Mod 3 - Extension

This mine should not go ahead and at the very least the applicant should be required to undergo a full environmental impact assessment that reflects today's environmental standards, government policies and community attitudes.

I am currently working at Bengalla ............... I only started this in ........... Bengalla has all ways and will continue to be actively involved in the local community, this is one of the main reason why I wanted to work at this Mine. The proposed changes Mt Pleasant are wanting to implement will have have effects on not just the people working at Bengalla but the wider community. There must be another way that the two mines can continue to develop but that will have less impact on every one. No one want to see people loose jobs. We should all be working towards decreasing employment rates.

I have worked at Bengalla for ......... I live in the Muswellbrook community and moved to this area for work. I am proud to say that I work at Bengalla, it is integral to the success of the local community.
Bengalla has provided me with great opportunities and stable employment for the past ........
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 stop operation causing myself and 600 Bengalla employees to lose their jobs.
The best outcome for Bengalla, Mt Pleasant, Muswellbrook, NSW and Australia is that both mines continue for their full life.

I Jodie Janssen object to Mt Pleasant Coal Mine Modification 3.
Of primary concern is the proposed route of the railway spur line servicing the Mt Pleasant Coal operations and the impact this will have on the future of the neighbouring Bengalla Coal Mine.
I have been employed as a Mining Technician at Bengalla Mine for the past seven years, being an equal opportunity employer Bengalla has enabled myself and other women to get a start in mining, and develop my skills while at the same time supporting my family from a local, rural background.
The secure stable employment of myself and six hundred other workers is now at risk, if Bengalla is forced to cease mining operations because of the route of the Mt Pleasant railway spur line.
Also at risk are many local businesses that are suppliers to Bengalla and the wider Upper Hunter economy that has in recent years suffered the impacts of mine closures and over all reduction of the local mining industry.
Therefore the proponents of the Mt Pleasant Mine should be directed to investigate an alternative route for the Mt Pleasant Railway Spur line that will secure the future of both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla Mining operations.

Secretary of Planning

This submission is to inform you of my objection to the MACH Energy Modification 3 Application (Application).

Bengalla Mining Company (Bengalla) has been a strong contributor to the local, New South Wales and Australian economy for around two decades.

Bengalla is approved to mine coal until 2039 providing opportunity to further contribute.

Bengalla's 600 strong workforce is focused locally with a annual program to provide apprenticeships and scholarships to local school students.

Bengalla contributes to various local community groups and Muswellbrook Shire Council through its Voluntary Planning Agreement.

The Application seeks to extend the life of Mt Pleasant Mine by six years to December 2026.

This Application if approved will materially interfere with, or have a materially adverse impact on mining at Bengalla.

It is possible and achievable for both mines to be long term successful.

It is requested that the Department of Planning and review the Application in that light.

Regards
Craig White

I have worked at Bengalla for ......... My role at Bengalla is in ............. I have work majority of my career in the mining industry, I enjoy the unique challenges and wonderful opportunities that mining has to offer.


During my time at Bengalla I have learned that Bengalla is integral to the success of the local community. Bengalla offers so much to the mining industry and community. It provides a large employment base for locals, supports schools and community through open days and programs. Bengalla is one of, if not the best organisation I have worked for. It values its employees and what they can bring to the organisation and is one big team. It has been a stable place of employment for me which has enabled me to support my family.

Bengalla is a very well regarded member of the Muswellbrook community as Bengalla supports lots of community organisations and events including the Bengalla Mine Open Day where all members of the community are welcome to visit the Bengalla Mine. It provides a large number of scholarships to local students which allows them to progress into long term careers.

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 also 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 object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment reject this proposal.
I am very concerned about the damaging effects mining is having on our air quality and on our precious water.
I am a farmer who provides valuable food to Australians. If our water was impacted by yet another mine I will be out of business.
Mining is destroying our country and devaluing our properties. Look at the destruction to the country around Singleton and Muswellbrook. Do you want to destroy another valuable valley that is so precious to the thoroughbred industry and our farming industry?

I strongly object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and seek that the Department of Planning and Environment reject this proposal.
Mining is destroying our agricultural lands. Farming is here forever, mining is short term. Let's not destroy our land and water resources any more than we already have.

