State Significant Development
Dendrobium Mine Extension Project
Wollongong City
Current Status: Determination
Interact with the stages for their names
- SEARs
- Prepare EIS
- Exhibition
- Collate Submissions
- Response to Submissions
- Assessment
- Recommendation
- Determination
Proposed extension to the Dendrobium Coal Mine.
Link to the Independent Planning Commission's page for the Project
https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2020/10/dendrobium-extension-project-…
Attachments & Resources
Request for SEARs (1)
SEARs (2)
EIS (47)
Response to Submissions (3)
Agency Advice (14)
Amendments (2)
Additional Information (12)
Recommendation (7)
Determination (3)
Approved Documents
There are no post approval documents available
Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.
Complaints
Want to lodge a compliance complaint about this project?
Make a ComplaintEnforcements
There are no enforcements for this project.
Inspections
There are no inspections for this project.
Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.
Submissions
Alison Smith
Object
Alison Smith
Message
Rosie Simmons
Object
Rosie Simmons
Message
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,
Rosie Simmons
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
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Craig Bowen
Support
Craig Bowen
Message
Provides a future workplace within Illawarra for thousands of families both directly and indirectly.
Coal from Dendrobium Mine is some of the best in the world. The country needs to utilise our resources that we have.
The setbacks from water courses and bodies are strictly followed.
Adam Roots
Support
Adam Roots
Message
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
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
Winnie Fu
Object
Winnie Fu
Message
While this submission may have be similar, it has been edited to reflect my personal views as a resident of Sydney.
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. This brings the total emissions to between 256 million and 260.7 million tonnes of CO2e for the life of the project .
• 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.”
• 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 . 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 . This is comparable to 1.6% of Australia’s current annual emissions.
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.
The location of this mine is such that it is not possible to offset another piece of land to mitigate damage so close to the dam. This is a permanent loss of catchment area and pristine land that is impossible to 'offset'.
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 . 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 .
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 , 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.
I 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
Winnie Fu
Figure sources:
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
Environmental Assessment Part 2, Section 6, pp 150 – 151 accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696
Gloucester Resources Limited v Minister for Planning [2019] NSWLEC 7, Item 491, accessed at:
https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5c59012ce4b02a5a800be47f#_Toc431203
http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/greenhouse-gas-measurement/publications/quarterly-update-australias-nggi-dec-2018
Environmental Assessment Part 2, Section 6, pp 150 – 151, op cit
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6295531/bluescope-wont-say-dendrobium-closure-could-finish-steelworks/
Subsidence Report for Dendrobium Mine, MSEC, 2019, pp 35 – 37, accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696
Ibid
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
Surface Water Assessment, HEC, 2019, p ix, accessed at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9696
ibid, p 111
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
William Holliday
Object
William Holliday
Message
Sue Abbott
Object
Sue Abbott
Message
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
Sue Abbott
A concerned Earth Protector and Harriet's grandmother
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
Beverley Atkinson
Object
Beverley Atkinson
Message
Government needs to operate on a Wartime footing in view of the emergency which faces us all; not to further empty the catchments of usable water for the growing population, to please the rich lobbyists and gain quick money. For the sake of the continued life and health of Sydneysiders, full protection from mining should now be put in place. That would apply even if water were the only loss; but the loss extends to the geology which, undamaged, would restore the water supplies. The loss extends to the shading and root-reinforcement of the banks of the catchments. It extends to habitat and biodiversity, but of course Government has no interest in that.
Water and air are our basic requirements, whereas energy and steel are entirely secondary.
But even if steel were essential to life, Dendrobium's coal yield is only one third used for Wollongong. That means that if the remainder is stockpiled for steel instead of sold for cash, the Dendrobium mine need not be extended for steel production. That is the course the Government should now take: Do not extend this mining life, but retain its present yield until end of life, for the steel. By that time, our transfer to sustainable energy production will be well under way. People will be using less, building less, restoring and preserving more, just to survive, at a lower level. The pipedream of growing wealth and luxury is limited to the well paid; but even they will have to pay growing water bills if Dendrobium is allowed to put another hole in our tank.
So say no, retain the existing coal yield for steel, and switch to Wartime footing in order to prolong life here for our children.
Thankyou.
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Socio-Economic Benefits
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 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.
If approval of the project is not forthcoming, one of the main economic threads of our community will cease having a massive impact on the economic wellbeing of the region, not to mention my family and friends.
If the project is not approved, and coal in the Illawarra dies, then PKCT and the steelworks probably wont be far behind.
The National strategic importance of Port Kembla Steelworks (one of only two of australias steelworks) and the coal industry that underpins it cannot be understated in the current uncertain times.
Please ensure the project is approved and the economic lifeblood of the Illawarra continues to support our families.
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Jessica Young
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Jessica Young
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I object to creating new coal mines because we're currently on track to warm the planet by 4-6% by the end of this century which is a mere 80 years away. Even the 2% target increase is considered dangerous. More than this will probably mean the death of most life on the planet. Our children's lives will be severely, adversely affected.
Australia is the driest country on the planet, and is currently having major fires, which started seasons early, in late winter. 90% of NSW is currently in drought, at the start of spring! Climate change needs action NOW! We need to put 100% of our effort into renewable energy. We have stacks of it (unlike Europe, who are way ahead of us). Even China is way ahead of us in switching to solar power and electric cars. We need to get with the program and become a leader in this vital transformation, which also presents a huge opportunity for smart businesses. There are new industries to be exploited, from using waste to generate power and make recycled building materials to small scale wind (think windmill on every house). And we need to ditch our outdated, 19th century reliance on dirty, polluting coal.
Additionally, this mine puts water supplies at risk. At a time when water is becoming scarcer, this is madness. Most dams, rivers and water supplies are already dangerously low.
Show real leadership and stop putting our kid’s future at risk.
Our school and university kids are marching for action on Climate Change this Friday. Show them you give a damn and reject this mine without hesitation.
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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
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
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Our water storage is at low enough levels now to warrant water restrictions on the residents of Sydney. 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.
I ask that you reject this application from Illawarra Coal and commence a process to close the mine at Dendrobium permanently.