Mod 3 - Extension

I have worked in mining in the Upper Hunter for ......... during which I have resided in Muswellbrook. For ..... out of the .......s I have worked at the Bengalla Mine as a staff member. My partner and many of our friends are also employed at Bengalla. Approval of the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification 3 as it currently exists reduces the life of mine for Bengalla. This threatens the long term job security of several hundred employees and around the same number of contractors currently working at Bengalla. If Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification 3 is approved myself and my partner and possibly many other personnel and contractors working at Bengalla may be required to leave the Hunter to find long term employment opportunities. This will have personal impacts as well as economic and social impacts on the Muswellbrook community and wider Upper Hunter. As such I object to the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification 3 application.

I have been working at Bengalla coal mine for a total of ........ in mining area.
Bengalla has provided me with very stable employment and income which has allowed me to support myself and my family, with the future looking bright if the Mod 3 for Mt pleasant does not go ahead.
I do not support the Mt pleasant mod 3 and I am hoping for an amendment that allows both companies to work side by side uninterrupted which will be the best overall result for not just myself, but for the better part of the upper hunter who will secure extra work and income from both operations.

Having worked at Bengalla for the past ......., I find this modification application concerning to the ongoing viability of Bengalla and most importantly my employment. The current approved Mt Pleasant rail loop that is directly in the path of Bengalla advancing pit will not only affect NSW royalities and Bengalla progression in the near future but also my livelihood and young family. This application does not address the issue of the rail loop and in fact is a step backwards for the security of the Bengalla employees who will be without a job by mid 2020 if it is approved. Surely there is a option for both operations to proceed unaffected, ultimately the best outcome for all involved.

Open your eyes up and use some common sense, anything that is passed that will impact on a business that is already established is ridiculous. This town needs both Mines and the jobs.

I am very concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification if approved will allow the railway line for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself and 600 Bengalla employees to lose their jobs.

I have worked at Bengalla for 3 years as a contractor though given the opportunity in the last 2 months as a full time employee my role is Dragline Equipment inspector maintenances technician. my connection to mining in Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter mine is the long term positive outlook. During my time I have learned that Bengalla is integral to the success of the local community. This is one of the reasons I support mining at Bengalla another reason is that Bengalla is a stable place of employment for me which enables me to support my family and to insure my daily life remains comfortable. Bengalla is a very well regarded member of the Muswellbrook community as Bengalla supports a diverse range community organisations and events including the Bengalla open day where all members of the community are welcome to visit the Bengalla Mine. I am very concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification if approved will allow the rail line for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself and 600 Bengalla employees to lose their jobs. also concerned about the large number of local businesses that will be affected by Bengalla curtailing its operation which will have a detrimental impact on local community.
The best outcome for Bengalla , Mt Pleasant, Muswellbrook NSW and Australia that both mines continue for their full life.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 Proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.

We operate a family cattle grazing business on the Hunter River tributary at Scone - which has existed on this property for 150 years. Our business depends on the availability of clean air and dependable alluvial aquifers - to maintain healthy stock and produce nutritional fodder.
The Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal jeopardises the future of our sustainable agricultural business via threat to both air quality and essential water resources.
We object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.
Mining is in decline. We need to look to the future and support our sustainable agriculture industries. Agriculture is here for the long term and provides sustainable jobs and a strong diverse regional economy and should be protected. Mining companies will come and go but agriculture is here forever. Agricultural industries and jobs need protection.
Governments should end the land use conflict in the Hunter by protecting our lands, water and agricultural industries.
Furthermore, given the Mount Pleasant DA was granted in 1999 and no mining has taken place on that site in the intervening period, this Modification should either be refused or the NSW Government should require MACH Energy to undertake a new environmental impact statement fully assessing the project, its cumulative impacts and the socioeconomic consequences - including the unresolved land use conflicts in the region.

Bengalla mine is a required employer in the Muswellbrook Area, the mining industry supports thye local community and is an employer of many local people.I am very concerned that the Mount Pleasant modification if approved will allow the railway line for Mount Pleasant to remain in place and cause Bengalla to curtail its operation causing myself and 600 Bengalla employees to lose their jobs.I am very concerned about the large number of local businesses that will be affected by Bengalla curtailing its operation which will have a detrimental impact on the local community.
The best outcome for Bengalla, Mt Pleasant, Muswellbrook, NSW and Australia is that both mines continue for their full life.

I have worked at Bengalla for ......... and during this time Bengalla has supported the community through many ways .For this to continue Bengalla needs to continue to operate as it has done for many years. I am concerned that if Mt Pleasant was to get an extension before finalisation of the exact date for removal of the Mt Pleasant rail line which runs through the Bengalla mining lease it will hamper the advancement of Bengalla mining plan which could impact the life of Bengalla mine. This in turn will effect the whole community including the 600 employees currently at Bengalla.
The best outcome would be to have any proceedings related Mt Pleasant rail line on Bengalla property completed prior to approving Mt Pleasant extension.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment either reject this proposal or require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.

It is clear that the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken in the late 1990's is no longer relevant to, or reflects the cumulative impacts associated with, the
Modification sought in 2017. Since the Mt Pleasant DA was granted in 1999, mines have opened and expanded in
the area - including the Mangoola mine, expansion of the Bengalla mine and the extensions to the Mt Arthur mine.

The impact of mining on communities in and around Muswellbrook has grown much worse. The air quality in the local area has deteriorated and the noise from mining
operations in the vicinity has worsened. The mining operations proposed by this Modification would result in both noise and air quality exceedences. The Proponent admits that air quality and noise exceedences already occur due to
the cumulative impacts of both Mt Arthur and Bengalla mines. This is an indisputable reason why this mine should not proceed at all.

