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

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 acumulative 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. The P

As an employee of the mine, the benefits from my employment to my family and broader community are significant. Not only would a loss of the underground mine(South Bates Underground Extension - Modification 17) upheave my life, it would flow through not only Singleton, but Newcastle as well.

My main concern is that outside of mining/resources fields, Newcastle and the Hunter doesn't have that many high paying jobs, this I personally believe would push me down into Sydney, creating more pressure on its public systems as we are killing off good high paying jobs in rural areas. I work at least 50-60hrs a week every week at the mine and love the work. I go home at night comfortable that I have made a positive difference not only to my life but to the lives of those around me. The workers I directly supervise rely on the mine, not just for employment, but for a relatively reliable and close location of steady work to the main towns such as Maitland, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock. These people who work for the mine are the salt of the earth, with young families, generally a trade qualification and good work ethic, who would have to move/work further away from home to maintain full employment, further damaging their family unit and ultimately the communities they are in.

I know Wambo has made a positive difference in my life and that of my community (Newcastle), I see it when I have trades work at my house and they tell me all the other miners jobs they have been working on in the local area, I see it in the flow on work like my mates at the coal loader, girlfriend and uncle at Orica(supplying blast explosives to mining). Newcastle and NSW benefit from Wambo coal.

I hope that South Bates Underground Extension (Modification 17) is approved and that can continue to enjoy its benefits, and that you can too.

I am currently employed at Wambo and if the extension is not approved it will have a detromental affect on myself and my young family, also beleive that if it is not approved it will a hugh finanacial affect on the local communities.

Dear Sir/Madame

I recommend that you see fit to allow the Wambo mine to continue to grow and expand. Without this application approval, it is expected that the future operation of the Wambo mine will be cut short.

One obvious reason for my recommendation is for the ongoing employment of Wambo's personnel, most of whom live locally. It is likely that many of them will have to leave the area if their jobs at Wambo were to be lost. This would have a significant impact on them and their families, and also to others in the area.

On a personal level, I presently work as a consulting engineer in a fledgling business that I started up less than three years ago. A substantial proportion of my work comes from the Wambo mine. Without that work, it is possible that my business may become unprofitable, and cease to operate. I have two dependent children that I support.

I also make fairly regular visits to the Wambo mine, flying from Melbourne to Newcastle, hiring a car, and staying at a motel in Singleton for the duration of my visit. I buy my meals in Singleton. There are numerous other people like me who also make regular trips to the Wambo mine. There are many other businesses, both local and national, that will suffer if people like us were to cease these visits.

Finally, I note that fact that most of Wambo's coal goes overseas as an export product. It is of a high quality, which will result in less atmospheric pollution upon combustion than a poorer quality coal. If this export were to cease, it is likely that the end users of the coal will source poorer quality coal instead, and contribute more to atmospheric pollution and global warming.

Please consider all of these factors when reviewing Wambo's application.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Tim Fitton.

Our company has a long and established history at Wambo. We support the South Bates Underground Extension due to the positive effect it has on creating opportunities for construction and other supporting industries/contractors in the region.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please accept this submission detailing my strong objection to the proposed project,
Wambo Extension 17 - South Bates Extension.

I am particularly concerned by the cumulative impacts on the environment of mining approvals granted part of the Hunter Valley and the failure of the NSW government to adequately address this. The far reaching and alarming environmental consequences of extensive underground mining in this area are ignored when individual projects are, as a rule, approved.

I object to this proposal on the following grounds:

1. That it requires a new lease, and should not be considered as an extension to the existing mine.

2. Approval has already been granted for the extensive South Wambo project, and a further extension of the mine when mining of South Wambo has not yet commenced is premature.

3. Considering the well documented effect of gas emissions from this type of mining, the additional granting of mining projects at present should be halted. The effects of climate change on our environment must be evaluated and considered with every such project, over and above economic considerations.

4. I have recently learned that one of the proponents, U.S. Based Peabody Energy, has recently reneged on their commitment to mine rehabilitation in the U.S. costing $2.7 dollars. This is a pressing topic as the failure of mining companies to adequately provide for mine rehabilitation has left taxpayers with an enormous projected future cost in mine rehabilitation. Peabody Energy can not be considered a trustworthy entity in our mining community and this project should be refused on these grounds alone.

