Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project

My submission is attached

I object to the Delta Coal Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project because data has emerged this year that Australian coal is even worse for climate change than has previously been predicted.
In fact, it was reported this year by Dr Sabina Assan (1) from Ember, a London-based international non-profit energy think tank, that methane leaking from Australian coalmines causes almost double the climate impact every year of all of Australia’s cars! Dr Assan, in her analysis of Australian coal mines, found that calculations of methane emissions were wrong. The emissions were also often under-reported and threatened to derail the nation’s reduction targets. The worst example of an Australian mine was found to emit 10 times more of the gas than its official estimate.
Apparently, some mines emit more methane than others and according to the report prepared for Ember, the Delta Chain Valley mines are among the highest emitters, as they are thermal coal mines (1). Coal mines produce almost 4 times the methane of our oil and gas industry in NSW and QLD and We cannot increase the mining of thermal coal.
Australia has only recently agreed to join the Global Methane Pledge and reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. However, Australia is one of the biggest methane emitters from coal mining and we won’t be able to get away with under-reporting because methane in the atmosphere can now be tracked and measured from satellites in space. Currently we are being challenged by European Space Agency data. (2).
In Australia, our beef and dairy industries are doing their best to reduce methane from their animals at great expense and research effort. Methane from cattle can be measured and taken into account as we do our share to reduce global warming. We are also being encouraged to reduce meat consumption to help reduce production of methane. Any supermarket will attest to the reduction in meat consumption as Australians are only too aware that meat production contributes to greenhouse gases and catastrophic change in our weather patterns! On the other hand, we turn a blind eye to the massive contribution of methane emissions from coal mines earning massive profits. Despite CSIRO research, no viable method of collecting methane from open cut or underground coal mines has been developed.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) study (3) of how to transition to a net zero energy system by 2050, found that methane emissions from the coal mining industry must be reduced by 75% from 2020 levels by 2030 to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5C.We know coal needs to be phased out and we know that alternative energy forms are rapidly taking the place of coal. We still need coal for steel production but shutting down thermal coal is the obvious decision for Australia’s economic future and to avoid climate catastrophe.
Australia’s thermal coal mines produce much more methane than we have calculated or admitted. Cutting out thermal coal mining is imperative if we are to reach our GHG emission targets by 2030 and zero by 2050. To continue to allow the expansion of thermal coal mines is criminal because we cannot deny there are alternatives and we cannot deny that we know that delaying their closure is not an option.


References
1. Dr Sabina Assan Coal Mine Methane Analyst 18th October 2022
Australia’s coal mines can deliver two-thirds of methane cuts. Australia could reduce its total annual methane emissions by 18% by 2030 from coal mines alone, delivering two-thirds of its commitment in the Global Methane Pledge
2. ABC News Fri 3rd Dec 2021. How satellites are challenging Australia's official greenhouse gas emission figures
3. Net Zero By 2050 , A Roadmap for the Energy Sector. Flagship report May 2021. https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050

I would like to submit my support for the CVC consolidation project
I have been an underground coal miner for more than 30 years. In this time i have lived and worked in 3 different districts/communities. ( Wollongong, Mudgee and Lake macquarie)
In this time i feel that coal mining in these communities has always provided a great income and well-being for myself, my family and the community overall.
We are lucky to have coal as a resource in our area to provide us with jobs supporting power generation.
Delta coal have been a good company to work for and have always been supportive to me and the greater community.. as have all the coal mine companies i have worked for over my career
This project is a great positive for our region

I support this proposal as chain valley directly employs over 200 people in 4 local council areas to enable consistent supply of fuel to vales point power station. This will prolong the life of the mine therefore keeping these people employed and contributing to the local economies. This mine is of critical importance to a major peice of state infrasructure which whose continued operation is integral to the state's energy interests.

The project will help with local jobs, not only the jobs at the colliery but also the countless company’s that supply the colliery with goods and services.

