Mod 3 - Extension

I am employee of the Bengalla Mining Company. I have worked at the mine for the past twelve years in my role is a "Mine Technician".

Prior to starting work at Bengalla I operated a small business in Muswellbrook for 8 years. I fully understand the cyclical nature of mining and the impact it has on the town of Muswellbrook, its people and the surrounding district.

Prior to entering the mining industry, I had a pretty simple and uninformed opinion of mining and its impacts. Since joining Bengalla in 2005 I have seen firsthand how important mines are to Muswellbrook and its people as well as the enormous positive benefits mining provides. As an operator at Bengalla Mine we are actively encouraged to monitor and report any of the negative impacts the Mine may have on the local enviroment and community and to immediately take steps to rectify the situation or to notify a supervisor who can. At Bengalla we take our obligations to the community and environment very seriously and believe that is reflected by our standing amongst the people of the Upper Hunter.

Bengalla Mining Company provides support to well over 50 local community groups and sporting organizations including Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Westpac rescue Helicopter, Upper Hunter Eisteddfod, Muswellbrook High School and the Denman Food & Wine affair.

Bengalla Mine is also heavily involved in education and training and offers apprenticeships, student work experience, University scholarships and funding as well as career days and school mentoring programs.

Clearly I am a supporter of Mining and mining in the Hunter, particularly the Upper Hunter Valley. However, I find myself unable to support the Mt Pleasant Modification as it will have a significant impact on the operation of the Bengalla Mine with the real possibility of 550-600 jobs lost. This would be devastating to the local community and business, particularly on the back of other local closures including, Drayton Mine in 2017 and the scheduled shutdown of Liddel Power Station in 2022. The approval the Mt Pleasant Modification at the expense of Bengalla Mine makes no sense at all.

The submission, as it stands, does not provide for the relocation of a rail line connecting Mt Pleasant to the existing Hunter Rail Line that will run through the Bengalla mining lease. If this Modification is approved it will mean Bengalla Mine will start to wind back operations in 2022 and could cease operations in 2026, 13 years short of its current life of mine approval.

This would be a very poor outcome for mining, for the employee's at Bengalla, the people of the Upper Hunter, NSW and Australia. Bengalla contributes significantly to all of these economies.

For these reasons I do not support the Mt Pleasant Modification. Please give this submission your careful consideration.

Yours Sincerely

Gareth Wanford.

I support this project. It will provide positive economic benefits to for Australia. The proposed modifications are in line with previous approvals and do not appear to add any additional risks or hazards to the project.

I currently work at Bengalla and have done so for 3 years, I live locally with my family in which I am also a part of the thoroughbred racing industry.
I am all for Mt Pleasant and the Mine to go ahead this will bring more jobs and opportunity for the community as a whole, but the submission places the Bengalla Mines future in jeopardy with the current proposed rail loop position. This will have significant impact to family's and the community, I personally would probably have to leave the area along with a large number of Employees to find employment.
Bengalla has had a long and successful relationship with the area and to lose this would be detrimental to the Upper Hunter and the town of Muswellbrook, including the Large and Small contractors that rely on Bengalla for their livelihood.

As a employee of Thiess Pty Ltd this is really exciting for the Hunter Valley a project this big will employ a lot of people as well as a flow on effect for other Companies, especially with the extension of this project will give families more sustainability, this will decrease personal health issues, due to job security.
I have been an employee with Thiess Pty Ltd for over 12 years currently as a permanent casual, there has always been flexibility, their systems are great, diverse work load, great job satisfaction, wonderful work colleagues - there is not one day I haven't enjoyed being employed with this Company.
Thiess Pty Ltd are very conscious of Safety always rewarding safety performance through out work and home environment also engaging in children to submit, for me as a mother I feel this is really important to engage children at a young age the importance of safety.
I am very supportive of Thiess Pty Ltd to receive this Mount Pleasant Project I will be proud and honoured to be part of this team to assist in running this project..

I am an employee of Bengalla and have worked here as the Maintenance and CHPP manager for the last 12 months.
Bengalla is a good business that looks after its people and makes significant contributions to the community.

Bengalla provides stable employment that supports myself and my family. We enjoy being part of the Muswellbrook community and we would like to stay in the area long term.

While I believe that Mt Pleasant should go ahead, it cannot go ahead without resolving the relocation of the rail line. If the rail line is not relocated Bengalla will be impacted by 2022 and stop by 2026. This would impact all employees.

Any approval or extension of Mt Pleasant's lease must contain a requirement to relocate the existing rail line to a location that allows both operations to continue in the long term.

