Berrima Rail Upgrade Project

To whom it may concern,
As a long time resident of Berrima i strongly object to the Berrima Branch Line.
I did not move to the country to be subjected to the droning noise of a train. Nor do i want to breathe coal dust or have it on my clean clothes as they hang on the line or in my home.
Has anyone considered the inconvenience this rail line is going to cause shire wide? Probably not. The shire's infrastructure is poor at best. I can only imagine how this will affect traffic flow, both with vehicles and commuter trains.
Perhaps we need to consider the long term effects of this project.
Why not preserve and conserve what we already have.

Thank you,

Page Coulson
Berrima, NSW

I am against the proposed rail project.

Having 1km long trains crossing the Southern Highlands at all times of the day and night will impact everyone. From traffic congesting which will be created by the 17 level crossings to the reduction of tourism as the Southern Highlands will no longer be the quiet and peaceful place it is well known for (especially in towns such as Robertson).

These trains could create unacceptable delays on emergency vehicles such as fire brigades, ambulances and police vehicles.

The coal dust which will be coming off these trains will be another issue to public health. Our hospitals are already struggling to provide the amount of care needed for our growing population of retirees in our area, adding the respiratory impacts of coal dust to the mix is not going to make things easier on anyone. Although they have an easy solution and could cover the loads to reduce the amount of dust that comes off the trains, mining companies often don't.

To whom it may concern,

I write to express my support for the proposed Hume Coal and Berrima Rail Projects (the Projects). As a qualified and experienced mining engineer, with a passion for sustainable development, I believe the proposed Projects provide a great opportunity for the State of New South Wales (NSW) to lead the way in best practice, sustainable mining operations - not only in Australia, but globally.

Hume Coal's consideration and mitigation of environmental impacts, including, but certainly not limited to; the use of a minimal impact mining method, eco-friendly construction and design practices, and `Make Good' arrangements for groundwater, demonstrate strong commitment to a truly sustainable operation. In particular, the chosen mining method is world class in the minimal impact it will have on the groundwater, subsidence and surrounding environment.

Additionally, the Projects will provide economic benefits through local employment, local spending, royalties and taxes. Working at Port Kembla, I can attest to the benefits the Projects will bring in supporting the Port Kembla Coal terminal and the people who work there, who have gone through uncertain times over the past few years.

By approving well-planned, environmentally sustainable projects, such as the Hume Coal and Berrima Rail Projects, NSW has the opportunity to make a significant global difference. The Projects will enable the supply of excellent quality coal, mined with minimal impact, rather than allowing potentially inferior coal to be supplied from less sustainable operations elsewhere in the world. With these Projects, NSW has the opportunity to demonstrate a sustainable mining future - something that is vital for our ongoing prosperity.

The Projects demonstrate the high standard of sustainable development that the people of NSW expect, and they are in line with the Premier's Priorities to grow the economy and create jobs.

For the above reasons I strongly support both the Hume Coal and Berrima Rail Projects. Thank you for your consideration.

I object to the taking of more land for a rail extension to the proposed Hume Coal Mine.

I further object to the disruption of the existing rail services on the main line from Sydney to Melbourne. Passenger trains, already slow and frequently late, will be adversely affected by long coal trains crossing it to go down to the coast. Goods trains will also be slower in delivering their freight.

Level crossing where roads cross the rail line will lead to delays in the traffic of the highlands.

Coal trains are inherently dusty, and anyone with respiratory problems will suffer from the particulates and other matter that will spread from the train as it moves.

The loads are to be covered, which is a concession to those affected. However, I am not confident that this will always occur. In particular as the project winds down at the end of its life, profits will be down and the company may not be willing or able to afford the expense of covering. The company has not always fulfilled its obligations apparently .

The development of the Berrima Branch Line will provide two benefits:
1. Improving this Branch Line for Coal trains or any other Freight Trains is a bonus for the Illawarra Economy. Currently any other freight that is brought down to the Illawarra for Export shipment or any incoming freight that is leaving the Illawarra is significantly hampered as freight trains must share the South Coast Line with Passenger trains. More freight passing through our Port will provide more work for the area.

