Mod 4 - Rail Infrastructure

MACH Energy is an important customer to our business, with the proposed
development providing our organisations with the opportunity to
continue to work closely together. The approval of MOD4 will give
certainty to both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla, which will allow both
operations to continue unimpeded and allow our business to grow with
additional employees. The new infrastructure delivers a good
environmental outcome as outlined in the Environmental Assessment MACH
has designed the rail so that Wybong Rd can remain open

Dear Sir, As a local resident and landholder of the Muswellbrook Shire, I
am writing in support of the Mount Pleasant Operations Modification 4.
The Mount Pleasant Operation will result in positive long term
economic benefits to the local community and will be a major source of
employment for the town of Muswellbrook and Aberdeen by providing
valuable direct and indirect job opportunities. Your Sincerely Peter
York

I have recently relocated and settled in the area purchasing a residence
at Scone. I support the MOD as it will provide certainty for the
future of mining at Mount Pleasant, providing employment for myself
and others in the district.

I support the proposed modification (4) to the existing Mt Pleasant
Operation on the basis that it provides long term surety to the local
community and the region. It also ensures that the adjacent coal mine
can continue to exist in a full capacity for a longer duration. MACH
Energy have established their operation responsibly and with a strong
emphasis on providing opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders. I
see no reason why their application should not be given favourable
treatment.

The importance of the Mt Pleasant Operation to me and the Aboriginal
community is great, in providing working opportunities and support to
the local community. That the approval of MOD4 will give certainty to
both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla, which will allow both operations to
continue unimpeded and the benefits of that to my family, the local
community and NSW. The new infrastructure delivers a good
environmental outcome as outlined in the Environmental Assessment That
MACH has designed the rail so that Wybong Rd can remain open.

The importance of the Mt Pleasant Operation to me and the Aboriginal
community is great and supported in providing future work
opportunities and support to the local community. The approval of MOD4
will give certainty to both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla, which will allow
both operations to continue unimpeded and the benefits of that to me,
the local community and NSW. The new infrastructure delivers a good
environmental outcome as outlined in the Environmental Assessment That
MACH has designed the rail so that Wybong Rd can remain open.

I object for the following reasons. The application for a modification is
invalid. This mine should never have been approved as a separate
identity from Bengalla mine. It was approved when it was a joint
venture. Treasury (or whoever) should never have approved the sale of
the resource with its current approval as a separate entity. The
successful operation of Mt Pleasant is and was pivotal on using
existing Bengalla infrastructure and being mined as a flow on to
Bengalla operation. The original approval was made with this joint
venture in place and as a consideration and in mind. This cannot be
assessed as a modification to the original approval. This proposal
bears no resemblance to the original mine plan and therefore is a
significant change to the original approval and should be dealt with
as a new development application in its entirety. The environmental
impact changes to the natural and built environment are significant.
The original mine development application originally had the
infrastructure on the eastern side closer to the town of Muswellbrook
with a rail loop across the flood plains. This was relocated because
of public submissions and reconsideration by the proponent. At that
time Mt Pleasant proposal was a joint venture with Bengalla mine
proposal. Look up the Commission of Enquiry for the original approval
and also the Bengalla Mine Commission of Enquiry. It was considered
best practise at the Bengalla approval to not put the rail loop on the
flood plain. The original approval was made with consideration of the
impacts of the infrastructure on the town of Muswellbrook. As a
result, and considering those impacts, the infrastructure was approved
relocated to the western side of the proposal. To now approve the
infrastructure to the east of the proposal would be to entirely ignore
the Commission of Inquiry findings and considerations and result in a
substantial increase in the number of residents and properties
impacted by this proposal. I also object for the following reasons.
Poor or no assessment on the impacts of: The growing heat bank effect
due to the cumulative amount of open and/or unvegetated ground
(desolate tract) surrounding the township of Muswellbrook. (A
resulting manmade desert effect) Manmade micro and macro climate
changes due to the cumulative amount of open and/or unvegetated ground
surrounding the town. Manmade micro and macro climate changes due to
the cumulative changing topography surrounding the town. The changes
in air current flows and storm activity due to the accumulated amount
of open and/or unvegetated ground and the changing topography. The
resulting changes in noise and dust impacts due to the accumulated
amount of open and/or unvegetated ground and the changing topography.
The funnel effect of proposed development of the rail corridor from
west to east (generally where the current Wybong Road exists) with
resulting bunds walls on either side of this corridor. (one bund being
the Bengalla Mine bund and the other being proposed Mt Pleasant Bund).
This will effectively funnel noise and dust directly to the town of
Muswellbrook. This funnel effect will be substantially amplified
during the seasonally westerlies and north westerlies. The use of the
Hunter River flood plain and alluvial for any form of infrastructure.
The impacts on the community, both above and below the proposed
infrastructure, from the changes to the flood flows of the Hunter
River. The community should not be made an unwilling creditor to the
Mount Pleasant Mine. I object to the proposal as there has been
inadequate /no assessment of the following impacts The additional
insurance costs to the community for changes to the existing mapped
flood areas. The additional cost to community members to install and
operate air conditioning units required to deal with the additional
increase in noise, dust and heat bank effects. The additional costs to
the community for any loss of efficiency of solar installations from
dust impacts The additional costs to the community for additional
cleaning of solar installations from dust impacts The costs to the
community of additional cleaning costs for all external surfaces on
infrastructure plant and equipment. For example (but not limited to)
Swimming pools, vehicles, external building and dwelling surfaces. The
costs to the community of additional cleaning costs for all internal
surfaces, plant and equipment. For example (but not limited to)
flooring, carpets, furniture appliances. The loss of liveability of
the community in the township of Muswellbrook from the cumulative
visual, dust and noise impacts. The cumulative social changes to the
town from a drive-in drive out transient population that has no
community ties other than their place of employment. Traffic
congestions at the pinch points of Singleton and Branxton prior to and
end of shift periods suggest as a rule that the larger proportion of
employees and contractors do not live in the town of Muswellbrook,
preferring to live in more liveable areas of Cessnock, Maitland,
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government areas. This resulted in
political pressures for by- passes of these pinch point areas and was
largely pivotal in the building of the Hunter Expressway. The
resulting Hunter Expressway has further exacerbated the social
negativity of mining to the township of Muswellbrook by making it
easier to travel daily from these lower hunter regions as employees in
the mining industry and therefor not needing to relocate and settle
into the community of Muswellbrook.

