Dendrobium Mine Extension Project

there is now strong evidence that the environmental consequences in the Special Areas are greater than predicted when the mining was proposed and approved

As a geologist and a man in my late 20s. I am pleased that there are some foward thinkers who understand that this country requires mining in a big way. The life blood of the country will be strong with mine extensions like this.

The reasons for my objection to the proposal by South32 to extend the Dendrobium Mine near Mt Kembla are set out in the attached document. I am appalled that the company wants to carry out longwall mining in the water catchment for Wollongong, Macarthur and Sydney and call on the Department to consider and expose the risks to water supplies and the environment that this proposal would pose in the short and longterm future of NSW. Please reject it.

I object to the Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium. Project SSD-8194.


The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project proposes 30 years of longwall mining in the water catchment for Wollongong, Macarthur and Sydney. It will result in damage and loss of water to swamps, water courses and the Avon, Cordeaux and Nepean Reservoirs[i]. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. The proposed mining is in the protected “Special Areas” of the water catchment upon which 5 million people rely for drinking water. We are in drought, paying for desalinated water and our dam levels are below 50% and yet the Dendrobium proposal has the highest water loss of any mine operating in the Greater Sydney Water Catchment area.

This project is not in the public interest; it is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be reckless and immoral for the Department of Planning to support this expansion.

The proposal will result in significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions

The proposal is estimated to create up to 23.7 million tonnes of CO2e in the production stage and 237 million tonnes in the transport and consumption of the coal produced. This brings the total emissions to between 256 million and 260.7 million tonnes of CO2e for the life of the project[ii].

The current climate emergency means it is no longer morally acceptable for the NSW government to support projects that will severely negatively impact its capacity to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Rocky Hill case supported climate responsibility in its judgement against the Rocky Hill mine, citing the mining SEPP Clause 14 (2): “... the consent authority must consider an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions (including downstream emissions) of the development.”[iii]

To put the volume of emissions in context, the federal government estimates Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions for the year to December 2018 as 538.2 million tonnes[iv]. Thus approval of this mine would lock in emissions over the life of the project the equivalent of 48% of the 2018 annual emissions for all of Australia.

Annually it would add an average of 8.69 million tonnes per annum (260.7 million tonnes over 30 years) of CO2e to the atmosphere[v]. This is comparable to 1.6% of Australia’s current annual emissions.


South 32’s brinkmanship should not compromise public interest

South 32 has said that if this proposal is not approved, it will spell the end for the Port Kembla Steelworks and the Port Kembla Coal Terminal. This is misleading and unhelpful to understanding the public interest in relation to this coal mine.

There are still 11 years of mining at Dendrobium under current approvals (for area 3A and 3B) and South 32 operates other coal mines in the region. South 32 is only selling one third of Dendrobium’s coal to BHP for use in Port Kembla Steelworks. It is exporting the other two thirds.

Bluescope Steel’s Port Kembla steelworks declined to confirm that the steelworks would collapse if the proposed Dendrobium expansion does not go ahead[vi], so we have to question the truth and motivation for this brinkmanship.


30 year’s of mining is too long

South 32 is seeking approval for 30 years of mining at Dendrobium. This is far too long. Increasing population pressure on water resources and impacts of climate change mean that it would be reckless and irresponsible for the New South Wales Department of Planning to support a 30 year approval.


South 32 has not provided alternatives to this aggressive and destructive mining proposal

The proposal comprises an aggressive plan for twenty one 305 meter wide longwall panels over 30 years. It provides no alternatives to this destructive proposal, a proposal which poses unacceptable risks to the Greater Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas.



Offsets do not compensate for mining-induced destruction of catchment land and ecosystems

South 32‘s proposal to offset catchment land and ecological communities that have been irreparably damaged by mining is not in the public interest; truly like-for-like offsets are rare. Furthermore, there is no “equivalent” land that could compensate for damaged and compromised water catchment.



Mining induced subsidence will damage the watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs

South 32 predicts that it’s 305 meter wide long wall panels may result in subsidence of 2m to 2.45m[vii]. Previous mines of similar width have caused 2.5m to 3 m of subsidence, so South 32’s prediction may be conservative[viii].

The mining and associated subsidence will also cause cracking of the land on the surface – including rivers, creeks, smaller watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs – and subsequent water loss to the catchment.