I have worked at Bengalla for the past 6 years. My Role is a Chpp Production Technician. And previously been working in the industry my working life.
While working at Bengalla i have seen first hand of the contributions to the local community and support of the local events.
Bengalla has been a very stable and reliable employer and as a result of the Mount Pleasant modification request will significantly impact on Bengalla causing the earlier closure of Bengalla.
The best outcome for the upper hunter and surroundings would be and alternative route for the rail loop.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification as we cannot co-exist with mining so close to our towns and our critical farming industry.

If we destroy our farming industry where will our clean and green food come from? China??

I have lived in the local area all of my life and worked at Bengalla for 12 years. Throughout this time i have personally seen how Bengalla works with the local community and suppliers to ensure that they are supported by the operation. Bengalla have shown that they are able to operate responsibly while still supporting the local community throughout this time.

The Mount Pleasant modification worries me as it will allow a railway line to remain in place and cause Bengalla to reduce its operation. This causes a lot of concern to myself and the other 600 employees as our jobs are in jeopardy. On top of this i have previously highlighted the support that Bengalla provides to the local community, this will be drastically reduced or disappear completely.

The best outcome for Bengalla, Mount Pleasant and the local community is that both mines continue for their entire life.

I have been an operator at Bengalla for the past 2 years and lived in the area my whole life seeing first hand how much they support the community, my immediate and extended family rely on the future & growth of Bengalla.
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.
The threat to the local bussisness concerns me and the risk to our community if both mines cannot continue their full life.

The Rutherford Group supports this project as it creates much needed jobs for the Hunter Valley. Mach Energy is a responsible corporate citizen and acts in the best interests of the community.

I object to the Mt Pleasant modification 3 on the following grounds
1. The mine was approved many years ago but has not operated as a mine during that time, in contravention of the development consent.
2. Since the mine was approved, other mines have been developed and others are being planned. The original development consent was made without this knowledge and therefore was unable to take into account the cumulative effect of the mines in the local area. The mining approval for Mt Pleasant should be withdrawn and the approval re-examined so that the cumulative effect of the mine on the air and water quality of the Hunter Valley and the world can be assessed.

This mine will provide job opportunities for locals in the Hunter area

For the past 17 years I've worked as a contractor and now a permanent employee and Bengalla Mining company. I believe Bengalla is an important part of the local community in supplying jobs, sponsoring and supporting of local charities, education and job employment. I believe Bengalla is in integral part to the propsperity to the local community. I would not like to see the future of the mine jeopardised by the extension to Mount Pleasant Mine. I believe the best outcome for the local community would be for both mines to work together to resolve thier issues.

The Muswellbrook Men's Shed Inc is a registered Not for Profit/Charity Organisation, with our main charter being that of men's health issue and the rehabilitation of retired Industry into retirement or after injury as well as other issues such as Cancer, Depression, Heart Disease and general community health issue relating to men. MACH Energy has taken a great interest in our community organisation and have afforded us financial assistance to aid our important organisation. Our organisation are great supporter of the mining industry in our community as mining is the backbone of our communities survival in uncertain economic downturn, and to lose the operation of Mt Pleasant/Mach Energy would be extremely detrimental to the economic survival of the Muswellbrook area but also the sustainability of organisations such as our, therefore our members and our organisation fully support Mt Pleasant/Mach Energy submission for extension of its mining activity in our community.

As attached

We are a family business that run Wills Hill Black Simmental stud. We sell Pure Bred Black Simmental Bulls to local Hunter valley beef producers and get to meet many locals who have purchased our heifers and Bulls over the years. We have only seen solid support for what mining brings to the whole district. Our clients have seen the rejuvenation of grazing land after mining rehabilitation to high live stock carrying capacity and weight gains. This has followed years of pre- mining over grazing and land degradation that all but left the hunter unsuitable for grazing, and overcome with weeds infestation such as fire weed.
We meet young families who have been able to set them selves up financially and to provide security, education and confidence to their children. Mining has provided the base for their children to remain in the area to fulfill their own family growth in the same security environment. Only the long term presence of mining can provide this confidence and security.
We support local schools to help a long term confidence in the area by donating steers to agricultural students to handle and develop for showing. The enclosed photo is a steer the Aberdeen St Josephs High School prepared and were accepted to show at the Royal Easter show.
To provide assurance that the local area remains confident and prosperous the presence of mining is critical, and we fully support the extension to the MT Pleasant extension by Modification 3
Yours Faithfully
Bob, Rose, Lucy and Jo Butcher
Wills Hill Black Simmental Stud

Refer to the attached company letter.