Mod 3 - Bulga Optimisation Project

This Nation must first thank the mining industry and all of its workers for the incredible things they have allowed this country and this planet to achieve. Without the stuff they dig out of the ground we would not enjoy the society we have today.

We must also do more than just thanking the workers in the mining industry, we must also develop just transition plans for all workers in the mining industry to be given training in the sustainable energy sector and other industries. We must also provide suitable pensions to allow them to continue to pay the bills and support their families long after coal mining ceases in this country.

That being said, we must rapidly transition away from coal mining on the whole, and certainly in the immediate term we must move away from open cut mining.
We are seeing frequent air quality alerts in areas with with open cut coal mines, including Bulga. As recently as yesterday (30th October) we saw 6 air quality alerts overnight all in the Singleton LGA for PM10 levels exceeding national standards at Bulga, Jerry Plains, Camberwell, Singleton, Mt Thorley & Singleton NW.
Without even considering what impact the burning of coal mined from Bulga and other mines in the area will have on the environment both here and abroad, we must also consider the localised air quality impact this mine is having on Bulga and the Singleton LGA.

From an air quality perspective alone, we should be scaling back on open cut mines, not expanding them. On this basis I object to this project, and any coal mining project in NSW.

Kind regards

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