5.The impacts of longwall mining in terms of subsidence and its effects on streams and waterways are well known. Peabody Energy has not fulfilled its current commitments to address subsidence along Wambo Creek. The cumulative effects of subsidence on aquifers and waterways in this area of the Hunter Valley must be addressed as part of any process for approving new mines or mining extensions in this area. Ponding, cracking and the loss of base flows along Wambo Creek are predictable risks if this project is approved. The Wambo Mine has already severely impacted water systems in the Wollombi Brook and the Hunter catchment.

6. The proximity of longwall mining to the Wollemi National Park is likely to cause rock falls and instability of steep slopes within this World Heritage listed park.

I urge you to reject this project until such time as the government can guarantee that environmental consequences of further underground mining in this area can be adequately mitigated through a full assessment of the cumulative effects generated by large scale mining activities in this region.

I object to the above proposal for the following reasons:
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.
The proposal to extend the mine life to produce 11.3 mtpa of coal for another 7 years until 2039 is a climate injustice.
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.

Wambo Coal is a fantastic organisation to both work for and have in my community.

Wambo supports the local community in numerous ways from employment of local Hunter people to providing financial support to community groups.

Approving the proposed modification would mean the security of over 500 employees plus hundreds of contractors who rely on the operation to maintain their livelihood.

This project is a positive step forward for the local and state economy and should be approved without hesitation.

I object to this extension by Wambo Coal.
This is the 17th modification since the approval in February 2004. That is over 13 years ago. Why can a mining enterprise be allowed to make these modifications year after year? It should be a new proposal.
This extension has the potential to damage the Wollomi National Park. I have witnessed rock falls in the National Park in the last few years and further damage is likely if this mining is allowed to continue.
The subsidence damage to the creeks in the area will continue. The damage from mining has seen creeks go from permanent to intermittent to ephemeral. Wambo Creek is still waiting for repairs to be made following mining impacts and a poor attempt to repair which caused even more damage.
Aquifers have been damaged. Our wells no longer function as they did. The water supplies have suffered enough damage. It is time to stop!
Complaints made about noise have been ignored. Neither Wambo Coal nor the EPA do anything about the excessive noise we have to put up with. Cumulative noise impacts of all the surrounding mines are not considered.
Wambo Coal does not comply with current consent conditions. Despite incorrect information being given to the PAC for Modification 12 last November, Singleton Council's approval 108/91 is current. Many of the conditions in this approval have been ignored.
* Wambo Creek has not been repaired.
* Compensatory water has not been given.
* Water monitoring has not been done and is not being done.
* Repairs to subsidence holes and cracks have not been completed.
It would be environmentally negligent for the Department of Planning to approve this extension. Climate change is here, it is time to develop alternative forms of energy.
The employment argument is questionable with the development of automated vehicles. We have seen in the past the company using the threat of job losses to gain approval for extensions, only to have them retrench workers within weeks of approvals being granted.
We were assured in 1991 that our property would be no worse after mining. This was a hollow promise. The property has subsidence holes all over it, and they continue to appear well over 20 years after mining. The property has lost its permanent water supply. How can this be approved when Wambo Coal has such a poor record? It defies belief that the previous PAC saw the evidence of this, yet still approved Modification 12. The least we were expecting was that Wambo Coal should be made fix the current mess they have made before being allowed to continue to do more damage to our countryside.
Please don't approve this next Modification.

I object to the application.