Land use conflicts have also heightened - especially between local agricultural land holders and mining companies. Over the past 20 year period mines have encroached upon residents and landholders and imposed unacceptable risks to our livelihoods, our environment, our health, our future and the economic diversity and prosperity of our region.

It is not acceptable that a mine that was granted a DA nearly 20 years ago should be allowed to proceed without rigorous and contemporary environmental and socioeconomic
assessments. It is not acceptable that the NSW Government should disregard its policies, environmental obligations and duty of care to the local community by allowing an open cut coal mine to proceed on this site without appropriate reassessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts this mine would have today.

Given the Mount Pleasant DA was granted in 1999 and no mining has taken place on that site in the intervening period, this Modification should either be refused or the NSW Government should require MACH Energy to undertake a new environmental impact statement fully assessing the project, its cumulative impacts and the socioeconomic
consequences - including the unresolved land use conflicts in the region.

An excellent project providing ongoing and substantial employment opportunities with flow on benefits to local businesses. Mt Pleasant also has one of the most innovative final landform designs that I've seen.

I object to the Mt Pleasant Modification 3 because the cumulative environmental, social and economic impacts have not been adequately assessed.

This mining project was approved in 1999 and has not been developed over that period of time because the mine is an unviable proposition that is too close to the Muswellbrook township.

The poor air quality already experienced in the Muswellbrook region is the cause of major health impacts that have not been recognised by the NSW Government.

This coal mine should not go ahead. The proposal to increase the area of overburden directly opposite the town by 67 ha should not be considered, let alone approved.

The extension of time to 2026 does not make any planning sense and has not been adequately justified.

The land use conflict with Bengalla Mine is a critical issue that must be resolved prior to any consideration of this proposal. Also there is currently no alternative coal transport infrastructure available for this project.

There is a significant level of uncertainty around the development of the Mt Pleasant project over the past 18 years.

This proposal has increased that level of uncertainty, particularly in regard to cumulative environmental and social impact and should not be approved

I have worked at Bengalla Mine for the past 12 years, in a number of rolles over that time. I am currently employed as a Mobile Maintenance Planner. My family moved back to the area to take up this roll, we support local busniess where ever posible as does the Company "Bengalla" I work for.
My emploment at Bengalla has enable me to support my family and live loacally in the area.
I'm worries with all that is going on currently there may be a threat to Bengalla Mines continuation to the date that we currenlty have approval to mine until.
Therfore putting under threat my Employment and over 600 job at Bengalla and many more in the comunitity that supports the mine.
I would like to think that moving forward there is certanty that both Mines "Bengalla & Mt Pleasent" can work with the required deptments for a good outcome so both mines can continue to the full life.
Ensureing that the Muswellbrook,The Upper Hunter, and NSW can all moving forward in the right direction.

I support the continued local employment in Muswellbrook with the extension of the MtPleasant project for another 6 years.

I object to the proposed Modification for the following reasons:
-The proposed extension is not just a modification as the original approval was in 1999 and the surrounding area has changed significantly in that period of time,
-The impact of the mine on the people of Muswellbrook and surrounding areas is already an issue for the residents with poor air quality and increasing noise problems,
- An Environmental Impact Statement is necessary in this instance,
-The proponent of the mine is seeking approval without having resolved its conflict with the adjacent Bengalla mine.

Given the Mount Pleasant DA was granted in 1999 and no mining has taken place on that site in the intervening period, this Modification should either be refused or the NSW Government should require MACH Energy to undertake a new environmental
impact statement fully assessing the project, its cumulative impacts and the socioeconomic consequences - including the unresolved land use conflicts in the region.

I am an .......... at bengalla and have been employed there for ................ I wish to finish my working career at Bengalla in around ............ time. But i am concerned this won't be possible if Mount Pleasant approval goes ahead as it will severely impact the life of Bengalla mining operation by several years, which will have huge impact on the local community and my family. There could be a risk of 600 job losses and lots more future jos if this goes ahead. The best outcome for Bengalla,Mount Pleasant and the community is to have the railway line constructed in a suitable location which will allow both mines to operate to full potential.

As a long term resident of Muswellbrook I believe the mining industry is critical to the health of the local economy and, for this reason, I feel the longer that mining activity continues and employs locals people and supports local business's the better.

I have been involved both as a contractor and full time employee on the Bengalla Mining lease for some 19 years in this time I have seen many changes through the growth of the operation, the growth of the town of Muswellbrook, the involvement with the community in public relations, employment both direct and indirect. I wish to see the Bengalla Mine continue its operation without obstruction through to 2039 as planned, this is a certainty that is currently in place giving security to the town and its future generations. I am opposed to any amendment to the Mount Pleasant consent that will have the proposed railway line route stay in place impeding the Bengalla Mining operation in the near future.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 Proposal. It should be rejected initially on the basis that the EIA for the project is at least 18 years old. Much has changed since then in evironmental laws and government policy. Any application must be judged on what is expected in 2017, not in the late 1990s from an environmental perspective.

Since the 1990s approval, mining in that area has expanded dramatically. Adding Mount Pleasant to an environment that has in it Mt Arthur and Bengalla will push both noise and air quality concerns, completely off the chart.

There has to be a recognition that people need to live up here and not continually fight noise, dust and visual pollution caused by the mines. The mine approval system is built on poor planning by government from the 90s and beyond. It is about time the Department recognised the mistakes made and make a change for the betterment of the area, not just continue to approve mines.