As an employee of the mining sector and a resident of Muswellbrook, I am
happy to see the improvement in sentiment and employment opportunities
that have arisen as a result of the Mount Pleasant project. I lived in
Muswellbrook several years ago when mining projects were slowing and
the impact on Muswellbrook was terrible, seeing small business come
and go at a rapid rate. With Mount Pleasant continuing to support
local jobs, I support this proposal.

Currently we are involved with MACH Energy Australia via the leasing of
offset country in the Merriwa district. We have found MACH Energy
Australia to be a down to earth, approachable and practical mining
company that has selected and placed staff in certain roles so as to
allow this positive direction to occur. The practicality of the
proposal of the re-route of the train line and associated services
makes perfectly good sense to me and I am sure it is beneficial for
all parties involved. MACH Energy Australia, since coming to the
Hunter Valley, has been found to be very connected to the local
community in various ways from sponsorship through to employment of
local people. They are a large employer of local people and patronise
local businesses in the surrounding townships. They provide support to
local causes such as Denman Public School, Muswellbrook Pre-School ,
Lions Club of Muswellbrook, etc. My family and business is involved in
and supports the mining industry. We are an equal opportunity employer
that employs approximately 30 people from predominantly the local
area, including indigenous employees. We cover agricultural pursuits
as well as mining support. We firmly believe that mining can co-exist
with agriculture. MACH Energy Australia is on the same page. The staff
are extremely personable and readily available for all discussions.
They are open to all approaches which reflects in their decision
making process. They respect the community's view point and take the
time to listen to the "other side of the story" presented by
individuals in the community, regardless of their station. By
employing local people in the community they guarantee the continued
flourishing of many small towns, who would otherwise struggle. I am a
strong supporter of taking care of the local environment. It is up to
each generation to obtain a happy medium with business and the land. I
believe this can be done and Mod 4 is a big positive, and an example
of how they work with the community. Disruptions to each mine site
therefore are minimised. This is an example of practicality and good
business sense. This allows a "win-win" situation for everyone,
including the state of NSW as the more coal that is moved the greater
the royalties and I am sure the route for the new rail line will lead
to a much smoother operation. In conclusion, I fully endorse MACH
Energy's approach and actions in settling this issue earlier rather
than later as it provides needed security to the local community,
employees and businesses. I can be contacted on 0427 764023 should any
clarification be required.

