Mod 17 - South Bates Extension (LWs 17-25)

please take into consideration of any extension of underground longwall operations, the effects these operations have had on sensitive areas around Lithgow, Appin, Wallsend and Sugarloaf areas. don't permit strata under watercourses to be cracked, collapsed or endangered. don't crack and weaken rock and cliff structures above or abutting work areas. protect natural groundwater flows so creek and watercourse levels don't disappear endangering flora, fauna and people that rely on that water. protect the sub level aquifers that nourish other areas or are in use directly by other existing users. these mines are like the fracking(cracking) of sub strata, in that there subsidence takes out ground structures already present and should only proceed if these are properly exposed, considered and accounted for in evaluating the merits of the project.

I am an employee of Peabody energy and this mod would allow myself and my family of 7 to stay in the area.

My Dad works for Peabody and without this mod approval we may have to leave the area which we have grown up in as Dad is a miner and options are limited for his skills sets

My Husband works for Peabody at Wambo. We have moved around following mine work for almost 20 years. My husband has been with Peabody now for almost three years full time and comes home saying how they are the best company he has ever worked for from how the plan their rehabilitation, manage and support their people and follow their mission and values by doing what they say they will. He was a contractor on/off since 2007 with Wambo and other Peabody sites across Australia prior to starting full time.

Another great underground mining project.

I have worked in this area in the past and seen the tremendous benefits that underground coal mining brings, with limited and minor surface impacts. This is not just about the immediate benefits in terms of jobs and income, but also about providing cost-effective, reliable energy to millions of people.

Coal fired electricity is clean, cheap and reliable:

We've seen that the so-called "renewable" energy fad is an expensive pipe-dream, which generates enormous environmental impacts and provides intermittent, third-world electricity (i.e. South Australia). Environmental impacts of so-called "renewables" vary from the environmental disaster that's resulted from processing rare earths for wind turbines, unethical labour used for solar cell manufacture, to the thousands of bird deaths from solar concentrating and wind turbines, and don't forget the LFN and strobe-lighting overshadow issues from wind turbines on nearby residents. It really is about time we began to support coal as an energy source again, which can generate power cheaply and cost effectively. In the NSW EPA's own study - the "Upper Hunter Particle Characterisation Study" they tried their hardest to find elevated PM2.5 levels caused by the two coal fired power stations in the Hunter Valley and could find zero evidence of elevated PM from these generators, even when the wind was blowing in a direct line from the generator to the instrument. They also found that there is little evidence to suggest that coal mines are the largest emitters of PM in the Upper Hunter, with the largest source in fact being household wood fires. In terms of overall PM contribution, coal was "possibly" 1% to 4% of total PM2.5 matter, although the study admitted it was likely that a good proportion of this PM might not be coal. Ultimately, coal fired electricity is cheap, clean and reliable, and forms the basis for our current standard of living in NSW.

NSW government guidelines on economic analysis of mining projects:

It is remiss of the NSW government to demand a 7% real discount rate when analysing the economic impacts of coal mining proposals when the "social discount rate" used for calculating the "social cost of carbon [dioxide]" is typically between 1% and 5%. This introduces a fundamental mismatch between the assessed costs and benefits, and means that the actual economic benefits, when using an appropriate and consistent discount rate (say 2.5%) would be much higher.

The Hunter Valley Coal Mining Critical Industry Cluster:

It is also highly questionable that the NSW government has introduced the concept of "critical industry clusters" into mining evaluations without considering coal mining itself as a "critical industry". It is. The Wambo mine therefore constitutes an important component of what I shall refer to as the "Hunter Valley Coal Mining Critical Industry Cluster", and will indirectly help to support thousands of downstream and upstream jobs in the logistics and supply chain for the mine.

I support this mine proposal.

This is yet another instance of the NSW government not assessing the cumulative and long term impacts and costs of a project. This part of the Hunter has been far too much damaged by coal mining already.
This has especially been the case with the Wambo Creek system, which Peabody has still not dealt with. This expansion will cause further subsidence under North Wambo Creek; this plus the creek diversion, including associated alluvial aquifers is far too great an impact to be considered, let alone approved. Increased ponding, cracking and loss of base flows is unacceptable.

The mine is already too close to the Wollemi National Park and extension of 9 longwall panels under this World heritage listed NP must not be allowed, given that we know it will cause rock falls and instability of cliff lines and steep slopes.

In any case, this proposal ought not to be treated as a modification but as a new proposal, since a new mining lease is required.
They already have approval for the Wambo South underground mine and have not begun that. Let them work that out first.