2. Improving the ability for freight to be moved by trains will ease an already congested road system into the Illawarra. Currently, South 32 move all their coal from their Appin Mine via road trucks to Port Kembla. We would not want to see any more coal trucks on the road that could come from Hume Coal. If Hume Coal are able to move their coal via the Berrima Branch Line this opens the possibility for South 32 to do the same and help to remove the coal trucks from Mt Ousley and Illawarra roads. Less trucks on the roads makes the roads safer for the general public.

Submission regarding Berrima Rail Project SSD7171

This submission is made by Helen Saville of 1045 Old Hume Highway Alpine NSW 2575.
I would like this submission to be read in full and not simply summarised.
I strongly object to the Berrima Rail Project SSD7171 and the associated Hume Coal Project - Mine and Associated Infrastructure SSD7172. Neither project should receive planning approval as they represent unacceptable threats to the environment, the public interest and this community.
I am a long term resident of a rural area of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. I am familiar with many of the areas mentioned in Berrima Rail Project SSD7171. I reject the claims that this is a significant coal mining area and that the proposed mine and rail project should be developed and exploited. Neither serves the long term public interest.
Nature of the Hume Coal EIS: The EIS is a long and detailed document. Nevertheless I have read most of the major sections of the document. Its purpose appears to be to market the project rather than address major concerns of the Southern Highlands community.
The EIS is not a management plan or an operations manual. It is not necessarily a document that will be consulted on a daily basis by the operators of the mine and rail project if they should go ahead. For example, the company Hume Coal, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
South Korean conglomerate POSCO-Daewoo, claims in the Rail Project documents that all coal train trucks will be covered on trips to the loading facility at Port Kembla and on the return trip. However, unless this is a legislated requirement in New South Wales, it is entirely possible that this supposed condition will be overlooked if operational timetables or staffing matters intervene. Even if this requirement were to be legislated, or set up as a condition of approval, there is widespread evidence that mining companies infringe such conditions and prefer to pay a fine, which is then claimed as a business expense.
There is little public trust in mining companies in New South Wales, as they court the communities they seek to impose mining projects on while they are trying to gain approval and then fail to carry out environmental and safety undertakings once approval is gained and mining is under way.
I therefore, along with many other local residents, regard the claim that all coal train trucks will be covered on all journeys with a degree of scepticism.
Incorrect Assumptions in the Berrima Rail Project EIS:
The EIS seeks to minimise or understate the likely impact of increased coal train traffic on the environment and the community. The EIS acknowledges the other existing users of the Berrima Branch line, the main South Line and the Unanderra to Port Kembla line.
However, the EIS claims that the Tahmoor Colliery, which also uses these rail networks, is about to close. At the time or writing in June 2017 Glencore has announced that the mine will be kept open for approximately another six months and then put up for sale. If the mine is sold, and it is likely that they are in consultation with a prospective buyer, the Tahmoor Colliery will continue to use the line for some years and therefore Hume Coal will be adding an additional four rail journeys to the approximately four trains a day from the Tahmoor Colliery. This will have a much greater impact on the line itself and the traffic delays at the 17 level crossings between Berrima Junction and Port Kembla. It is possible or even likely that road closures at rail crossings will increase to more than one and a half hours per day.
A further incorrect assumption is that the demand for access to this rail network from businesses and activities in the Moss Vale Industrial Corridor from Moss Vale to the Hume Highway will not increase over the next 20 years. This is highly unlikely as the Wingecarribee Shire Council regards it as a priority to encourage clean, light or low impact industries to develop in this corridor. Such developments will create increased demand for use of the rail networks and the local roads and highway.
The coal mine that Hume Coal/POSCO proposes will use both the rail and road networks in this area. There would be increased traffic on both and a loss of amenity to surrounding rural residents and the residents of Berrima, Medway and New Berrima, who use the highway and local roads to access the services and employment in local towns, especially Moss Vale.