As a local resident of the Muswellbrook Shire, I am writing in support of
the Mount Pleasant Operations Modification 4. The Mount Pleasant
Operation will result in positive long term economic benefits to local
communities and will be a major source of employment for the town of
Muswellbrook and Aberdeen by providing valuable direct and indirect
job opportunities.

Cumberland Plain Seeds (cpseeds) undertakes native seed collection and
some land management activities for MACH Energy. We manage, harvest
and process native grass seed from Mount Pleasant to be used locally
on MACH Energy land rehabilitation. MACH have been a very good
customer and are very important to our business and to our employees
and families. Properly assessed modifications that facilitate
continued operations at the mine will likely benefit my business,
employees and our local suppliers. Considerations including sound
environmental outcomes and continued use of Wybong Rd are important
factors. Thank you for the opportunity to make a Submission.

I support this project as it allows the continued development of Mount
Pleasant Operation and continued operation of Bengalla Coal Mine.
There are minimal environmental and community impacts from the
proposed development.

Puma Energy (Australia) Fuels are a fuel and lubricant supplier into the
Australian market and in particular directly to the Mount Pleasant
operation in the Hunter Valley. We are pleased to have the opportunity
to express our unequivocal support for Mach Energy and their MOD 4
that will benefit both the Mount Pleasant operation and Bengalla. This
project is critical to the stability of the community and relative job
market. As you are aware the region, along with other coal regions,
has been under substantial hardship resulting from low commodity
indices. To see a company like Mach Energy investing in the region,
particularly a greenfield site such as Mt Pleasant is incredibly
satisfying. The added benefit is Wybong road can remain open under the
Mach Energy designed rail loop. Mach Energy Australia being a new to
industry miner are a positive sign of market rebound and provide much
needed revenue for local contractors and trades people alike. The
support from the Department of Planning & Environment is obviously
critical to reward that type of venture in the region. Personally our
observations of Mach Energy from dealings both at corporate and site
level are that of a vibrant company that conducts itself with the
utmost professionalism. I am confident that Mach Energy Australia will
play an integral part in the Muswellbrook community and will be seen
as a role model for increased investment in the region.

I would like to nominate my support for MOD4 as I believe the proposed
development will be beneficial for the local economy and community by
allowing the ongoing operation of both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla mines
in providing both local jobs and work for local businesses. The
development will also provide jobs in wider NSW and continued income
for the NSW government to benefit the residents of NSW.

Fyfe is very supportive of this application. The Mach Energy project has
enabled Fyfe to employ 2 additional staff as well as provide a great
opportunity for our existing staff to develop their careers in a
number of unique areas of skill. Large scale construction projects
like this in a region deliver hard to find development opportunities
for smaller businesses in the area. Fyfe also understands that the
proposed pipeline and rail move will enable the Bengalla mine to
continue to operate, who are another of our local clients and who
employ a large number of local staff.

This project has potential to bring in more opportunities for locals and
will also boost the local infrastructure.

We are a small family business operating out of the Hunter valley and
have witnessed the detrimental impact on individuals and other
businesses in the Hunter region. This impact is impacting on mental
health, family and financial security. More recently, we have seen the
impact on energy security and cost in SA and now NSW and Victoria due
to the incapability of renewable energy to support the general
community, small business and industry with electricity supply failure
and uncertainty. Energy is the underpin of all our social expectation
and security. Electricity from coal is still an absolute requirement
while we transition to renewables over the next 30 years. MACHEnergy,
being a energy providing company in both coal and alternate types is a
fundamental pillar for our over all security. It is essential that
modification 4 is urgently processed Yours Sincerely Bob, Rose Lucy
and Jo Butcher Wills Hill Black Simmental Stud ,

MACH Energy is a valued client of our organisation. The approval of MOD4
will give certainty to both Mt Pleasant and Bengalla, which will allow
both operations to continue unimpeded and the benefits of that to our
business, the local community and NSW. The new infrastructure also
delivers a good environmental outcome as outlined in the Environmental
Assessment. We also note that MACH Energy has designed the rail so
that Wybong Rd can remain open.

I wish to express my support to the this application and Mt Pleasant
Operations. This project has given the community and myself great
opportunities. I believe its future will open more opportunities and
provide stability to everyone involved with both Mt Pleasant and
Bengalla Operations. Also the Environmental Assessment shows that the
infrastructure proposed in the application delivers a good
environmental outcome and will have limited impacts to the community.

I support this modification as it allows continued development and
expansion at Mount Pleasant and continued operations at Bengalla Mine.
Both operations are key providers of employment in Muswellbrook and
the Hunter Valley.