Submission to Wambo Modification 17 application.
I submit that there has already been such significant impact on the environment in the locality and watershed of this proposed modification that it would be impossible to approve it, if the playing field was level. Ironically, sadly and most poignantly, it is not, is it? There are ongoing subsidence issues. It is outrageous that the ethic of grasping greed to seek to get what it can while it can is still riding roughshod over community.
The recent article in the Newcastle Herald documenting the horror story of the Fenwicks dealing with subsidence from the activities of Wambo Mine since 1991 also evidences the impact on South Wambo Creek. It would be far too great a cumulative impact if there was to be further subsidence under North Wambo Creek, creek diversion and gross disturbance of the alluvial aquifers. The recently approved Wambo Open Cut Mine already predicts a two metre drawdown effect on the groundwater. There is acknowledged loss of base flows. The impact of this proposed modification would extend the time of impacts from Wambo Mine for a further 7 years. It is crazy. We know we have to transition to a zero carbon economy as soon as humanly possible for greater chances of a safe climate for our children. Please do not approve this extension. There are many grounds for refusing the proposal that would survive legal challenge.
The approval for expansion of the underground mining that was given last December is more than enough. Peabody Energy is a moribund company that is going down screaming. This current expansion proposal requires a new Mining Lease, how does this accord with a 75W modification? It should be considered a new proposal.
The Environmental Review acknowledges the potential impact of subsidence from the Modification longwalls. You can not mitigate subsidence impact in Wollemi National Park. The longwall extensions go to within 120 metres of it. The dramatic cliff faces of this World Heritage listed country already bear witness to the ecosystem destruction wreaked by the coal industry in the Hunter Valley. It would be the poetic finale for the industry for instability from this proposed extension to mark its passing by causing rockfalls and collapse of the cliff lines that would stand testament to the environmental impact of shortsighted greed.
The end of the coal industry is nigh. This unseemly rush to get in and get out reflects this. Peabody Energy is not a good corporate citizen. In the US they recently avoided rehabilitation requirements amounting to more than $2.5 billion by creative accounting and fancy legal footwork.. They do not take responsibility for the impact on the environment from their activities. This proposal should not be approved.
The impact from Wambo Mine on the water resources of the Wambo Creek system, the Wollombi Brook and the Hunter River catchment are already evident. There is no valid argument presented for the extension of the time of this impact to 2039. Why on earth should this be the case? It cannot be mitigated.
The modification proposal has not provided assessment of the cumulative impact of this underground extension in the context of the surrounding large mines,Hunter Valley Complex, Warkworth, Mt Thorley, Bulga. There is always a straw that breaks the donkey's back.
I object to this proposed extension. It should be rejected as the long term costs are too great.

I strongly object to the application on a number of grounds.
1.Its impacts environmentally and to residents and Aboriginal cultural heritage will be large and far reaching. Gas and gas releases from the mine will contribute to greenhouse emissions as will the coal that would be extracted, well into the future. It is urgent that these kinds of practices be curtailed immediately to avert further disastrous climate change.
Its proximity to the World Heritage Area of Wollemi National park and the geologically destabilising effects it will have are unacceptable.
2. North Wambo Creek, including its acquirers will be seriously impacted by subsidence. Water quality and supply should be protected at all cost. It is our most precious resource.
3. This company has a poor track record in relation to fulfilling its commitments to rehabilitation and has been described as showing disregard for those impacted by its activities and to whom they have had a serious responsibility.

This Wambo modification should be addressed as a new application as a new mining lease is required.
A cumulative impact on alluvial aquifers is likely
and this alone should prevent further mining.
The nine longwall panels come too close to the Wollemi National park which will cause terminal damage to areas nearby.
Peabody Energy has not fulfilled current commitments to address subsidence impacts on Wambo Creek.
Generally the broad cumulative impacts to the local area have not been assessed which will result in general and permanent degradation of the living environment.
I ask that this Wambo Mod 17 south Bates Extension not be approved at this juncture until further assessments are implemented.

I object to this modification on these grounds:

I feel that it should be submitted as a new proposal, not a modification.

Existing subsidence issues have not been addressed and these will be exaggerated with the new proposal

the impacts on the wollemi national park will be too damaging. causing rock falls and other disturbances

We should not be approving new coal mines if we are to reach our commitments to the COP21 agreements.

Wambo South already has an approved extension that has not yet been developed.

I object to Wambo Modification 17 because of the cumulative damage this mine has caused to the Wambo Creek system including permanent damage to alluvial aquifers.

Peabody Energy is not a responsible corporation becuase they have not yet met commitments to remediate prior damage to Wambo Creek. The subsidence damage left unmitigated on the Fenwick's property is a disgrace.

Wambo Mine should not expand into any new country until all existing damage has been remediated.

An expansion of a new underground mining area consisting of 9 longwalls should be considered a new project. The proposal extends outside the area of current development consent and outside the current mining lease.

It is too close to the Wollemi National Park World Heritage Area and should not be approved.

I object to the application.