No level of damage is acceptable to the Special Areas. It would be immoral for the NSW Department of planning to support this level of destruction in Greater Sydney’s water catchment.

Billions of litres of water will be lost from Greater Sydney’s Water Catchment

The proposed mining is just 300m from Avon Reservoir and 630m from Cordeaux Reservoir[ix]. The mining will cause loss of water from water courses and swamps that feed the reservoirs.

Water loss from the catchment due to Dendrobium’s mining will increase over the coming years, with surface water loss expected to peak at 27.6 ML per day in the year 2035[x].

Consultants estimate that up to 9,500 Megalitres[xi] (ML – million litres) of surface and ground water will flow into the mines each year, which is the equivalent to the annual water usage of 123,940 residents of Greater Sydney[xii].

We ask that you reject this application from Illawarra Coal and commence a process to close the mine at Dendrobium permanently.


​

This project will significantly contribute to the illawarra and NSW economy, creating hundreds of local jobs which also has an onflow effect to many other industries like manufacturing and engineering.
The project will generate hundreds of millions in royalties to the NSW government.
The project will generate billions of dollars to the local and NSW economy.

I object to the Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium. Project SSD-8194.

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project proposes 30 years of longwall mining in the water catchment for Wollongong, Macarthur and Sydney. It will result in damage and loss of water to swamps, water courses and the Avon, Cordeaux and Nepean Reservoirs. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. The proposed mining is in the protected “Special Areas” of the water catchment upon which 5 million people rely for drinking water. We are in drought, paying for desalinated water and our dam levels are below 50% and yet the Dendrobium proposal has the highest water loss of any mine operating in the Greater Sydney Water Catchment area.
This project is not in the public interest; it is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be reckless and immoral for the Department of Planning to support this expansion.
The proposal will result in significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions
• The proposal is estimated to create up to 23.7 million tonnes of CO2e in the production stage and 237 million tonnes in the transport and consumption of the coal produced.
• The current climate emergency means it is no longer morally acceptable for the NSW government to support projects that will severely negatively impact its capacity to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Rocky Hill case supported climate responsibility in its judgement against the Rocky Hill mine, citing the mining SEPP Clause 14 (2): “... the consent authority must consider an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions (including downstream emissions) of the development.”.
• Annually it would add an average of 8.69 million tonnes per annum (260.7 million tonnes over 30 years) of CO2e to the atmosphere. This is comparable to 1.6% of Australia’s current annual emissions.

30 year’s of mining is too long
• South 32 is seeking approval for 30 years of mining at Dendrobium. This is far too long. Increasing population pressure on water resources and impacts of climate change mean that it would be reckless and irresponsible for the New South Wales Department of Planning to support a 30 year approval.

South 32 has not provided alternatives to this aggressive and destructive mining proposal
• The proposal comprises an aggressive plan for twenty one 305 meter wide longwall panels over 30 years. It provides no alternatives to this destructive proposal, a proposal which poses unacceptable risks to the Greater Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas.

Offsets do not compensate for mining-induced destruction of catchment land and ecosystems
• South 32‘s proposal to offset catchment land and ecological communities that have been irreparably damaged by mining is not in the public interest; truly like-for-like offsets are rare. There is no “equivalent” land that could compensate for damaged and compromised water catchment.

Mining induced subsidence will damage the watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs
• South 32 predicts that 305 meter wide long wall panels may result in subsidence of 2m to 2.45m. Previous mines of similar width have caused 2.5m to 3 m of subsidence, so South 32’s prediction may be conservative.
• The mining and associated subsidence will also cause cracking of the land on the surface – including rivers, creeks, smaller watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs – and subsequent water loss to the catchment.
• No level of damage is acceptable to the Special Areas. It would be immoral for the NSW Department of planning to support this level of destruction in Greater Sydney’s water catchment.

Billions of litres of water will be lost from Greater Sydney’s Water Catchment
• The proposed mining is just 300m from Avon Reservoir and 630m from Cordeaux Reservoir. The mining will cause loss of water from water courses and swamps that feed the reservoirs.
• Water loss from the catchment due to Dendrobium’s mining will increase over the coming years, with surface water loss expected to peak at 27.6 ML per day in the year 2035.
• Consultants estimate that up to 9,500 Megalitres (ML – million litres) of surface and ground water will flow into the mines each year, which is the equivalent to the annual water usage of 123,940 residents of Greater Sydney.

Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission.
Brian Mason

The Dendrobium Extension project is a critical project to the economical prosperity of the Illawarra Region. The project will allow Illawarra Metallurgical Coal to continue in supporting the local steel industry and small businesses in the area.

Illawarra has a history of the supply of Metallurgical Coal to the international market and is a valuable contributor of employment to the Illawarra and Sydney regions.

For the good of the NSW economy, suppliers in the region and local residents, I would like to see the Dendrobium Extension Project approved to allow Illawarra Metallurgical Coal to continue to support the region for the next several decades.

Dendrobium Expansion Project is hugely beneficial for the Illawarra Region. It will generate local employment within and beyond the mining industry, maintain supply to Port Kembla steelworks, and generate roaylties and taxes. All the while, using existing logistics and pit top infastructure and montioring/ rehabilitating any environmental mining effects. South32 is not a careless organisation. It prides itself on sustainability and have shown that it will not progress mining activity in an area that will have known effects on the environment.

••••••••
The evidence of damage to the water catchment due to underground mining is too strong to allow this extension

I object to this damaging mining proposal.

I strongly object to any further coal mines or coal mine extensions.

Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium:

I object to the Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium. Project SSD-8194.

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project proposes 30 years of longwall mining in the water catchment for Wollongong, Macarthur and Sydney. It will result in damage and loss of water to swamps, water courses and the Avon, Cordeaux and Nepean Reservoirs[i]. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. The proposed mining is in the protected “Special Areas” of the water catchment upon which 5 million people rely for drinking water. We are in drought, paying for desalinated water and our dam levels are below 50% and yet the Dendrobium proposal has the highest water loss of any mine operating in the Greater Sydney Water Catchment area.
This project is not in the public interest; it is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be reckless and immoral for the Department of Planning to support this expansion.
The proposal will result in significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions
The proposal is estimated to create up to 23.7 million tonnes of CO2e in the production stage and 237 million tonnes in the transport and consumption of the coal produced. This brings the total emissions to between 256 million and 260.7 million tonnes of CO2e for the life of the project[ii].
The current climate emergency means it is no longer morally acceptable for the NSW government to support projects that will severely negatively impact its capacity to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Rocky Hill case supported climate responsibility in its judgement against the Rocky Hill mine, citing the mining SEPP Clause 14 (2): “... the consent authority must consider an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions (including downstream emissions) of the development.”[iii]
To put the volume of emissions in context, the federal government estimates Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions for the year to December 2018 as 538.2 million tonnes[iv]. Thus approval of this mine would lock in emissions over the life of the project the equivalent of 48% of the 2018 annual emissions for all of Australia.
Annually it would add an average of 8.69 million tonnes per annum (260.7 million tonnes over 30 years) of CO2e to the atmosphere[v]. This is comparable to 1.6% of Australia’s current annual emissions.


South 32’s brinkmanship should not compromise public interest
South 32 has said that if this proposal is not approved, it will spell the end for the Port Kembla Steelworks and the Port Kembla Coal Terminal. This is misleading and unhelpful to understanding the public interest in relation to this coal mine.
There are still 11 years of mining at Dendrobium under current approvals (for area 3A and 3B) and South 32 operates other coal mines in the region. South 32 is only selling one third of Dendrobium’s coal to BHP for use in Port Kembla Steelworks. It is exporting the other two thirds.
Bluescope Steel’s Port Kembla steelworks declined to confirm that the steelworks would collapse if the proposed Dendrobium expansion does not go ahead[vi], so we have to question the truth and motivation for this brinkmanship.

30 year’s of mining is too long
South 32 is seeking approval for 30 years of mining at Dendrobium. This is far too long. Increasing population pressure on water resources and impacts of climate change mean that it would be reckless and irresponsible for the New South Wales Department of Planning to support a 30 year approval.

South 32 has not provided alternatives to this aggressive and destructive mining proposal
The proposal comprises an aggressive plan for twenty one 305 meter wide longwall panels over 30 years. It provides no alternatives to this destructive proposal, a proposal which poses unacceptable risks to the Greater Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas.

Offsets do not compensate for mining-induced destruction of catchment land and ecosystems
South 32‘s proposal to offset catchment land and ecological communities that have been irreparably damaged by mining is not in the public interest; truly like-for-like offsets are rare. Furthermore, there is no “equivalent” land that could compensate for damaged and compromised water catchment.

