Glendell Continued Operations Project

This project will add to the dreadful air pollution in the Hunter Valley.
Further water losses will occur. The cumulative impacts of this have not been adequately determined.
The conservation of local history has been ignored. Ravensworth homestead should not be relocated.
It is time to take some environmental responsibility and move away from the dependence on fossil fuels

I support the extension of the Glendell Continued Operations Project, due to the economic, social and community benefits it will provide to the Lower Hunter region for several years. I believe that the relocation of Ravensworth Homestead will make it a tourist destination, and that Glencore's industry leading rehabilitation practices will restore the mine site when coal extraction is complete. The pit location is isolated and has minimal impact on local residents.

I currently work at Glendell Open Cut and have so for the past 2 years. I have a young family and wish for them to be afforded the same opportunities I was afforded as a young person due the economic benefits to the community provided by coal mining operations such as Glendell. I was able to access public sporting venues, swimming pools and parks provided and maintained by the state government through, amongst other means, the royalties received from coal mining.
I was able to purchase and sell my first house due to the regions strong housing market. Mining provides high employment rates and is a significant contributor to our good economy.
My future and my families future are dependent on the approval of the Glendell Continued Operations project to afford me long term job security and the ability to continue to provide for my family. Please think of the thousands of families, like mine, that are directly affected by this decision.

I object to this project on the grounds that the continued extraction of coal out to 2044 presents a clear climate risk and impedes Australia’s ability to make meaningful carbon emissions reductions as well as any other countries that may take delivery of and burn this coal. Australia is on Fire more than ever thanks to the impacts of human induced climate change and this kind of project must be stopped in its tracks on grounds of local environmental degradation, the incredible amounts of potable water required when our nation is in drought and the global implications to climate change posed by its operation and the overall continued extraction of coal. As the world moves to renewable electricity, this mine will prove itself an economic white elephant and should not be permitted to move forward.

I support the project

I support this project, in what will create hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly. With the local business and schools all benefiting.

I am currently employed full time at Glendell Open Cut Mine.
I have worked hear for the last 9 years, during this time I had a period of 12mths off to have my son.
I am in favour of the Expansion to go ahead as this is my livelihood.
Being employed full time by Glendell gives myself and family a security to be able to provide and contribute to my family and also our local community.
Being employed locally means a lot , as I dont have to source work outside of the area in which we live.
We are also able to support our local Buisness Communities, Schools, Hospitals, Sporting facilities the list goes on.
During my time employed at Glendell I have learnt a lot about the Mining Industry and the impact it has to our Communities from a Buisness level, Environmental level and a Community level.
Glendell has been mindful of all thee areas while running the Mining Buisness. The approach is very professional and safe considering all areas.
Seeing how the Mine has operated first hand over the last 9 years, I can see them to continue to do this with the Expansion if it goes ahead.
This Expansion will have a big impact not only on myself and family but also the 300+ other employees from within the local Communities around the area.
I am in full support of Glendells Expansion to go ahead.

I am currently working at Glendell mine and have been there for 9 years. I have worked in a few other mines and Glendell is the best by far. They have very high standards towards protecting the environment and surrounding areas. They are also very generous with community funding. There has been countless numbers of school students visiting the mine to learn about the values of mining. I am nearly at the end of my working career but i work alongside many young men and women just starting their mining careers and providing a good solid incomes so they can support their families. we seem to get a lot of negative comments about mining and the majority of them come from people that live nowhere near the mine and have probably never taken the time to visit and have a look around to see all the good work that has been done here and in the surrounding community.

Nil Comments

DPIE - Crown lands have the following comments
1. Crown Land and Crown Roads subject to the Project Approval Area require any existing or proposed occupation to be authorized under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 or Roads Act 1993.
2. The exception to the above condition applies where the Crown Land and Crown Roads are located within a Mining Lease. All Crown Land and Crown Roads within a Mining Lease must be subject to a Compensation Agreement issued under Section 265 of the Mining Act 1992, to be agreed and executed prior to any mining activity taking place and within 12 months of Project/ Modification Approval. The Compensation Agreement may include conditions requiring the Mining Lease Holder to purchase Crown land impacted on by mining activity.

Glendell Continued Operations Project
Objections

1. There is no need for further coal mines or the expansion of existing leases as those already in operation have sufficient output to meet domestic and overseas demand. In the circumstances approval of the project would not promote the orderly and economic use and development of land.