I work at Bengalla and have done so for the past 11 or so years. I live locally with my wife and 3 sons and also play a part in the local Cattle Industry.
I am a supporter of Mt Pleasants right to mine however there submission places Bengalla Mining Company's long term future in doubt along with the employment of about 600 local people. Bengalla supports not only these job's but the local community through sponsorships and local businesses as well.
Bengalla have been around since 1998 and there track record for responsible and environmentally friendly Mining speaks for itself.
I strongly disapprove of this submission as it would be a disaster for the local community especially considering the impacts of the recent decision on Drayton Coal.

I have been employed at Bengalla as an ........... for .......... and to think that I could be out of a job worries me greatly. A secure job is very important to my family to ensure a good education and so that I can meet my house payments.
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.
In addition it will have a big impact on the Muswellbrook community. Bengalla is a big supporter of the Community through schools, sporting clubs, charities and PCYC. They will be at a loss of thousands of dollars per year that is, at present, provided by Bengalla.
Surely Mount Pleasant and Bengalla can come to a compromise so that both can keep mning and moving forward to supplying the Hunter Valley's best coal. In the long run everyone will be affected if the modification is approved.

I am currently and have been an employee of Bengalla mine as a mine technician for the past 14 years. Seeing Mt Pleasant in construction to the north of us has given me and many others in the community an injection of hope for life in the town which has been much needed after the closure of Drayton Coal last year. This positive news has been put under a dark cloud for us at Bengalla upon hearing the news of the rail loop problem that may force us to slow significantly and leave a good deal of our work force uncertain of our employment at Bengalla going forward. Myself and many of my peers contribute to the local community and businesses that are already feeling the strain from the reduction of population in the town. My personal employment situation may not be as bad as some of my peers who have been employees at Bengalla for less time and possess less skills but we will all feel the effects in some way, be it our jobs or seeing businesses and services disappear.
I do not know what the outcome of allowing the rail loop to be constructed in its current form will be but any decision that prevents Bengalla and Mt Pleasant to continue operating can only hamper both operations and the community of Muswellbrook.

We as a local business in the township of Muswellbrook fully support the Mount Pleasant Mine extension until 2026. The nature of our business relies heavily on the mining industry of the Hunter Valley. The continued support we gain from this industry is paramount to the success of our business, which in turn allows us to continue providing our professional services back to Mount Pleasant.

I believe the Mt Pleasant modification will have extreme ramifications on the employees of Bengalla mine and the Muswellbrook community. It is a wonderful mine full of wonderful people that would be rendered redundant in a few short years should the modification be approved.

The implications are massive not only for Bengalla employees that would lose their jobs and likely have to move, but also the businesses and community of Muswellbrook. With the two mines operating effectively side by side the community has a real opportunity to flourish. For these reasons I strongly object to the proposal.

The Aboriginal Community Development Fund (ACDF) that is funded by MACH Energy is an imperative supporter of the Muswellbrook Enrichment Centre (MEC). This program targets aspirant Aboriginal students and allows them after school tuition and pathways once school is finished.
Without their support the MEC would not be able to run and for this to continue their Mt Pleasant operation must continue.
I also feel that the added benefit of jobs within the Muswellbrook area is definitely a bonus for the students who attend the MEC.

I worry that the government will allow this to go ahead without the proper environment checks !! What are they going to do about water , air and noise pollution ... What is the government going to do about water, air and noise pollution from their comfortable office in Canberra !! NOTHING - why cant we be leaders in renewable energy ...

I have read all available documents about this mine and believe that benefits to the community and the country are beneficial. It is better to have high quality coal than low quality and therefore reduce the impacts on the environment.