It is a considerable oversight to assume that a coal mine could be developed in this area but all other aspects of the immediate area will not change substantially over a period of 20 years. I hope that the NSW Department of Planning and/or the Planning Assessment Commission will take account of these oversights or incorrect assumptions in the EIS and also request further information about likely future development in the Moss Vale Industrial Corridor from the planning staff at Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Traffic Impacts at railway level crossings: As mentioned, there are 17 level crossings which will be impacted upon between Berrima Junction and Port Kembla. The Hume Coal/POSCO Berrima Rail Project proposes modifications at only one level crossing, the heavily used crossing at Boral Cement near New Berrima.
However, the Wingecarribee Shire council has also proposed modifications of the road after the level crossing at Boral to reduce the risk of further fatalities at the black spot on the bend after the crossing. The Council plans serve the safety interests of the community and should be regarded as higher priority than Hume Coal/POSCO's plans, yet the EIS only regards the Council's plans as an alternative, not their preferred proposal. This is entirely unacceptable as the Council has greater understanding of community safety needs than Hume Coal/POSCO.
I regularly use the crossing at Boral Cement Works, with care, but it does have reasonable visibility in both directions. I also use the Sheepwash Road level crossing quite regularly and have experienced minor delays at this crossing, but no major problems. These two level crossings and the level crossing as one drives into Robertson would be the busiest in the Southern Highlands and any increased rail traffic will cause significant delays.
Coal trains as I have experienced them in trips to the Hunter Valley are usually much longer than the freight trains that currently use these rail crossings, and many of those are already quite long. However, in the Hunter Valley delays at level crossings can be up to 4.5 minutes, which can result in a considerable backup of traffic at busy times at peak hours or on weekends when tourists visit. This figure was quoted in an interview on ABC Radio National in the last year and I can vouch for this on a trip down the New England Highway early this year, where we experienced a substantial delay at Scone when a coal train went through.
Delays at the main level crossings at New Berrima, Sheepwash Road and Robertson due to increased use by coal trains can create long lines of traffic and driver frustration, which increases accident risk.
In the case of Sheepwash Road, long delays at the crossing could mean that traffic heading towards Bowral could back up almost to the Illawarra Highway turn-off at busy times. This intersection was a fatal black spot in the past and has been improved with much better road signage and a right hand turning lane, but traffic backing up because of coal train movements could cause it to become a major road accident site again, as traffic along the Illawarra highway moves at high speeds.
The level crossing on the Illawarra Highway at Robertson could also become an increased problem area because of long coal trains. There have been various accidents at this crossing over the past decades including a fatal accident in 1998 where two railway employees were killed. The Robertson area experiences a high incidence of fogs, often quite thick fogs which reduce visibility considerably, which would further affect the speed at which long coal trains could travel and therefore also create major traffic delays.
The Berrima Rail Project EIS fails to take account of specific local weather and traffic conditions that can and do affect the two major rail crossings at Sheepwash Road and Roberston. This is unacceptable.
The Berrima Rail Project EIS also fails to consider the impacts of increased coal train traffic on other rail crossings around Robertson, such as the crossings at Fountaindale Road and Mount Murray Road. The Fountaindale Road crossing has barriers and the crossing has significant usage by local residents and visitors to the Highlands. Again there is the possibility of traffic backing up towards the highway that runs through Robertson, as it is quite close to this intersection.
The Mount Murray Road level crossing has no barriers. Trains simply whistle as they are coming around the bends near this crossing. Mount Murray Road is an attractive unsealed road through bushland which is well-known to local residents and used frequently, especially on weekends by walkers, horse riders and bicycle riders. Increased rail traffic on a crossing such as this with no barriers represents a greatly increased risk to recreational users. While local users of Mount Murray Road have some knowledge of the likely movement of trains, the increasing number of visitors to the Southern Highlands will not have this knowledge.