Mining induced subsidence will damage the watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs
South 32 predicts that it’s 305 meter wide long wall panels may result in subsidence of 2m to 2.45m[vii]. Previous mines of similar width have caused 2.5m to 3 m of subsidence, so South 32’s prediction may be conservative[viii].
The mining and associated subsidence will also cause cracking of the land on the surface – including rivers, creeks, smaller watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs – and subsequent water loss to the catchment.
No level of damage is acceptable to the Special Areas. It would be immoral for the NSW Department of planning to support this level of destruction in Greater Sydney’s water catchment.

Billions of litres of water will be lost from Greater Sydney’s Water Catchment
The proposed mining is just 300m from Avon Reservoir and 630m from Cordeaux Reservoir[ix]. The mining will cause loss of water from water courses and swamps that feed the reservoirs.
Water loss from the catchment due to Dendrobium’s mining will increase over the coming years, with surface water loss expected to peak at 27.6 ML per day in the year 2035[x].
Consultants estimate that up to 9,500 Megalitres[xi] (ML – million litres) of surface and ground water will flow into the mines each year, which is the equivalent to the annual water usage of 123,940 residents of Greater Sydney[xii].

We ask that you reject this application from Illawarra Coal and commence a process to close the mine at Dendrobium permanently.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Regards

Rhonda Hunt

Attached is a letter outlining Wingecarribee Shire Council's position on coal mining and longwall mining in the Shire.

Dear Submissions Team,

Our planet is 5 to 5.5 billion years old. Up until now, there have been 5 major mass extinction events. The first being when all life was in the form of bacteria, when 96% was wiped out The most recent when the dinosaurs where wiped out. These 2 events were instantaneous, and the earth rebuilt it's biodiversity within 5 million years.

What is particular about this current 6th mass extinction is that is is man made and is actually an extermination. As well as the fact it is taking decades rather than a single moment, but in the scheme of billions of years, it is fairly instantaneous.

The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) are about to officially approve the term Anthropocene as a recognised subdivision of geologic time, as what we are now in the midst of is unique in global geological terms.

While various start dates for the Anthropocene have been put forward, the outstanding likely hood (85.2%) is to place its start as of 1945.

In case you haven't noticed we at the beginning of a critical water crisis, unlike ever before in human history, both locally and globally.

We have the abilities to be 100% renewable for all our energy needs, and even if we were to continue coal mining, we can NOT do it underneath our drinking water catchments.
In fact various Governments here and elsewhere have been propping up the stranded assets of the fossil fuel industries for decades.
If our elected representatives stopped propping up the stranded assets of the fossil fuel industries, they would cease to be, and 100% renewable would really replace all our energy needs much faster.

So I urge you to oppose the long wall mining extension as it is not fair of you to increase the rate of our extermination and extinction of future generations.

The earth will recover, no matter what. Oddly enough, you're in a position to decide whether we hasten the process towards extinction and extermination or not. 
Please don't decide to decimate because of a lack of understanding of alternatives to fossil fuels. 
We can turn this around if we act now, and saving this water catchment is a small but essential part in the scheme of things.

Let's make sure our grandchildren get to drink fresh drinking water, and not squander their futures for a misguided short term gain.

Yours sincerely, Ian Rose

Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium:

I object to the Illawarra Coal’s Proposed Mine Extension for Dendrobium. Project SSD-8194.

I understand that at present, the mine, without any new approvals to extend its operations, has approvals and a future life of a further 11 years. No further approvals should be given. Instead, the NSW State Government should develop a program with the mine owners to allow the mine to formally close operations at the end of the 11 years. This program must include genuine retraining and assistance to find alternative employment for all employees currently employed at the mine so that the decision by the government that the mine will close in 11 years will not disadvantage its current workforce.

In the interests of sustaining and enhancing human civilisation on this planet, and maintaining the world's biodiversity, NSW and Australia must stop mining coal, but it is unfair and unjust that the community of working people who are currently employed in coal mining should bear the brunt of a necessary decision to cease coal mining. The economic consequences of closing coal mines should be shared by the entire community and this can be done by government and the coal mine operators jointly providing a well funded program for existing coal mine employees to transition out of coal mining into other employment over the next 11 years.