I am currently the Procurement Superintendent at the Bengalla Mining Company and have been so since November 2016. Having moved interstate to take this position and after working in the mining industry for many years I must say that the first thing that stood out to me was the amazing effort Bengalla put into the local community and their standing within the community which I had not seen previously at other sites where I have worked. Some of the education opportunities provided by Bengalla include:
* Apprenticeship programme - 4 apprentices each year
* Offer 20 work experience placements per year for Muswellbrook High School students
* 5 x Undergraduate scholarships
* 1 x Engineering Scholarship
* Involved in Careers Days and mentoring at Schools and Polly Farmer Centre
Bengalla is also very proud of its sponsorship to the local community which includes but not limited to:
* Upper Hunter Show - major sponsor for past 21 years
* Professional Health and Fitness Resource for Muswellbrook PCYC
* Muswellbrook Open Art Prize
* Blue Heeler Film Festival
* Muswellbrook Race Club through the Bengalla Race Day
* Upper Hunter Education Fund
* Muswellbrook Netball Association - naming rights sponsorship for 2017 season
* Upper Hunter Eisteddfod - naming rights sponsorship for 2017 and gold sponsor in previous years
* Muswellbrook Tennis Club - replacement of lighting and Seniors tournament - annually
* Denman Food and Wine Affair
* Scone Polo - Dougal Archibald Cup
* Cattle Judging for school students at local show
* Muswellbrook High School
o Robotics Club - registration for competition and travel expenses to USA
o Diaries for all students
o Breakfast Club
o Oven for special education classroom
* Upper Hunter Working Cattle Dog Trials
* Muswellbrook Rotary Club - Model United Nations Assembly, Charity Ball and exchange programme
* Muswellbrook Public School Gymnastics Programme and fete
* Muswellbrook South Public School - Band scholarships and fete
* All local schools (MBK Shire, Aberdeen & Scone) end of year presentation awards
* Muswellbrook Junior Rugby League Football Club
* Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Lands Council - Naidoc Week activities
* Camp Quality
* Riding for the Disabled - Covers for riding shed
* Cancer Council NSW - Relay for Life, Transport to Treatment programme
* Westpac Rescue Helicopter - Black Coal Golf Day, Pig races and recent fundraiser
* Muswellbrook Charity Rodeo & Camp draft
* Upper Hunter Motoring Association
* Wildlife Aid
* Muswellbrook Poultry Club
* Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
* Hunter Research Foundation Breakfasts
* Dunedoo Cassilis fires
Bengalla also recently hosted a supply chain forum where we were expecting around 30 to 40 attendees however over 120 turned up which shows the interest in Bengalla from local suppliers, contractors and the community. The feedback has been very positive with Bengalla further expanding its support and relationships with the local community.
My concern is around the modification to the Mt Pleasant Coal Mine which could potentially stop mining operations at Bengalla resulting in job losses which would have a major impact on the community. Nobody wants to see either operation to stop, in fact the best outcome for the local community, NSW and Australia would be a solution to allow both operations to proceed mining until their respective end of mine lives without restraint.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Modification 3 proposal and request that the Department of Planning and Environment require that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment be undertaken to reflect today's environmental standards, government policies and community expectations.
This is not a straightforward or simple extension to an existing operational mine.
Since first being approved, much has changed in terms of government policies, environmental standards and community expectations - including any social licence to operate.
It is clear that an 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.
It is incomprehensible that a DA granted nearly 20 years ago should be allowed to proceed without rigorous and contemporary environmental and socioeconomic assessments.
Mining companies should not be allowed to sit on DAs, do nothing, not follow through on their commitments and keep communities in suspense for decades. This is not a just or fair process, and does not provide local landholders and residents with any confidence to invest in their future.

Yours

....................

Dear Sir/Madam,

Myself and my organisation, Clean Process Technologies, would like to make a submission in support of the approval extension for MACHEnergy's Mt Pleasant mine.

I have met with several of the mines management team and I have been impressed with their commitment to provide a working coal mine in harmony with the nearby town of Muswellbrook and with their workers and suppliers. They have a commitment to using local suppliers and to Australian technologies.

We have begun talks with them to use our technologies to completely dewater their CHPP tailings and hopefully, in the future, this mine could become a show case for tailings disposal.

The MACHEnergy team have shown themselves to me, to be energetic and committed and committed to building a solid business that fits the communities expectations. Those expectations are for the workforce and for the environment.

I am very happy to support their submission for an extension of their approval.

Regards,

Noel Lambert
Director
Clean Process Technologies,

I object to the application.
The application is incomplete, and doesn't reflect proper and current environmental standards, appropriate policies and community expectations.
I am concerned about the negative effects mining is having, and that this proposed mine will have, on our community and environment.
Even though there has never been any mining activity on the land for some 20 years, nothing has been done to consider that lapse in time, the shift in the environmental standards or cumulative impacts, or the need for a strong and diverse local economy at a time when coal is in structural decline.
An open and transparent process ought to be conducted for the assessment through a Planning Assessment Commission.
The application ought to be dismissed if there is any negative impact on the local community, health, or the long-term viability of local and sustainable industry such as agriculture. On the face of it, these will be the impacts if this application is approved.

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.
The mining operations proposed by this Modification would result in both noise and air quality exceedences due to the cumulative impact of this and the surrounding mines.
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.
Mining companies should not be allowed to sit on DAs, do nothing, not follow through on their commitments and keep communities in suspense for decades. This is not just or fair process and does not provide local landholders and residents with any confidence to invest in their future.