Impact on emergencies: Maintaining road access for ambulances, rescue vehicles and rural fire service vehicles should be of far greater concern than providing access for coal trains to Port Kembla for export coal. Significant delays to ambulances and fire brigades can lead to deaths, because of blocked roads where there are no detours available. Yet the Berrima Rail Project EIS does not acknowledge or even mention the need to maintain access for emergency vehicles and seems to assume that long coal trains should have unimpeded access.
The likely delays to emergency vehicles are an unacceptable impact of this project.
Furthermore, the Berrima Rail Project EIS does not appear to have an Emergency Plan for the additional coal trains it proposes to introduce. Surely this should be a requirement, as otherwise they are relying on state, local and volunteer networks for assistance in the case of train crashes or derailment. This seems to be a major oversight in the EIS as such accidents do happen.
Environmental Impacts: Under the Berrima Rail Project, if approved, there will be a significant increase in diesel particulates along the rail network, on top of those already released into the environment by the trains which now use these rail lines. It is now clearly established that diesel particulates represent very significant health hazards for communities near rail networks. Combined with coal dust from coal train trucks, these are a toxic mix.
Even if the coal trucks are covered, there will still be some release of coal dust into the environment, as it would be extremely difficult to seal the coal trucks completely. This combined mix, especially in the windy conditions experienced in the Southern Highlands in winter and spring, will spread some distance over the areas on either side of the rail lines and could affect the health of humans and animals and coat grasses and bushland alongside the tracks. Deposits of coal dust and diesel particulates would accumulate over time and add to the bushfire risk in the areas that the trains pass through. So, despite the claims made by Hume Coal/POSCO that this project has very little environmental impact, people living in the towns, such as Moss Vale and Robertson, that the railway passes through, will experience increased airborne pollution and the significant bushland and farmland that the trains also pass through will have an increased bushfire risk.
Broader climate risks: At a time when Australia's greenhouse gas emissions are rising, when they need instead to fall, there is no justification for a new coal mine in such an environmentally sensitive and significant area as the Southern Highlands. A new coal mine which will produce thermal as well as coking coal will produce increased greenhouse gas emissions in our local area and will contribute to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in countries such as South Korea, which would be the recipient of the coal mined here.
In the supposed 20 year life of this mine, if it were approved, there will be an accelerating move away from the use of coal and countries such as South Korea are likely to impose taxes on polluting industries and imported coal. This is already being discussed by the recently elected government of South Korea.
At this point in our history, there is only a justification for mining enough coking coal to keep Australia's steel industry in operation, until alternative sources of energy for steel making are developed. Therefore Australia needs to move towards greatly reducing exports of both thermal and coking coal before other countries begin to restrict coal imports to a point which forces the closure of many more mines in this country. A planned move away from coal is a far more sensible response to changing times and markets than a sudden collapse in coal demand because other countries are moving quickly to renewable energy and away from coal.
In this context, this mine and all new coal mines in New South Wales should be rejected. The claims by Hume Coal in its EIS that this is an "ecologically sustainable development" are totally absurd. The further claim that mining coal over 20 years, in a rural community which is seeking to establish itself as a clean, green, food producing community for the long term, somehow contributes to intergenerational equity by creating a small number of jobs and a relatively small amount of royalties for the New South Wales Government, is equally illogical.
The long term public interest and intergenerational equity are best served by the preservation of farmland and bushland to provide clean food and clean air for all who will live here in the rest of the 21st century and beyond.