The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project proposes 30 years of longwall mining in the water catchment for Wollongong, Macarthur and Sydney. It will result in damage and loss of water to swamps, water courses and the Avon, Cordeaux and Nepean Reservoirs[i]. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. The proposed mining is in the protected “Special Areas” of the water catchment upon which 5 million people rely for drinking water. We are in drought, paying for desalinated water and our dam levels are below 50% and yet the Dendrobium proposal has the highest water loss of any mine operating in the Greater Sydney Water Catchment area.

This project is not in the public interest; it is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be reckless and immoral for the Department of Planning to support this expansion.

The proposal will result in significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions

The proposal is estimated to create up to 23.7 million tonnes of CO2e in the production stage and 237 million tonnes in the transport and consumption of the coal produced. This brings the total emissions to between 256 million and 260.7 million tonnes of CO2e for the life of the project[ii].

The current climate emergency means it is no longer morally acceptable for the NSW government to support projects that will severely negatively impact its capacity to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Rocky Hill case supported climate responsibility in its judgement against the Rocky Hill mine, citing the mining SEPP Clause 14 (2): “... the consent authority must consider an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions (including downstream emissions) of the development.”[iii]

To put the volume of emissions in context, the federal government estimates Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions for the year to December 2018 as 538.2 million tonnes[iv]. Thus approval of this mine would lock in emissions over the life of the project the equivalent of 48% of the 2018 annual emissions for all of Australia.

Annually it would add an average of 8.69 million tonnes per annum (260.7 million tonnes over 30 years) of CO2e to the atmosphere[v]. This is comparable to 1.6% of Australia’s current annual emissions.


South 32’s brinkmanship should not compromise public interest

South 32 has said that if this proposal is not approved, it will spell the end for the Port Kembla Steelworks and the Port Kembla Coal Terminal. This is misleading and unhelpful to understanding the public interest in relation to this coal mine.

There are still 11 years of mining at Dendrobium under current approvals (for area 3A and 3B) and South 32 operates other coal mines in the region. South 32 is only selling one third of Dendrobium’s coal to BHP for use in Port Kembla Steelworks. It is exporting the other two thirds.

Bluescope Steel’s Port Kembla steelworks declined to confirm that the steelworks would collapse if the proposed Dendrobium expansion does not go ahead[vi], so we have to question the truth and motivation for this brinkmanship.

30 year’s of mining is too long

South 32 is seeking approval for 30 years of mining at Dendrobium. This is far too long. Increasing population pressure on water resources and impacts of climate change mean that it would be reckless and irresponsible for the New South Wales Department of Planning to support a 30 year approval.

South 32 has not provided alternatives to this aggressive and destructive mining proposal

The proposal comprises an aggressive plan for twenty one 305 meter wide longwall panels over 30 years. It provides no alternatives to this destructive proposal, a proposal which poses unacceptable risks to the Greater Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas.

Offsets do not compensate for mining-induced destruction of catchment land and ecosystems

South 32‘s proposal to offset catchment land and ecological communities that have been irreparably damaged by mining is not in the public interest; truly like-for-like offsets are rare. Furthermore, there is no “equivalent” land that could compensate for damaged and compromised water catchment.

Mining induced subsidence will damage the watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs

South 32 predicts that it’s 305 meter wide long wall panels may result in subsidence of 2m to 2.45m[vii]. Previous mines of similar width have caused 2.5m to 3 m of subsidence, so South 32’s prediction may be conservative[viii].

The mining and associated subsidence will also cause cracking of the land on the surface – including rivers, creeks, smaller watercourses and swamps that feed our drinking water reservoirs – and subsequent water loss to the catchment.

No level of damage is acceptable to the Special Areas. It would be immoral for the NSW Department of planning to support this level of destruction in Greater Sydney’s water catchment.

Billions of litres of water will be lost from Greater Sydney’s Water Catchment

The proposed mining is just 300m from Avon Reservoir and 630m from Cordeaux Reservoir[ix]. The mining will cause loss of water from water courses and swamps that feed the reservoirs.

Water loss from the catchment due to Dendrobium’s mining will increase over the coming years, with surface water loss expected to peak at 27.6 ML per day in the year 2035[x].

Consultants estimate that up to 9,500 Megalitres[xi] (ML – million litres) of surface and ground water will flow into the mines each year, which is the equivalent to the annual water usage of 123,940 residents of Greater Sydney[xii].

