Mangoola Coal Continued Operations Project

This project will bring employment to the local area, not only for the nine, but the suppliers, local businesses, schools and sporting teams.

Mangoola plays a big part in the local community with both employing local people and contributing to various community projects.
This extension will enable future employment of more than 250 people and continue to fund community projects.
Mangoola is a world leading mine with up to date rehabilitation of the mined areas and when the mine has been completed the mining lease area will restored to original or better condition.

The coal mining industry receives so much negative publicity through those who have limited understanding into what goes into these operations. Not only does Glencore Mangoola Operations support Mangoolas workers, families and friends, Mangoola provides support to the local and broader community by providing jobs, services, research and support through the continuance of the operation of Mangoola Coal. Even if gained this continuance, I know Mangoola Operation Glencore will leave the land and area in a pristine and productive environment as when it was first developed.
As someone who works at Mangoola coal, I am proud to say and believe that I know as much if not more focus is put into health, safety and environment than actually removing the material from ground to sale. The Upper Hunter community is beginning to starve of jobs, employment and opportunity, Mangoola is a benchmark for rehabilitation, continuous research and unquestionable dedication to the community and environment which makes our operation a perfect partner for the local community. Whilst Glencore Mangoola Operations footprint is tiny, the benefits that the Mangoola Operation provide are profound. As a father of three who relies on this operation, I am proud to say that I work for Mangoola Operations as I understand the value that Mangoola Operations place on environment, community and family and that Mangoola Operations values are the same as the broader community and I request that this operation be allowed to continue and the extension requested to be approved.

The continuance of the Mangoola Operations will allow for a future of stability for my family and friends as it provides valuable employment for people within the local and broader community. The resources and services provided by Mangoola benefit the overall community, and is not only exclusive to the workers of the mine. By sponsoring community events and providing scholarships for local schools within the surrounding areas, the continuance of Mangoola Operations will continue to benefit all sectors of the community, and enable employment for young people and overall economic benefits for the community and Hunter Valley.

The value of property has already dropped and will drop further if this goes ahead it will be nearly impossible to sell, I have even been asked by an employee of Mangoola that was looking at a property for sale in this area if it may have been in the buffer zone (even though there is no buffer zone and has been changed it was something I got asked) the answer was yes and they refused to look at it again, if an employee of Mangoola won't live or buy out here how do you expect the rest of us to do so or be able to sell our property when we need to. The noise can already be heard on some nights and will only get worse, the coal dust( yes its black not brown ) is already coming in my windows and will be so much worse as.

Family and community rely on this project to go ahead

Objection to the “MANGOOLA COAL CONTINUED OPERATIONS PROJECT”
Application No SSD-8642

Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to lodge a formal objection to the Mangoola Continued Coal Operations (MCCO) Project for the reasons as stated below.

I chose to live in Wybong due to the area’s mix of farmland, bushland and its spectacular natural sandstone escarpments and views. The Wybong valley contains fertile river flats with rich alluvial soils allowing suiting a variety of agri business’. We have children who were raised in Wybong and call this home. We had enjoyed a strong community within the Wybong district for many years although I have considerable concern for remaining community members as a result of the MCCO Project.

Firstly, I object to the project’s approval based on its impact on local landholders and their inability to sell their affected properties at a pre-mining value. This is due to what was a small rural farming community now being valued by the market as an expanding area of mining with some remaining small and medium farms. The farmland is deemed “sterilised” by the market due to the mine’s proximity. This effect devalues the land to a point where it can no longer achieve its pre-mining potential market value. While the EIS has referred to this as a “Perceived Risk” it has been demonstrated to be real with buyers walking away once they are aware of the MCCO project and its proximity. This makes the concern very real for landowners and not “Perceived”. The real unknown is how much discount to a pre-mining market value is required to achieve a property sale. This concern has not been effectively addressed within the EIS. This outcome is entirely unreasonable given the landholders’ equity at risk when compared with the potential value the project will generate for the mining company.

A further objection is in relation to the impact on community and concerns relating to mental health in the area. While the community currently struggles with overly dry conditions and the need to continue to find feed and water for stock, the MCCO project creates further concern as stated in the stakeholder engagement interviews. I believe a strong community continues to be one of the most effective controls for Mental Health issues in rural and remote areas. This project currently presents as a double edged sword, residents fear having to realise a loss on the value of their property whilst their support network, neighbours and broader community members, are dwindling in numbers due to the increase in mining in the area. This project and approval process places unreasonable mental stress on residents due to the EIS not adequately addressing the concerns raised during the stakeholder interviews.

While the project proposes a number of remedies in relation to land value, there is no corrective measure proposed. The risk to property value became real for landholders when the project became public. The Community Enhancement Program does not seek to mitigate this exposure now if a resident has to sell today. If a resident has to sell even in the near term, the four phase program as stated is unlikely to even have secured funding for projects let alone realised any benefit. The funding itself is at risk as it relies on a redistribution of MSC VPA as proposed with no specific commitments. Even a most optimistic view of the Community Enhancement Program’s success does not deliver an effective control against property value impacts. This risk is clearly not being effectively controlled by the Community Enhancement Program.

While I believe mining can play an integral part within communities, mining companies must be held to account by government for their impacts. Unfortunately responsible corporate citizenship generally requires a strong legislative framework in a free market. This project EIS should have included the mitigation cost for landholders in its Cost Benefit Analysis as requested by stakeholders. A number of methodologies have been discussed with the project team through the stakeholder engagement interviews and Community Information Sessions which could have resolved this issue. I expect a legislative response is now required.

Based on the EIS as provided I object to this project as proposed.