This rail work will make noise pollution and visual pollution in the town of Berrima. Berrima is a historic town and very attractive for tourists at the moment. This railway will negatively impact on the town and it's residents as well as the tourist trade.

LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT JEOPARDISED BY COAL MINING PLAN IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
The recent decision by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to reject further plans for an open-cut coal mine right next to long-established horse breeding studs in the Hunter Valley at long last brings a welcome breath of sanity into the whole debate about mining of any kind in already developed areas.
The PAC, quite reasonably, decided that: "the stud farms would be adversely affected by air quality and blast noise from the mine", and that "The project would have unacceptable negative economic and social impacts in the locality." The report then goes on to declare that: "The project is incompatible with the particular nature, operations and requirements of existing land uses -- and the medium to long-term sustainability of the ... critical industry cluster would be detrimentally impacted."
This far-sighted decision should provide a precedent for banning development of mining in any area already established for agricultural, pastoral or settlement purposes. Over 12,000 people in the Southern Highlands have signed SHCAG's petition objecting to Hume Coal's plan to open a mine in the area; it would be hard to find a dozen supporters for the idea.
The Southern Highlands is a unique rural, residential, recreational and tourism area, 125 km south of Sydney, and forms a vital part of the Sydney water catchment area. At the centre of it lies Berrima village, one of the oldest inland pioneer settlements in Australia.
Throughout the village, charming Georgian cottages and sandstone residences dot a landscape that has so far largely been spared the ravages of excessive development. It is a heritage jewel that is now being endangered by an unsightly and polluting coal mining project owned by a foreign company, with all its associated threats to both our heritage and environment.
Another of the main hazards is environmental. An independent study predicts massive, irreversible impacts on the Southern Highlands if the proposed coal-mining proceeds. This fertile farming community lies within the Sydney catchment area, and precious groundwater will be compromised by the mining process.
In addition, the unpleasant effects of windblown dust from above-ground dumps, as well as coal loading and its continual rail transport, will be felt not only by the local population, but also the pastoral and wine growing industries. Tourism will also be negatively impacted.
By the same precedent that rejected mining in the Hunter area, the proposed Berrima coal mine should not be approved. Such industry should only be permitted in otherwise undeveloped land, where any subsequent settlement would be by people who freely choose to live in an established industrial environment.

HERITAGE AND TOURISM WILL BE IMPACTED BY SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS COAL MINING
At the centre of the Southern Highlands is Berrima village, lying amidst the Southern Highlands; a unique rural, residential, recreational and tourism area 125 km south of Sydney. This fertile farming community - one of the oldest inland pioneer settlements in Australia - is a heritage jewel that also forms a vital part of the Sydney water catchment area, which is now being endangered by an unsightly and polluting coal mining project proposed by Hume Coal; a foreign company. Research indicates that its precious groundwater will be compromised by the mining process, with its associated threat to our environment.
Another of the main threats is to the unique heritage of the area. Throughout Berrima village, charming Georgian cottages and sandstone residences dot a landscape that has so far largely been spared the ravages of excessive development. As a result, the whole of the Southern Highlands draws a vast number of local and overseas tourists every year, who tend to return time after time to enjoy the unspoilt "village atmosphere" of the area.
It is also the centre of a recently established and already booming wine industry - itself a vital tourism attraction and export earner - which is already gaining a world-wide reputation for possessing a "Bordeaux" climate with its distinctive, prize-winning cool weather wines. All this will be threatened by a polluting and visually unsightly coal industry.
An independent study predicts massive, irreversible impacts on the Southern Highlands if the proposed coal-mining proceeds. In addition, the unpleasant effects on the pastoral and wine growing industries of windblown dust from above-ground dumps, as well as by coal loading and its associated rail transport, will be felt not only by the local population, but also tourism will be negatively impacted.
The recent decision by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to reject further plans for an open-cut coal mine right next to long-established horse breeding studs in the Hunter Valley brings a welcome breath of sanity into the whole debate.
The PAC sensibly decided that: "the stud farms would be adversely affected by air quality and blast noise from the mine", and that "The project would have unacceptable negative economic and social impacts in the locality." The report then goes on to declare that: "The project is incompatible with the particular nature, operations and requirements of existing land uses -- and the medium to long-term sustainability of the ... critical industry cluster would be detrimentally impacted."
This far-sighted decision should provide a precedent for banning in principal any future development of mining in areas already established for agricultural, pastoral or settlement purposes. It would mean that such a project could only proceed if a majority of the area's existing residents approved of it. Over 12,000 people in the Southern Highlands have signed SHCAG's petition objecting to the mining project; the proponents of which would be hard pressed to find a dozen individuals that genuinely approved of it.
Such an industry should only be permitted in otherwise unused land, where any subsequent settlement would be by people willing to live in an established industrial environment. By the same precedent, the proposed Berrima coal mine should not be approved.