This local area has suffered greatly from the cumulative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, biodiversity, neighbours and Wollemi National Park and these impacts from all the surrounding mines are not being assessed. Yet this is the reality.

Peabody has shown that they cannot be trusted to honour their rehabilitation and mine closure commitments so should not be given permssion to cause more damage.

I am also extremely concerned at the climate impacts: to extend the life of the mine to produce another 11.3mtpa for another 7 years is unconscionable. Plus this mine emits too far much greenhouse gas. You must take this into account.

I am strongly against this prposal for the following reasons:-

1. The project should be a new proposal, not a 75W modification, because a new mining lease is required.
2. The extension of nine new longwall panels within 120m of the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park is unacceptable. This will cause rock falls and instability of cliff lines and steep slopes.
3. Further subsidence under North Wambo Creek and the creek diversion including the associated alluvial aquifers is too great a cumulative impact. Increased ponding, cracking and loss of base flows cannot be approved.
4. Peabody Energy has not fulfilled current commitments to address long term subsidence impacts on Wambo Creek.
5. Wambo Mine already has approval for the extensive Wambo South underground mine that has not yet commenced.
6. The proposal to extend the mine life to produce 11.3 mtpa of coal for another 7 years until 2039 is a climate injustice.
7. The Wambo mine produces large quantities of gas that is released into the atmosphere or flared. The greenhouse gas emissions from the operation are too high.
8. Cumulative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, biodiversity, neighbours and Wollemi National Park have not been assessed to include surrounding large mines at Hunter Valley Operations, Warkworth -Mt Thorley Complex, United and Bulga operations.
9. Peabody Energy cannot be trusted to meet mine closure and rehabilitation commitments. The recent recapitalisation under Chapter 11 in the US included reneging on $2.7b of rehabilitation liabilities

This project is required for the on going employment of the Wambo employees. Also the financial benefits for the local communities of Singleton and Muswellbrook due to ongoing money being spent in these communities by companies like Wambo

I support South Bates Extension. Wambo provides employment to over 500 employees without this extension the community will be impacted financially.

I believe that this extension should go ahead to keep jobs in the Singleton area and provide a future for the Hunter Valley.

I have lived in Singleton for nearly 40 years. Mining is the lifeblood of our town. The businesses and community rely heavily on mining for jobs and income. I fully support the South Bates Underground Extension (Modification 17) for the ongoing prosperity of the region. I personally know many individuals who will be adversely affected if this extension doesn't go ahead because the mine will close and they will lose their employment.

I have worked in the mining industry for over 12 years and nearly 9 of those have been with Wambo Coal. I have always been impressed with how concerned and responsible Wambo have been caring for the environment and the community.

My husband was made redundant with the mining downturn and was unable to gain employment outside of mining for nearly a year and even then at a significantly reduced income, so for my family my employment at Wambo has helped keep us from going under.

I also enjoy the fact that I can drive a car, watch TV, make phone calls, use the internet, have a hot shower, cook my dinner and the list goes on - which without mining I would not be able to enjoy such services.

Please recognise that mining is an essential part of the hunter valley community and its future and approve the application for Wambo. Thanks

I have been in the mining industry for well over twenty years. I have worked in iron ore, gold, base metals and coal. I have worked in Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, Cambodia, India and New Zealand. I have worked in just about every coal field in NSW and Queensland.

No where have I ever seen such a regulated and responsible industry as the Australian coal industry. We are global leaders in every aspect. We are regulated, monitored and controlled by a myriad of industry, government and community interest groups. We are ridiculed, reported and sledged by government and media groups. In essence we are controlled and monitored so fiercely, of which I have never witnessed in any mine overseas, that there is no chance of irresponsible mining.

Australia as an economy needs an income. We are interdependent and cannot rely on being a domestic service industry alone. We need an income to sustain our foreign debt, which is not achieved by the agricultural or manufacturing sector alone. We have to stop selling our assets, selling iron ore and importing cars.

In essence we need coal mining to keep everyone to the standard of living they currently have. Without coal mining we are limiting ourselves to a third world future. I have worked and lived in third world countries....they are beautiful and wondrous; but I can live without the dysentery and nose bleeds.

Lets develop smart technologies; lets develop smart export IP; lets drive innovation and technology. Let it be a goal. But in the interim the economy needs to be funded to achieve these goals. It will take twenty years of smart government to invoke the change we need and allowing the coal industry to continue for the next twenty years gives the economy that chance.