The proposal of MOD 3 will have a direct impact on this community and my family. I am 22 years of age and have worked at Bengalla for two years now, my job is stable and is providing me the income I need to start a family and continue living in the hunter valley, I have lived here my whole life and enjoy what I do. Bengalla plays a massive role in the community and small businesses in town. From the scholarships offered to the high school I attended (Muswellbrook High School), to the annual event 'Muswellbrook Show' and the major fundraiser The Black Coal Cup. It also does a lot for other businesses always using local resources, three of my friends family owned businesses all have ongoing contracts with bengalla. The extension Bengalla has in place has giving me hope to secure a permanent position as an operator, start a family and live locally where I grew up. This proposal is a direct threat to my future and many others. My brother works along side me on my crew, my other brother visits bengalla regularly as a scaffholder and many other LOCAL family's work and have worked here for many years. If this rail loop is to remain in the location suggested, myself, my family and 600+ fellow workers will lose their jobs. There is a way we can both mine side by side, and that would be the best outcome for the community.

I object to the modification currently being considered for the approved Mount Pleasant coal mine between Muswellbrook and Aberdeen for the following reasons:
1. If the Mount Pleasant Mine Modification is allowed to continue, it will be an egregious use of public funds that could be better spent on public education, public transport, research and development of renewables. You do not have my permission to squander my taxpayer dollars on such a destructive project.
2. The money that could end up being spent on the Mount Pleasant Mine Modification ought to be redirected to the renewable sector. The major parties have signed a Faustian bargain with the fossil fuel industry.
3. What about our children? Why does the fate of everybody's children not concern our politicians?
4. Under the original consent, mining was approved only to take place at Mount Pleasant until 2020. We have known for some time that a modification would be needed to extend this timeframe, and this is it and I object.
5. If this mine modification proceeds, and the expansion of Bengalla and the Dartbrook Open Cut proceed, then the area immediately to the North of Muswellbrook is going to be nearly a 20km string of open cut pits from Mount Arthur to Dartbrook, broken only by the poor Hunter River and the farms squeezed in at Kayuga.
6. This is not a simple extension of life of an existing mine. Since this project was assessed and approved in 1999, the surrounding area has changed substantially with the opening of Mangoola mine and the construction and expansion of Bengalla mine and several expansions of Mount Arthur mine.
7. The impact of mining on the communities in and surrounding Muswellbrook has grown much worse and several new policies and regulations have been introduced. The air quality in the local area has deteriorated and the noise from mining operations in the vicinity has grown worse. Many farms and properties have been bought by mining companies, and the thoroughbred breeding industry has expressed extreme concern about the expansion of further open cut mining operations in the area and the threat such operations pose to its continued existence.
8. Given this dramatic change in the environment surrounding this project, the impacts of the mine are very different from what was expected in the late nineties. A new environmental impact statement assessing the project and the cumulative impact it will create with the surrounding mines is essential.
9. The maximum 24 hour average PM10 concentration recorded at Muswellbrook North West, Muswellbrook and Wybong breached the 50µg/m3 criteria every year from 2012-2015. Annual average PM2.5 concentrations in Muswellbrook are already well over the 8µg/m3 criterion and 24 hour average concentrations of PM2.5 are also in breach of the 25µg/m3 goal. By extending mining at Mount Pleasant beyond 2020, this modification will unacceptably add to that health burden and must be refused.
10. The Department of Planning's Voluntary Land Acquisition and Mitigation Policy (VLAMP) has not been updated to reflect the current particulate pollution limits in the EPA's Approved Methods for air quality assessment. Landholders affected by this project will be disadvantaged by this. The VLAMP must be amended or repealed before this modification is determined.
11. The proponent is seeking approval for this modification without having resolved its conflict with the adjacent Bengalla mine, which has approval to mine the area designated for the Mount Pleasant transport corridor. This conflict will only arise if this modification is granted to extend mining at Mount Pleasant beyond 2020. As the Department of Planning has already granted Bengalla consent to mine this area on the assumption that the Mount Pleasant consent to mine ceased in 2020, this modification will create legal uncertainty and conflict and must be refused.
12. This modification proposes to reach the peak of mining one year before the proposed 2026 end point, which indicates that either the proponent does not intend to wind down and rehabilitate, or intends to extend the operation beyond that time by seeking further modification. This is unacceptable uncertainty for the surrounding community and unacceptable failure to assess the full impact of the proposed mining operations at Mount Pleasant
Given the abundant evidence that we are all now privy to, any government that approves such a project as the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification is culpable of ecocide and associated social and cultural devastation. To allow such a project is unconscionable. To approve such a project does not meet our obligations to our future generations.

The Upper Hunter is a spectacular part of Australia. It beggars belief that any government would even for a moment consider ripping up yet more of our beautiful country. Enough is enough.

I object to the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine Modification and remind you again that the world no longer has an appetite for such projects and already we are seeing litigation being commenced by young people who recognise how their futures have been significantly compromised by today's greedy politicians and multi-national companies.

Kind regards,
Sue Abbott
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Scone NSW 2337