Berrima Rail Project SSD 7171

Delays at Rail Crossings:

The EIS and DA lodged by Hume Coal in respect of the Berrima Rail Project shows that there will be additional traffic delays at level crossings. ( ES 3.3 )
The return journey to/ from the Southern Highlands will involve in total 8 rail journeys including down the escarpment to Port Kembla .. this will add an extra 24 minutes of closures at rail crossings .. EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Major crossings ( at Robertson and Sheepwash road ) will be impacted upon daily .. several times a day.
The almost 30% increase in the total time rail crossings will be closed daily will undoubtedly have a NEGATIVE and DETRIMENTAL effect on the communities use of the roads and especially impacting on emergency services such as ambulance , police , and fire response crews. In a rural area these response times are already slower than they are in Metropolitan areas ..these response times will be even further effected .. negatively.

Noise and air pollution.
The noise generated by the locomotives and their fuel emissions will have a detrimental effect and impact on the landscape through which they travel.
This area is known and sought after by ( not only i's residents ) but also by travelers and visitors form Sydney and Canberra regions for it's tranquility, its air quality, its fauna and flora.

Flora and Fauna
The impact on both flora and fauna will be adversely effected by the mine and it's associated rail project

I refer to Berrima Rail Project SSD7171 and completely object to this project on the following basis. We bought our house in Berrima in 2013 with the idea of retiring in this lovely area. We appreciate the pristine environment of the southern highlands, the 4 seasons in every year, the abundant wild life, the historical elements of the area and the friendly village atmosphere. We are now devastated at the thought of 4 daily coal carrying trains moving back and forth through Berrima and on to Moss Vale, Robertson and eventually lumbering down the escarpment to Port Kembla as this will impact not only on noise and dust and create time delays at the various level crossings, but will completely spoil the beautiful uniqueness of the Southern Highlands. With a rail line like this the area will start to resemble Raymond Terrace near Newcastle made ugly by long, long lines of coal trucks. Vehicular traffic in the area will be made worse by constant delays while these huge trains pass through towns, and even though Hume Coal has indicated the coal trucks will be covered, there will naturally be coal dust spayed into the air as they pass by schools, shops and residences on their way- how on earth can this be good for our region, our environment and the health of our people? Furthermore, what if police or emergency vehicles need to use the road crossings while the coal trains are using the lines, they will be delayed and this will impact on the people too.

Berrima village is an historic town which attracts many tourists who enjoy the atmosphere, the shopping and the chilly winter's days and a day in the country enjoying one of the town's restaurants or picnicking in the park with the family. We are privileged to live in this beautiful area and we want to keep it that way. We don't want to see the towns, the environment of the people suffer for this harsh enterprise and the thought of a huge coal train lumbering in the background will impact on all of those priorities.

I wish to object to the building of a Berrima Branch Line across the Southern Highlands over several road crossings.
This will incur many hours of waiting times for all car users to travel relatively short distances.
I object also to the length and frequencies of trains making noise and air pollution.
I also object because I travel the Old Hume Highway and Berrima Road daily and the whole project will affect the minor badly kept road from increased road traffic putting drivers at risk.

Noise will affect us.
Lights will affect us.
24 hour operation
Dust from the carriages.

i support this project in conjunction with the Humecoal Project submission

I reject the Berrima Rail Project SSD7171 to connect the Hume Coal Project. I am concerned about the additional traffic delays at level crossings and the 24 minutes of closures at rail level crossings every day. I also am totally opposed to the Hume Coal Project and will not support any measure that will support it.

This project is critical for the success of the Hume Coal Project. To separate the two is kind of stupid - it's all or nothing.
The construction and operation of this project will generate jobs and royalties for NSW Govt over a significant period of time. Coal mining and railing is nothing new in NSW - the risks and impacts are extremely well understood and can be safely operated in conjunction with surrounding industries without issue.
I support the project.

Supporting this project to allow for Hume Coal project, boost to economy and local jobs, providing additional infrastructure to the area

I am in favour of this project as it it necessary for the Hume Coal Project to proceed.

The Berrima Rail Project represents a major infrastructure investments by a private company to the benefit of the local community.

I support this project

The project will improve the utilisation of regional public assets and improve public safety and road congestion through the use of rail, rather the truck movements.