I ask that you reject this application from Illawarra Coal and commence a process to close the mine at Dendrobium permanently, over the next 11 years.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Wilson

​

References

[i] Dendrobium Mine – Plan for the Future: Coal for Steelmaking, Groundwater Assessment for South32 – Illawarra Coal, NPM Technical Pty Ltd trading as HydroSimulations, 2019, p 101 accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696

[ii] Environmental Assessment Part 2, Section 6, pp 150 – 151 accessed at:

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696

[iii] Gloucester Resources Limited v Minister for Planning [2019] NSWLEC 7, Item 491, accessed at:
https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5c59012ce4b02a5a800be47f#_Toc431203

[iv] http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/greenhouse-gas-measurement/publications/quarterly-update-australias-nggi-dec-2018

[v] Environmental Assessment Part 2, Section 6, pp 150 – 151, op cit

[vi] https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6295531/bluescope-wont-say-dendrobium-closure-could-finish-steelworks/

[vii] Subsidence Report for Dendrobium Mine, MSEC, 2019, pp 35 – 37, accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696

[viii] Ibid

[ix] Dendrobium Mine – Plan for the Future: Coal for Steelmaking, Groundwater Assessment for South32 – Illawarra Coal, NPM Technical Pty Ltd trading as HydroSimulations, 2019, p 101 accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696

[x] Surface Water Assessment, HEC, 2019, p ix, accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696

[xi] ibid, p 111

[xii] Based on an average daily water usage for Sydney residents of 210 litres. Source:
https://theconversation.com/why-sydney-residents-use-30-more-water-per-day-than-melburnians-117656

Continued mining would sustain the employment of Dendrobium’s workforce, create a further 100 jobs for the life of the Project and an additional 200 jobs in construction.
The Project will generate around $714 million in royalties, taxes and rates, contributing to local and state infrastructure and services.
The Project will result in a total net benefit to the NSW economy of over $2.8 billion (real, undiscounted terms), including over $1.1 billion (real, undiscounted terms) to the Greater Wollongong Region.
The Project would allow South32 to continue to support local suppliers and contractors, providing additional security and longevity of employment in the region.
The Project commits to not longwall mine under water supply reservoirs including dams, or under named watercourses and key stream features.
The Project commits to a minimum of one-kilometre setbacks from the Avon and Cordeaux dam walls.
The Project commits to pursue opportunities for industrial users to reuse our excess mine water.
South32 supports biodiversity research in the water catchment, including swamps and endangered species such as the Giant Dragonfly and the Littlejohn’s Tree Frog.
The Project would provide an ongoing and essential local supply of metallurgical coal to BlueScope Steelworks. South32 currently supplies around 60% of BlueScope Steelworks’ metallurgical coal requirements.

SSB of the NPA opposes the project due to:
1. The need to protect the water catchment
2. The need to maintain the integrity of the upland swamps and the ecological values of those swamps
3. The need to mitigate climate change
4. The need to protect and secure water supplies for the Sydney population

Refer to attachment

I object to this project because of the risks it poses to the the Water Catchment Area for Sydney and the Illawarra region.

The proposed development will result in damage and loss of water to swamps, water courses and the Avon, Cordeaux and Nepean Reservoirs. Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall mining in a publicly owned water catchment. The proposed mining is in the protected “Special Areas” of the water catchment upon which 5 million people rely for drinking water. We are in drought, paying for desalinated water and our dam levels are below 50% and yet the Dendrobium proposal has the highest water loss of any mine operating in the Greater Sydney Water Catchment area.

I dispute the arguments made on behalf of the developers concerning the impact on steel production in the Illawarra (at Port Kembla, where I live) if the project is not approved. I note that Bluescope has not supported the statements concerning the projected impact on it's coal supplies suitable for steel making if the proposal is rejected. There are still 11 years of mining at Dendrobium under current approvals (for area 3A and 3B) and South 32 operates other coal mines in the region. South 32 is only selling one third of Dendrobium’s coal to BHP for use in Port Kembla Steelworks. It is exporting the other two thirds. There is plenty of metallurgical coal for Port Kembla Steelworks into the future without this expansion. There is no valid economic argument here, and the environmental risks are very high.

I ask that the New South Wales government reject this proposal.

Submission attached.