I wish to state my objection to the proposed Mangoola Coal Continued Operations Project.

Landowner concerns regarding the effect of the proposed development on local properties, particularly property values, was identified as the issue of highest concern by the Social Impact assessment undertaken by Mangoola coal as part of the approval process.

Mangoola Coal proposes to address these concerns by undertaking a “community enhancement program”. Whilst this would provide benefits for our local community, this measure, in no way, addresses the financial concerns I have, as a land owner, regarding the value and saleability of my property. I believe that no amount of “ community enhancement” will entice prospective buyers to purchase a small farm lifestyle property which is 4km from a proposed working coal mine.

I wish to state that I am not opposed to coal mining. I fully understand the importance of the industry and the economic benefits it brings to our region, the vital commodity it produces and the valuable employment opportunities it provides. I do, however, believe that legislation around the approvals process does not go far enough to protect the interests of land owners affected by mining activities. Mining companies will always do what they are required to do by law in order to gain approval for projects. As land owners, we need a system which provides financial security, a guarantee that we will be compensated fairly for the very real decline in our property values. I do not seek an exorbitant sum of money as compensation, just a guarantee that when I sell my property I can expect to receive a fair market value which is not based on its proximity to a coal mine that did not exist when I purchased it. The importance of this issue can not be understated. I have witnessed friends and neighbours develop mental health problems bought on by the stress of knowing that their homes are virtually unsaleable.

I, like all of my neighbours, have invested a great deal of money, time and emotion in creating a home. It has been a place of peace , happiness and love. A place in which we have raised our family and built relationships with neighbours, creating a caring inclusive community.

My future financial wellbeing depends on me being able to sell my home at a fair market price. A price that is not impacted by its proximity to the mine. It is an opportunity most people have. I deserve the same opportunity, but if this project is approved I feel it will be be taken from me.

I object to this project on the following grounds:

1. Loss of property value: My family live in close proximity to the current mine and proposed expansion. Our property was listed for sale and not one offer for purchase was received. The expansion of the mine effectively has destroyed the value of property in this area. Residents are unable to sell their properties at an un-impacted price and many young families/ageing families are suffering extreme financial distress as a result of this. My parents have suffered an enormous amount of stress due to being unable to sell their property due to the mine in its current capacity - an expansion of the project closer to their property (the property will now border Mangoola owned land) will exacerbate this stress to an unacceptable level. It is unjust to impact peoples lives, financial stability and emotional well-being in this way for the sake of corporate profit.

2. Destruction of local community: The expansion of this project will result in the further destruction of local community, resulting in a lack of diversified economic base in the LGA. Local families are leaving the area because of the already omnipresent impact of mining in the upper hunter, at a great loss to the culture of the region.

3. Environmental concerns: I regularly visit this region and am already concerned about the environment in this area, an expansion of this mine will only increase the destruction of the environment in the Wybong region specifically, and the Upper Hunter generally. An example of this concern is that after bathing my young children at our property in Wybong there is a black film in the bath tub that has only appeared in recent years from the coal dust collected on the roofs of the house (this also goes into the drinking water to the property). The level of dust and noise is unacceptable with the kind of rural amenity that people choose to live in this area for. I personally notice black dust on every exposed surface on the property at Wybong we visit and am concerned about my young children being exposed to coal dust in this volume. The noise of the current operation is at an extent which it impacts upon the quiet enjoyment of being on the property (the mine is audible from the property 24/7). Further expansion will make this unbearable. The air quality in the Hunter is already in a terrible condition with instances of asthma etc. at record levels. On a global level the carbon effect on climate change from mining and burning coal is doing irreversible damage to this planet and cannot be sustained.

For the sake of the environment, the local community, residents of Wybong, and the well-being of my own family in particular I strongly oppose this project.

MMS Engineering is privately owned Mining maintenance company which employ around 130 local people. We heavily rely on the open cut mining industry. Mangoola Mine is one MMS Engineering's biggest clients. Mangoola's continued operations is detrimental to our companies survival.

Good asset to the community

I believe that the Project should be approved, based on continued employment opportunities for people within the region, along with increased royalties to be paid to the NSW Government. This increase in work, will also see an increase to the cash flow stream in the Hunter Valley with employment up, people will be comfortable spending money

Mangoola coal makes many contributions to the local areas
It would be good to see Mangoola coal continue for many years to continue there donations to many of the local clubs and events that are held in the are many of which my children attend
Mangoola employs many of the local people it extension will keep many of the families in the area and give them some job security

I have been working at Mangoola Coal for over 11 years now. I am a local born and bred community member and believe Mangoola has provided so much opportunity to me and my family who also live in the area. Not only has it provided long term employment for my father and I, it has also provided affordable housing for both my brother and my parents in the Mangoola housing that is leased back out to the public.

Mangoola genuinely cares about the community and has always tried to do things a little different than the other mine sites within the Valley.

I work in the Hunter Valley mining industry as a contractor to Mangoola. I support the project application in order to keep myself employed and support my family. Without the continued operation of the Mangoola Project we'd be looking at FIFO, this would put significant stress on my family.

I support this project. Mangoola Coal provides employment and support for a large number of employees. Without this approval there will be significant financial and emotional distress for employees and their families who rely on the mine for their livelihoods - including our family. Mangoola Coal also has one of the best rehabilitation programs in place and make their best effort to limit the environmental impacts of their business.

provides my family members and myself with employment

We support the project for the extension of Mangoola Coal as we believe it supports the community by ways of employment opportunities and giving back to the local towns with donations, sponsorship and spending money locally.

This and similar projects are vital to my industry.

I support project for the financial benefit of local community