Submission to Wambo Modification 17 application.
I submit that there has already been such significant impact on the environment in the locality and watershed of this proposed modification that it would be impossible to approve it, if the playing field was level. Ironically, sadly and most poignantly, it is not, is it? There are ongoing subsidence issues. It is outrageous that the ethic of grasping greed to seek to get what it can while it can is still riding roughshod over community.
The recent article in the Newcastle Herald documenting the horror story of the Fenwicks dealing with subsidence from the activities of Wambo Mine since 1991 also evidences the impact on South Wambo Creek. It would be far too great a cumulative impact if there was to be further subsidence under North Wambo Creek, creek diversion and gross disturbance of the alluvial aquifers. The recently approved Wambo Open Cut Mine already predicts a two metre drawdown effect on the groundwater. There is acknowledged loss of base flows. The impact of this proposed modification would extend the time of impacts from Wambo Mine for a further 7 years. It is crazy. We know we have to transition to a zero carbon economy as soon as humanly possible for greater chances of a safe climate for our children. Please do not approve this extension. There are many grounds for refusing the proposal that would survive legal challenge.
The approval for expansion of the underground mining that was given last December is more than enough. Peabody Energy is a moribund company that is going down screaming. This current expansion proposal requires a new Mining Lease, how does this accord with a 75W modification? It should be considered a new proposal.
The Environmental Review acknowledges the potential impact of subsidence from the Modification longwalls. You can not mitigate subsidence impact in Wollemi National Park. The longwall extensions go to within 120 metres of it. The dramatic cliff faces of this World Heritage listed country already bear witness to the ecosystem destruction wreaked by the coal industry in the Hunter Valley. It would be the poetic finale for the industry for instability from this proposed extension to mark its passing by causing rockfalls and collapse of the cliff lines that would stand testament to the environmental impact of shortsighted greed.
The end of the coal industry is nigh. This unseemly rush to get in and get out reflects this. Peabody Energy is not a good corporate citizen. In the US they recently avoided rehabilitation requirements amounting to more than $2.5 billion by creative accounting and fancy legal footwork.. They do not take responsibility for the impact on the environment from their activities. This proposal should not be approved.
The impact from Wambo Mine on the water resources of the Wambo Creek system, the Wollombi Brook and the Hunter River catchment are already evident. There is no valid argument presented for the extension of the time of this impact to 2039. Why on earth should this be the case? It cannot be mitigated.
The modification proposal has not provided assessment of the cumulative impact of this underground extension in the context of the surrounding large mines,Hunter Valley Complex, Warkworth, Mt Thorley, Bulga. There is always a straw that breaks the donkey's back.
I object to this proposed extension. It should be rejected as the long term costs are too great.

As I have written to you before about this Modification, I would like to elaborate about the large Wambo coal mine near Jerrys Plains in the mid Hunter coalfields whuch has had open cut and underground mining operations since 1969.

As you are aware, it is owned by Peabody Energy. The mine is very close to the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park and has severely impacted on the Wambo Creek systems, Wollombi Brook and Hunter catchment, surrounding farm land and neighbouring communities, Aboriginal cultural heritage and biodiversity.

I believe that an expansion of underground operations has only just been approved in December 2016. Now there is a proposal for more expansion of underground mining.

A large joint venture project, United-Wambo open cut mine (with neighbouring miner Glencore) is currently before the Department of Planning. These ongoing extensions and large super pit proposals are not sustainable developments. The cumulative impact of mining in this area of the Hunter is vast and the NSW Govt is refusing to adequately assess the long-term costs.
Points for objection.

I believe that 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.

My objection to this proposal is attached.

Attached

The Rivers SOS committee has visited Ron and Janet Fenwick twice: in 2005 to include in our documentary film "Rivers of Shame" the dried-up South Wambo Creek, with the ludicrous "remediation" efforts, and then in 2010 our members were invited to look again at the creek and the subsidence cracking all over their property. (see attached one of many photos of the creek's condition taken then).And still in 2017 they have not received justice, but are out of pocket. We are in touch with the Fenwicks and making sure that our networks stay informed of the shocking treatment they have endured for years and the failure of the Planning Department to enforce regulations. Another mining scandal which our governments and bureaucrats are unwilling to address. Shame ! this will not be forgotten. We became aware of corruption within the Planning Department when a "water expert" working at the time for Peabody's Wambo Mine was appointed to a PAC Panel which then (of course !) approved the expansion of Peabody's Metropolitan Mine, an operation which had already cracked and drained Waratah Rivulet, supposedly supplying the Woronora Dam with drinking water for Sutherland Shire. What more could these foreign owned mining companies want ? and now they're back for more of the same with the same corrupt people involved.

Please see attached submission.