2. Coal mining causes damage to the physical, and often fragile environment which after the cessation of mining activity is never, and can never, be rehabilitated back to the level of diversity that characterized the pre-coal mining environment. Despite any assurances that may be given from the industry wasteland is all that remains. In the circumstances approval of the project would not promote a better environment by the proper management, development, and conservation of the State's natural and other resources, and nor would it facilitate ecologically sustainable development.

3. Extracting further coal adds further carbon dioxide to the atmosphere thereby worsening the greenhouse effect and thus exacerbating climate change. We have seen the effects this long predicted phenomenon this summer. In the circumstances approval of the project would not protect the environment and, would instead contribute to the real possibility of the extinction of threatened and other species of native animals and plants, and lead to further damage to ecological communities and their habitats.

4. Expanding the industry by approving projects such as this will delay the expansion of renewable energy projects. New South Wales needs to think of the future and not lock itself into the past which leads to a dead end. In the circumstances approval of the project would not benefit the economic welfare of the community.

5. The mine will create further jobs in an industry the long-term future of which is increasingly becoming uncertain. As a long-term job security in the industry becomes more precarious, this will at some point cause significant financial detriment to those employed in the industry. In the circumstances rather than encouraging employment in the coal mining industry, the State should be encouraging employment towards those sectors that represent the future and not the past and which will provide workers with a sense of community pride rather than making them feel, through no fault of their own, like pariahs. In the circumstances approval of the project would not promote the social and economic welfare of the community.

6. Coal mining causes damage to the local environment in a number of ways. This damage when weighed up against alternative sources of energy is inexcusable and should be avoided at all costs.

7. Profits (for the very few) and the very modest number of jobs that will be created directly or indirectly by the project can no longer be justified given the effects which are now being experienced as a result of global warming. This is particularly so given that the negative effects of global warming are being borne by an overwhelming majority of those in the community that gain no direct financial or other benefit from coal mining. Those negative effects include:

i) Destruction to property and the interruption of business by extreme weather events coming at enormous cost (the financial cost of the recent bushfires still be determined) whilst the emotional costs and personal suffering will not even be considered. Firefighters have not only suffered financial loss, they all have risked and some have lost their lives.

ii) Consequential increases in insurance premiums which for many have either become, or are becoming unaffordable.

iii) General insecurity as to the future because of extreme climatic events with the consequence that many (including many aged and vulnerable persons) are considering uprooting and relocating to areas perceived to be safe havens which in turn will lead to increase in the cost of housing and cause strain on infrastructure.

iv) Adverse health effects particularly in relation to the respiratory system which are experienced on mass and cannot even with the best endeavours be avoided. The financial cost of which will also fall on the taxpayer the through the Medicare system.
v) Damage to the environment including the loss of flora and fauna numbered in the billions in the recent fires with many species including the koala and platypus now being on the brink of extinction.
vi) Food and water insecurity as a result of increased frequency, intensity and duration of droughts.

Submission with regard to
Glendell Continued Operations Project

The mine proposes to continue operation for another 20 years.

Current workforce 199 out of a local workforce of 11,525.
Maximum employment would be 600 and include workers from Mt. Owen and Ravensworth East mines when they close. This is not a significant number of workers over a 20 year period.

No mention is made of the growing mechanisation and advance in robotics over that period. On what basis can this estimate be credible over a 20 year extended lifetime with advances in technology. The industry focuses on potential technological advances when commenting on emissions connected to climate change but describes employment prospects with confidence.

Current conversations connected to climate and industries of the future are questioning the viability of the fossil fuel industry into the near future. 20 years is a lifetime given that many countries are already transitioning away from fossil fuels. Voices within the conversation who champion trending away from a reliance on the fossil fuel industry include economists, scientists, environmentalists, industry leaders, business people and the wider public.

The project is listed as "State Significant Development".
Given the importance of the decision to the State - constituents interested in our energy future, mining, alternative energies etc have been given no voice on your list of stakeholders, invited to be part of the process. The significance of the project would surely require broader stakeholder involvement and a more critical focus.

In essence , those invited are confined to those who are involved with the coal industry and community groups within the the Singleton LGA. Within those surveyed from the Singleton LGA, completed interviews comprise only 7.5 % of potential respondents. A small sample.

Despite the overload of tables and surveys and results the Report is significantly diminished in what should be it's scope.

