Dendrobium Mine Extension Project

I am writing in support of this Project. The continuation of this operation is essential for the local and wider community for the below reasons:
* The amended proposal takes into all the recommendations listed in the original IPC decision adequately.
* The revised plan has been significantly altered to mitigate environmental impacts with the need of the local and state economies.
* This is a continuation of existing operations in the Metropolitan Special Area (20 years) - the impacts are known and are mitigated. There is real data that demonstrates that safe and efficient longwall mining can continue in this area. There's a long history of similar operations operating in similar environments for over a century.
* The product is an essential supplier for Australian steelmaking. In recent turbulent times, guaranteed safe supply of Australian coal making Australian steel manufacturing is imperative.
* The revision adequately addresses the water impact and Upland Swamp concerns from the IPC.
* South32 is a critical industry that provides the ongoing employment of 700+ people. Local suppliers and businesses positively benefit from the continuation of the operation.
* The real-time groundwater monitoring data available instills confidence from existing operational impacts as opposed to model predictions.
* This Project sufficiently addresses the IPC decision and should be recommended for approval.

I implore the DPIE and minister to endorse this extension of existing operations for the aforementioned reasons.

Dendrobium Mine extension provides a significant benefit to the local economy by providing substantial employment opportunities within the Illawarra. The company also uses local suppliers and contracting companies to further increase the economic benefit to the local community. The project extension has been classified as state significant infrastructure and will employ an extra 100 persons during construction with the ongoing employment benefit to a further 700 people within the region. The mined metallurgical coal is vital in the production of steel to support blue scope steel at Port Kembla.

South32’s Dendrobium Mine has a proven record of being an environmental responsible company. It is an equal opportunity employer and has a culture which is inclusive and diverse.

The Illawarra region has a long history of Metallurgical Coal mining. South32 has been operating in the region for many years providing continued support to community groups, events and sporting organisations. The extension of Dendrobium Mine will generate continued support in the region and the company should be commended for the level of community consultation and programs that the company has implemented to date.

I support this extension project and continued operations at Dendrobium Mine.

Dendrobium mine produce metallurgical coal. With this extension community will be benefited.

The extension of the Dendrobium mine means the security of hundreds (if not thousands) of jobs into the future.

I support the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project for the following reasons:
1. The Project will produce metallurgical coal, a critical ingredient to steelmaking, supporting the Australian Steel Industry and its role in the transition to a low carbon economy.
2. Compared the to the previous application, the Project has a 60%reduction in the longwall mine area preserving the water catchment.
3. The Project will create 100 project construction jobs and 50 new operational roles, and secure the ongoing employment of 650 people at Dendrobium Mine.
4. The Project will continue our $240 million annual spend with local businesses.
5. The Project will contribute $280 million in royalties (in real terms) and about $160 million in State and Corporate tax to the NSW and Commonwealth governments.

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project is a vital undertaking for myself and many other members of the Illawarra Community. The Project will sustain our income and career progression for the majority of our working lives. This will mean a secure income to support a future family with a stable livelihood.

This is a great opportunity for the community.
They have mined this area for 20yrs with very minimal impact on the environment I believe it should go ahead.

I believe it is a critical business for steel making in the Illawarra, until they can produce green steel it should go ahead.
Great for the community and business in the Illawarra

The project would be a positive step forward for the community and will provide further local jobs.

All for the extension to go ahead.

I support this project on the basis of its significant economic benefits and robust environmental controls.

Coal has been mined responsibly in the Illawarra for close to two centuries and is the lifeblood of the region.

There are currently no commercially viable alternatives to metallurgical coal in the steelmaking process, the world needs this high quality coal

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project will secure long term jobs for the local community. South32 have amended their mine plan to further protect the water catchment area by reducing their longwall mining footprint and must comply with strict regulations. Until alternative options for steel making are readily available and economically sound we must continue to support and use local steel making and coal mining.

I support the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project and the important contribution it will make to the Illawarra economy and Australia's manufacturing capability.

N/A

The Dendrobium Mine extension supports the Illawarra region, people and businesses myself included.

I object to the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project not only on the basis of the following dot points but in particular that the existing & potential environmental impacts within a whole cities drinking water catchment area far outweigh some coal-based regional economic benefits. This is fast becoming outdated short-term small-minded thinking - we need to think outside the square and consider other forms of less destructive ways of gaining regional economic benefit. It is time to get serious about protecting, at all costs, our precious drinking water catchments…our lives, and those of future generations, depend upon it.
I believe that in order to begin to properly protect our drinking water catchments any additional longwall mining and any continued loss of surface water is simply not an acceptable nor sustainably viable option.
I have concerns with many aspects of this proposal - the following being but a few:
• Existing and potential surface subsidence and fractures connecting the surface to the mine hundreds of metres below.
• Existing and potential destruction of upland swamps and an uncounted number of creeks and drainage lines.
• Dangerously close proximity to the edges of the Avon and Cordeaux dams.

This project will provide continual employment for over 500 employees and create 300 additional jobs in the construction stage. The continual operation of the Dendrobium mine also provides royalties to the NSW and Federal governments that provide services to our community. South32 and the Dendrobium Mine is a major part of the local community in which it operates. If this project was not to proceed there would be major economic and emotional impacts on our community. I fully support the continuation of this mine.

Keeping local Illawarra people employed through many different industries

This project helps to provide critical jobs and resources in the community. This provides an economic benefit to the community as a whole as the secure jobs that are created encourages economic stability and security which increases spending on local small businesses. This is incredibly important in the current economic environment where inflation is putting immense pressure on the community. Employers like this that offer wages above award rates are crucial for the economy and members of the community to survive at this time.

Industry is vital for our regions ongoing concern