I would like to show my support for the application to extend the South Bates Underground.
The Wambo complex contributes hugely to the local communities, in regards to supporting local events, employment, and helping in sustaining local business so that they are able to keep afloat, enabling them to stay competitive with the larger city company's that tend to put lots of pressure on them in an attempt to have them shut down.

The project should be a new proposal, not a 75W modification because a new mining lease is required. The extension of nine new longwall panels within 120m of the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park is unacceptable. This will cause rock falls and instability of cliff lines and steep slopes.

Further subsidence under North Wambo Creek and the creek diversion including the associated alluvial aquifers is too great a cumulative impact. Increased ponding, cracking and loss of base flows cannot be approved. Peabody Energy has not fulfilled current commitments to address long-term subsidence impacts on Wambo Creek.

Wambo Mine already has approval for the extensive Wambo South underground mine that has not yet commenced.

The proposal to extend the mine life to produce 11.3 mtpa of coal for another 7 years until 2039 is a climate injustice.

The Wambo mine produces large quantities of gas that is released into the atmosphere or flared. The greenhouse gas emissions from the operation are too high.

Cumulative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, biodiversity, neighbours and Wollemi National Park have not been assessed to include surrounding large mines at Hunter Valley Operations, Warkworth -Mt Thorley Complex, United and Bulga operations.

Peabody Energy cannot be trusted to meet mine closure and rehabilitation commitments. The recent recapitalisation under Chapter 11 in the US included reneging on $2.7b of rehabilitation liabilities.

I support the extension to the South Bates Underground mine. This mine provides a high level of support for sporting communities that I am a part of as well as ongoing employment for its significant workforce.

Peabody Energy are not a 'fit and proper' proponent. Firstly in the local context they have failed to fulfill their commitments to address subsidence impacts on Wambo Creek,. Secondly they are a multi-national mining company that moves their assets and liabilities to ensure that taxpayers and the environment bear the brunt of their greedy, dirty practices.
The best example of this is in the US, where declaring part of their operation bankrupt, meant that they reneged on their rehabilitation liabilities. What a great system, where they can get out of having to try and repair some of the damage they have done by restructuring their business. Clearly they can't be trusted not to do exactly the same thing here in NSW.

This complete disregard for the environment means that the company cannot be trusted to undertake longwall mining so close -within 120 metres!!- of the Wollemi National Park which is World Heritage listed. You wouldn't want them coming that close to underneath your house, let alone an irreplaceable, globally recognised, natural treasure.

Peabody are just being greedy like usual. Trying to get approvals for mines well into the future and despite the fact they haven't even started the Wambo South mine.

This mine will contribute coal, which will be burnt and lead to increased greenhouse emissions which will kill the Great Barrier Reef and most other coral reefs around the world, and potentially lead to the demise of many species on our planet. it is irresponsible and the product of those who put profit first and people and the planet last.

Finally, this project is not a modification. It should be a new proposal and a new mining lease should be required.

This decision will positively impact so many of my friends and family all around the valley who like myself rely on mining to survive. I fully support this venture.

The project should be a new proposal, not a 75W modification, because a new mining lease is required.
The extension of nine new longwall panels within 120m of the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park is unacceptable. This will cause rock falls and instability of cliff lines and steep slopes.
Further subsidence under North Wambo Creek and the creek diversion including the associated alluvial aquifers is too great a cumulative impact. Increased ponding, cracking and loss of base flows cannot be approved.
Peabody Energy has not fulfilled current commitments to address long term subsidence impacts on Wambo Creek.
Wambo Mine already has approval for the extensive Wambo South underground mine that has not yet commenced.
The proposal to extend the mine life to produce 11.3 mtpa of coal for another 7 years until 2039 is a climate injustice.
The Wambo mine produces large quantities of gas that is released into the atmosphere or flared. The greenhouse gas emissions from the operation are too high.
Cumulative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, biodiversity, neighbours and Wollemi National Park have not been assessed to include surrounding large mines at Hunter Valley Operations, Warkworth -Mt Thorley Complex, United and Bulga operations.
Peabody Energy cannot be trusted to meet mine closure and rehabilitation commitments. The recent recapitalisation under Chapter 11 in the US included reneging on $2.7b of rehabilitation liabilities.

I support the extention of the South Bates project. The jobs and different componies that are directly affected by Wambo create growth and finanical stabilties to the towns in the area. It brings new people to the arrea which enhances schools and sports in surrounding areas.