Communities along the coal line are all affected by mining in the valley. The residents of large parts of Newcastle breathe in coal dust and live near the mountains of coal awaiting export. Novocastrians were not included as stakeholders in your process. A proposal for the extension of the operation of the mine for 20 years and it's expansion should be considered on a much wider community level.

The project - Appendix 11. 3.1 has implications broader than the local LGA on
Way of life
Health and Well being
Political and decision making system
Fears and aspirations

The stakeholders as described in Table 3.1 and 3.2 show how limited the contribution, from those affected in the greater region.

Approximately 35 mines operate in the valley and transported over 159 Mt of coal for export through the Newcastle port in 2017. These figures alone are cause for alarm. We are in a phase of development of energy and industry where development of smart solutions are priority rather than expanding coal mining, an industry of the past.

It should not be communities adapting to the expansion of mining, but mining adjusting to the realities of a changing climate, the opinion of business and industry leaders, emerging 21st century businesses and affected communities. Coal mining is dirty, it is a 19th century industry that has not changed and adapted sufficiently for our times. Water is precious and yet coal mining sucks large volumes to operate.

If the 29 billion dollar subsidies were not provided to this polluting industry, would it be viable at all?
Global fossil fuel subsidies reach $5.2 trillion, and $29 billion in Australia
Michael Mazengarb 13 May 2019
Working paper prepared by the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department 2017
"The IMF estimates that annual energy subsidies in Australia total $29 billion, representing 2.3 per cent of Australian GDP. On a per capita basis, Australian fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1,198 per person."
"The IMF found that the removal of fossil fuel subsidies would have significant economic benefits, including improved budget bottom-lines for governments. The net benefits of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies would amount to 1.7 per cent of global GDP."
"The under-pricing of fossil fuels, particularly coal, was found to be the largest source of effective subsidy. When the wider social and environmental costs of fossil fuels were taken into account, the IMF found that price paid for coal was typically less than half of its true cost."
NSW and the Nation have experienced changed realities with regard to the importance of wildlife and environment, the unpredictable ferocity of fire since this proposal was formulated. Are any mines under threat of ember attack? Does expanding mining pose a fire risk?

These considerations come under Appendix 11. 3.1.

Way of life, surroundings, political and decision making system and fears and aspirations.

Upper Hunter Valley coal mines comprise a massive area. I ask that consideration be given to the implications for the future given the ferociousness of the fires across the state that have been burning since September 2019. Ensuring that coal mines and stores do not ignite requires a significant water contribution and poses potential risk into the future.

I can't write more.

I have read some of the legal argument and decisions listed in an appendix. The coal industry is a very powerful lobby group and extremely effective at defending what it regards as it's rights.

It has a louder voice than mine. Many of the papers prepared for this proposal are garbage information that fills pages with tables and surveys, in essence padding.

Most of it is irrelevant to the current climate - excuse the pun.

Please add my voice to those that OPPOSE

SUBMISSION ON
GLENDELL CONTINUED OPERATIONS PROJECT SDD 9349
SINGLETON SHIRE - COAL MINING

I am an employee of the Glendell Mine and give my strong support to its Continued Operations Project which will ensure for the next 21 years employment for 690 people and an enormous net benefit to Singleton, the Hunter and the State over the life of the mine. On balance I believe that the $1.5billion in future State revenue outweighs the constraints to the extension, particularly that imposed by the Ravensworth Homestead.

The Glendale Extension will allow the mine to continue for another 21 years providing ongoing employment opportunities and economic benefits including royalty revenue to the NSW government of $296 million for the life the project. Added to this, consideration must be given to the significant contribution made in community grants, spending on goods and services in the local area and the wages of the workforce, 72% of which are local which is spent in the local area. To this we add thousands more who indirectly benefit from mining in the Hunter Valley. Up to this time more than $235 million has been spent in the region. If this were to cease now there would be a serious downturn with large economic and social impacts. Thousands of people will suffer; the employees and their families, local businesses and schools and community groups. This is avoidable with consent for the GCO Project.

Consent will make the removal of the Ravensworth Homestead complex inevitable. While removal should ideally be reserved for less significant and more deteriorated places, the removal of a place may be required to allow for a continuing use or for an economically significant development such as in this case.