Maintains employment for over 300 people in the Newcastle area.

I would like to put forward my full support for this project. As it will be good for the community and the work force.

The Project ensures ongoing security for over 300 employees and provides significant economic benefits for the local and regional economies. The Project also secures coal supply to the adjacent Vales Point Power Station which is critical to the generation of base load electricity.

The mine is my and my families livelihood. The resources are vital and I believe the mine does what it can environmentally.

Say yes to the project and extend the life of the coal mine and the power station so people don’t lose there jobs in 8 years time

I totally support the project

I am writing in support of this project.
Delta Coal, with both Mannering and Chain Valley mines currently support families in the local community, Hunter and Central coast wide. This is through direct and indirect employment.

The mine directly employs so many people, but the outreach is exponential. From the small business suppliers to large equipment manufacturing. Local manufacturing and supply are something we need to hold onto in our community and in Australia. As seen through the COVID pandemic.

Chain Valley and Mannering are the main coal supplier to Vales Point power Station. The power station currently provides a tried and proven base load for the network. With the push for reduced emissions and the need for base load capacity, it would be reasonable to remove haulage and the subsequent emissions by using current facilities close to the energy provider.
This would also allow lower energy cost for consumers right across NSW.

Please consider the employment impact to the local communities and the indirect impact to the wider communities. The impact to families. And the need to maintain cost effective and lowest carbon base load electricity in NSW.

It will be a benefit to the local community. Creating more jobs directly and indirectly which will benefit the families of some many people.

Chain valley provides jobs and economic stimulus to hundreds of local families.

Great for job security and growth of the community

I think this project should definitely go ahead as we are not currently in any way as a country or state ready to move away from coal fired power and this project helps to extend the future of the two mines and the Vales point power station at the same time. This project also locks in a large number of local jobs, funds and benefits to the state and local community. Thank you

I object to this proposal because the proponent has not adequately assessed the likely greenhouse gas (GHG) risks and cumulative impacts as required by the SEARs, and has not attempted to mitigate the likely economic, social or environmental impacts. Using our prime minister’s phrase, the proposal does not stack up environmentally or economically. My observations on the proponent's assessment are attached.

The proposal represents continuing activities that are a leading cause of physical impacts already observed and experienced in Australia and documented in recent State of the Environment, State of the Climate, and UN reports. The observed impacts have led the International Energy Agency to declare that there should be no new oil, coal and gas proposals.

The Department should reject this proposal because the proponent has not complied with the SEARs, has not offered any mitigation of likely impacts, and has not adequately observed the principles of ecologically sustainable development. The likely impacts of the proposal are unacceptable and it is not in the public interest. The proposal directly conflicts with state and federal policy objectives, the federal Climate Change Act, and international commitments such as the Global Methane Pledge.

I believe this proposal is a positive initiative for the local and broader community. It will provide certainty for the future of the mine, power station and the energy that is provided to the people of NSW. Over the course of 60 years, Chain Valley Colliery and Vales Point Power Station, have provided reliable base load power to the residents and business of the local area and right across the state. With continued operation, it will continue to provide well paying jobs for locals people and business which have far reaching impacts on the local community. I whole heartedly support this project.

Please do not proceed with this project. This will have massive impacts on health and the lake with a projected 780mm subsidence under the lake. The potential of 270 coal trucks per day on overcrowded local roads. I strongly object to this proposal.

I support the project as it is a reliable major supplier of coal to critical state infrastructure that has proven itself over the last few years of exceptional wet weather where other suppliers have not been able to get their products out to market because the rail network has had to contend with flooding. Furthermore Chain Valley offers stable employment to over 200 direct employees and vastly more indirectly employed people through services to the coal industry. Chain Valley is a great supporter of the Central Coast community and by passing this submission it will sure up the continued supply of coal needed to keep the lights on in our great State, keeping hundreds if not thousands in gainful employment with people spending in their local community and the community projects will enjoy the continued support from the company.
Thank you.