proof to the cause of this deterioration. We strongly believe it is due to pollution in some form from the many mines along the Hunter River upstream from us.
If any more mines are going to be allowed to expand or open surely there has to be a fool proof way of protecting the water supply carried by the Hunter River, Glennies Creek and underground streams in coal mining areas.
As everyone knows, life depends on water, as only to well shown in the summer we are experiencing now.
Our crops under irrigation are not growing as well as they used to and we also believe it is due to the quality of the water. Our pressure system that supplies water to our cattle troughs comes from the river too, as we had to change from a ground water well because the water was too salty for consumption.
In one of our big cattle troughs that is supplied with river water we lost two (2) groups of goldfish that just mysteriously died over a few days. We don't stock it with goldfish any more.
Glennies Creek is a lot more pristine than the Hunter River and we believe that the the Ashton South East Open Cut should not go ahead if there is any chance that Glennies Creek or underground water supplies will be damaged beyond repair.
Many farmers downstream depend on a good clean water supply and farmers are the lifeblood of a healthy nation

I write to you to pass on my strong objection to an further amendment to Ashton Mine South East Open Cut as proposed by the applicant .
This mine should not proceed under any approval , the implications of further open cut mining in terms of water impact and as well as effects on neighbouring property are dramatic and for the sake of the region no further mining should be considered.

We oppose any change to the notification of commencement of the project and places approval with the secretary, and the removal off time obligations not linked to project commencement. Namely "Yancoal requests the suspension of any condition specifying a date or inferring fulfillment of an obligation designed to control the impact of the development until such time as Yancoal elects to commence the development under PA 08_0182."

Attention Mr Howard Reed
Director, Resource Assessment
Department of Planning and Environment

Dear Sir

I am the owner of property 130 which immediately adjoins the project on the eastern and southern boundaries. I would like it noted that at no time have I been consulted by Ashton Coal regarding their request to modify conditions. As a key stakeholder I feel that Ashton Coal have failed to appropriately consult with the immediate community.

I wish to lodge the following objection to the Modification of Conditions of SEOC Project.

Schedule 3 Condition 61
I object to the change in timing of the land management program. This process should ongoing and continuous irrespective of commencement of development. Failure to undertaker this work increases the risk to the local community adjacent Camberwell Village of bushfire.

Appendix 3 Commitment Q2 Management of offset areas.
I object to the change in timing of the management of offset areas. This process should ongoing and continuous irrespective of commencement of development. Failure to undertake this work, until up to three years of commencing operations, will result in;

a. Increase in feral animal populations.
b. Increase in environmental weeds.
c. The cessation of current monitoring programmes.

The need for detailed study of all the listed conditions "to ensure control of the land is maintained in a satisfactory ongoing manner" would seem appropriate.

Regards
Alistair Bowman

I did not agree with the agree with the original,proposal.
We have enough mines in the hunter valley. We have an unbearable load of environmental issues:
Air, water, noise & land pollution.
All in a background of a world that is looking to have power supply being generated by renewable energy.
There are other businesses in the hunter valley that need clean water, clean air & a further expansion if the mining industry at this stage is not acceptable.
Planning NSW has a responsibility to plan for the future of the residents of NSW.
Please do not make decisions which will impact on the future residents of this state by allowing this mine to proceed.
We have total evidence of climate change ..every mine contributes to climate change..at a micro level by the vast amount of land clearing & earth destruction & at a macro level by the burning of the fossil fuel.
Do your bit & reject the mine application.

Ashton Coal, by requesting to put their own date on what constitutes the start of the project will further delay acquisition rights for the residents of Camberwell. This Community has suffered enough from mining activity and those who wish to leave should have the right to acquisition by the coal company. The effects of bad air quality would certainly be affecting the health of residents so they should have the option to leave if they wish.
There is also a very real concern that encroachment of this land will cause huge impacts on drainage during large storm-water overflows into the creek thus threatening ground water levels.
If no activity takes place in 5 years the lease should expire. there should be no use of words to change the meaning of this rule. This modification seems to be attempting to change the time in which the lease would expire. Is this because of the company being unable to acquire the Bowman property?
The Planning Department has admitted the Community of Camberwell has suffered long and hard from this mine. Please give this Community a break and do not allow this modification.

I object to this devious strategy to extend the lease on the Ashton Mine. The project cannot go ahead because Wendy Bowman won;t sell her property. If the mine does "nothing" in 5 years their lease will be terminated. This is nothing but a rouse to postpone the 5 year rule.
The effect of this on the residents of Camberwell is that any property acquisitions are also on hold, denying Camberwell residents the opportunity to move away from the dirt, dust and noise that is the Ashton mine.
The dust monitor at Camberwell reports frequent exceedences of the health criteria of 50 PM10, yet the residents are being denied the opportunity to move.
This is disgusting and grossly unfair and should not be allowed to happen.
I OBJECT MOST STRONGLY TO THIS SPECIOUS PROPOSED "MODIFICATION"

The modification to the Ashton South mine prolongs the acquisition program of residents choosing to leave Camberwell. Mrs Bowman has chosen to stay but others should have the right of negotation around purchase. The impacts around Camberwell area from existing mining is seriously destroying the landscape and living condition. The benefits of mining do not in any way outweigh the costs when the long term degradation of the area is taken into account. To say otherwise is downright untruthful. Coal is on the downslide as alternative energies come forward. To prolong the damage in the region from Ashton South is seen as Government betraying the future needs of the Hunter.

I object to this modification because
- The social impact of the Ashton mine on the people of Camberwell has been significant.
- The cumulative impact of open cut mining around Camberwell village is highly significant.
- Air quality at Camberwell village is regularly very poor and does not meet national standards.People should have the right to escape these health impacts.