Its historical importance, associative value and its rarity as a complex reflecting the development of the pastoral industry in NSW must be protected. It is the precise heritage value of the site that a makes it necessary to remove it in order to preserve it. There will inevitably be instances where a competing land-use requires the removal of a heritage place particularly one which lacks a function. Ravensworth homestead complex has no useful function in its present location. That is why an adaptive reuse should be employed to save it for future generations.

Because of the considerable local and state heritage values of the complex, enabling new uses and activities to be re-established is a positive step. It can reveal and reinforce a place’s heritage values. Sometimes adaptive reuse is the only way that the building’s fabric will be properly cared for, revealed or interpreted, while making better use of the building itself. Adaptive reuse will not necessarily impact on the significance of the place if it is done properly.

The total economic benefit to the town and State Government in money and job creation overwhelmingly outweighs the option of leaving the homestead buildings to fall into disrepair through lack of use. Therefore I support the relocation to Broke village where the community wants it and will look after it and where it will be accessible to the whole community, letting it come alive again rather than letting it decay. My own children and grandchildren will benefit from access to it at Broke. The Broke village will directly benefit. Reusing the existing building at Broke is much preferred to relocating outside the Shire or to a place where it will still be underutilised and fall into a worse state of disrepair.

When done well, adaptive reuse can restore and maintain the heritage significance of a building and help to ensure its survival. Rather than falling into disrepair through neglect or being rendered unrecognisable, heritage buildings that are sympathetically recycled can continue to be used and appreciated. Leaving Ravensworth Homestead in its remoter location does not ensure its continued survival. Its remoteness limits its ability to earn income and increases its vulnerability since further deterioration can go unnoticed. For the place to have a future it needs the public to know it and love it letting it come alive again rather than letting it decay. This can be facilitated by allowing access and giving it a new purpose or use such as is proposed by the Broke community. A coming alive again approach involves actions designed to enable a place to be used again, revealing the place’s significance, to a much larger number of people. Keeping and reusing historic buildings has long-term benefits for the communities that value them.

Recycling has become second nature to modern communities as we strive for environmental sustainability. In the pursuit of sustainable development, communities have much to gain from adaptively reusing historic buildings. Adaptive reuse has the environmental benefits of bypassing the wasteful process of demolition and reconstruction.

In conclusion I submit that the decision makers should consider, in weighing up the economic, social and environmental issues surrounding this DA, that by giving consent they are not affecting in an adverse way the local and state heritage value of the Ravensworth homestead complex; that its survival can be assured and that this important part of our heritage can be preserved for future generations while mining continues to support the local and regional economy in an enormous and positive way.

Sincerely,
Mark Russell

I PROTEST , I would l disapprove of any extension of both increase in production and extension to the licencing contract with Glendell mining located in my region of the Hunter

Extending the Glencore mine will ensure the security of the members of the Hunter Valley community who rely on the success of the mine. The countries who buy the clean Hunter Valley coal will burn more coal that is of a higher quality than available from other countries. The government will benefit from the tax gleaned from Glencore.

I support the continued development of the Hunter to provide jobs for our people, the cleanest, safest, best coal. Reducing Australian coal is increasing the output from other countries that will continue to develop their low energy, high emission coal - i.e. burn twice as much coal for the same energy with 4 x the emissions, how is that good for Australia or the rest of the world?

This project will benefit myself, the community and the State.
It will provide employment directly and indirectly to the community.

I suport this important project for the following reasons:

1. Mining is important to my family, my community and the State

2. This project will not require any new infrastructure and will occur on land owned by Glencore

3. The project will continue providing employment to 690 mining families in the Hunter

4. The local community needs the benefits this project will bring, with more than 70% of employees living nearby

5. Small businesses will benefit from spending

6. The $296.1m in royalties is needed to provide essential services and infrastructure like nurses, teachers, police and roads

7. Australia has the best coal in the world for power generation. Given the forecast world demand for coal, Australia is best placed to meet this demand with the least impact on the environment.

Mining is important to my family, my community and the State. I fully support the Glendell continued operations project and believe it needs approval ASAP so the workers and their families can avoid the stresses of not having their jobs and livelihood threatened.

• This project will not require any new infrastructure and will occur on land owned by Glencore
• The project will continue providing employment to 690 mining families in the Hunter
• The local community needs the benefits this project will bring, with more than 70% of employees living nearby
• Small businesses will benefit from spending
• The $296.1m in royalties is needed to provide essential services and infrastructure like nurses, teachers, police and roads