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SSD Modifications

Withdrawn

Airly Mine MOD 3 - Production Rate, Workforce and Train Movement Increases

Lithgow City

Current Status: Withdrawn

The proposal seeks to undertake underground blasting and increase the rate of coal extraction, train movements and number of personnel.

Attachments & Resources

Early Consultation (2)

Preparation of Modification Report (1)

Modification Application (9)

Response to Submissions (2)

Agency Advice (17)

Additional Information (4)

Submissions

Filters
Showing 1 - 19 of 19 submissions
ibbai Waggan Wiradjuri People
Object
WELLINGTON , New South Wales
Message
See attachment
Attachments
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
Support
Sydney , New South Wales
Message
Please see EPA comment attached
Attachments
Mary Thirlwall
Object
CAPERTEE VALLEY ,
Message
I would like to make the following points objecting to these significant modifications to Airly Coal Mine:

1. Water. Surely the fact that Airly has run out of water renders this mine unviable. In fact it has always been unviable & one wonders about the logic of keeping a mine as this operating on false pretences of offering more jobs if:
2. Extraction is permitted to increase from 1.8 to 3 million tonnes/yr., by blasting & extracting the coal at a faster rate...
3. Thereby seriously risking what valley residents have always been concerned about ie significant risk of subsidence, more fracturing of rock causing interruption to stream flows above & below ground.
4. Significant blasting was heard & felt a few weeks ago from as far away as Bogee, raising concerns of serious impacts on the surrounding landscape.

In the light of these serious concerns, it would appear unreasonable & illogical to permit these modification to Airly to proceed.
Thankyou for notifying the community & taking the time to read my submission.

Yours Sincerely

Mary Thirlwall
Member of CV Landcare Inc.,
2257 Glen Davis Rd
Capertee Valley 2846
Carol Henry
Object
BOGEE , New South Wales
Message
The whole premise that the Airly Coal Mine is a viable business and an asset to the Lithgow environment is false. The Capertee Valley does not need this modification.
Attachments
Department of Primary Industries
Comment
,
Message
The Department of Primary Industries has reviewed the proposed modification and has no comment.
WesTrac NSW
Support
TOMAGO , New South Wales
Message
Letter of support attached.
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Glen Davis ,
Message
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Dargan , New South Wales
Message
I found it very irritating that the proposal stated "No new mining areas have been requested", when mining was approved for under the total area of the Airly-Genowlan mesa in a previous Modification.
I do not agree with blasting under the State Conservation Area as the impacts on surface features and the wildlife is unknown and could not possibly be beneficial in any way.
I do not agree with the proposed nearly doubling of mining output. The State and Federal governments should be phasing out coal production to limit the effects of climate change and impacts on the environment in the mining areas. Governments should be encouraging a transition to clean renewable energy.
More coal trains means more dust during transport of the coal, as coal wagons are usually uncovered.
Increasing mining staff now will mean a shorter mine life, and so less jobs in the future.
I have observed the activities of coal companies in the Lithgow area for a considerable time, and the insidious ways that original mining proposals are "modified"
to expand production and extend mining areas.
Government authorities claim to assess proposals based on the balance of socioeconomic gains versus environmental effects, but what I have seen is a total bias to the former and turning a blind eye to environmental impacts which coal mining companies continue to deny. I have myself seen those impacts on the ground.
Spokespersons for the mines, such as Katie Brassell for Centennial, continue to lie to the media about environmental impacts, so that it is business as usual (without disruption) for as long as possible for the mines.
Until now the mines have always had it all their way with government backing.
Until very recent times, no new mine proposals or modifications were ever knocked back.
Lithgow City Council
Comment
LITHGOW , New South Wales
Message
See Council's attached correspondence.
Attachments
Division of Resources & Geoscience
Comment
Maitland , New South Wales
Message
DRG response to the call for comments on the Airly Mine MOD 3, Production, Workforce and Train Movement.
Attachments
Geoff Miell
Object
LITHGOW ,
Message
See attached
Attachments
TRANSPORT FOR NSW
Comment
Chippendale , New South Wales
Message
TfNSW Submission - 25/11/2019
Attachments
WaterNSW
Comment
PARRAMATTA , New South Wales
Message
Thank you for allowing WaterNSW to comment on MOD 3 for SSD-5581.
The proposal is not located near any WaterNSW land, assets or infrastructure, therefore we have no particular comments or requirements regarding the proposal.
WaterNSW requests the Department continues to consult with WaterNSW for any development that may impact on our assets, infrastructure or land, using the email address [email protected]
Justine Clarke - Catchment and Asset Protection Adviser
NSW Resources Regulator
Comment
,
Message
Please see attached
Attachments
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
Comment
DUBBO , New South Wales
Message
Dear Andrew
Attached is the combined BCD and NPWS response to the Airly Mod 3. If you have any queries, please contact Liz Mazzer on 6883 5325 or email [email protected]
Regards
Liz
Attachments
DPIE - Hazards
Comment
Sydney ,
Message
Centennial Airly Pty Ltd is proposing to increase the coal production rate at Airly Mine, train movements will increase accordingly and underground blasting is proposed in the modification. It is noted from the Airly Mine – Modification Report, dated 2019, that:
• Explosives will only be used if geological structures, such as igneous rock dykes intersect some underground mining areas and require removal in order to continue mining as the mining equipment currently used will not cut through these geological structures.
• Explosives for removal of geological structures will only be used when required and will not be stored at the site permanently.
• Any explosives required for the blasting or shot-firing will be brought to the site on the day it will be used.
• A storage magazine will be established on the surface for:
o temporary storage on the day the explosives are intended to be used; and
o issue and return of explosives and detonators prior to transfer to the underground.
• The management of explosives and all other hazardous materials used in the operations will be undertaken in accordance with an updated Hazardous Material Management Plan.

A hazard assessment prepared by Centennial Coal Company Ltd has been undertaken in accordance with the Department’s Hazardous and Offensive Development Application Guidelines: Applying SEPP 33 and the proposed modification determined as not a potentially hazardous industry or potentially offensive industry; as the temporary storage of explosives and detonators on site will be stored at distances greater (>) 500m to the site boundary and will only be stored on site on the day it will be used. There appears to be no significant hazard or risk beyond the site boundaries associated with the hazardous materials proposed to be used and temporarily stored on site.

However, although it is unlikely to be an issue with respect to land use safety, spontaneous combustion of stockpiled coal might present an off-site hazard due to bushfire propagation, particularly as the coal stockpiling is within close proximity to the State Conservation Area, we therefore recommend engagement with the Rural Fire Service to discuss appropriate actions and measures to minimise escalation of bushfires off-site.
ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES DIVISION
Support
,
Message
As per TfNSW attachment
Attachments
The Australia Institute
Object
Canberra , Australian Capital Territory
Message
Late submission uploaded by DPIE on behalf of submitter.
Attachments
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
Comment
,
Message
DPIE - Water and NRAR response
Attachments

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSD-5581-Mod-3
Main Project
SSD-5581
Assessment Type
SSD Modifications
Development Type
Coal Mining
Local Government Areas
Lithgow City

Contact Planner

Name
Andrew Rode