Russell Vale Underground Expansion

I support the Project as the revised bord and pillar mining method
minimises subsidence to very low levels with minimal impacts to
groundwater and the catchment area. The continued operation of the
Russell Vale Colliery will continue mine employment and provide
ongoing economic contribution for the Illawarra and community.

I support the Project as it is great for the community and jobs

I support the application for Employment generation and economic benefit
of Society.

I support the Project as the revised bord and pillar mining method
minimizes subsidence to very low levels with minimal impacts to
groundwater and the catchment area. The continued operation of the
Russell Vale Colliery will continue mine employment and provide
ongoing economic contribution for the Illawarra and community.

I support extending the life of mine for Russell Vale Colliery because
it will secure employment for the proposed workforce of more than 205
employees and will provide additional jobs during the construction
phase of the project.
I support the Project for the benefit and growth of Illawarra region.

I support the Project as it will provide an estimated a net benefit to
NSW of $174.3 million and an estimated net benefit of up to $14.2
million to the local Illawarra region. It will also secure employment
for the proposed workforce of 205 employees and will provides an
additional 22 jobs during the construction phase of the project.

We need this Project to go Ahead for the Employment in the Region along
with getting the best Quality Coal which instead would be used in
making good Quality Steel

The submission seems reasonable and appropriate, so I support it.

The mining style is safe, and will protect the local environment. The
mine has been a responsible member of the Illawarra community for over
a century, and I believe it should be allowed to continue producing
coal.

Steelmaking coal is still a critical part of our modern economy, which
is something I feel most people still don't really appreciate. Without
coal you can't make steel, without steel you can't build bridges, high
rises, medical equipment, cars, trucks, or wind turbines.

I support the submission as it will help the coal industry to continue in
the Illawarra area.
The mine has made major mining method changes to reduce any risk of
Subsidence, noise control, water management.
The project will give employment to 200 direct jobs.
The project will give work to local industries
The mine will also support the Coal Loader at Wollongong.

The security of provision of clean drinking water needs utmost prority,
especially in the desert continent of Australua and it's current
drought conditions. Allowing the Russell Vale Expasion Underground
project would be unethical in exposing mining subsidence due to the
two seams above tge propsed third seam. Even the proponent there is
instability in the overlying Bulli seam. The water losses, both ground
and surface are not acceptible.

I support the project as the revised bord and pillar mining method
minimises subsidence to very low levels with minimal impacts to
groundwater and the catchment area.

The continued operation of the Russell Vale Colliery will continue
mine employment and provide ongoing economic contribution to the local
and wider community.

This mine has been in existence since the late 1800's and, in the
absence of alternate sources of energy in the interim, the project
should be approved. Coking coal is used to produce many of the items
that we rely upon each day. I am all for minimising our impact upon
the environment and am confident that the company has ensured it
complies with the relevant criteria in each area of its operations.

Thank you.

I support extending the life of mine for Russell Vale Colliery because it
will secure employment for the proposed workforce of 205 employees and
will provides an additional 22 jobs during the construction phase of
the project.

I strongly support the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project. Yes
this project will be a massive economic boost to what is a
economically suffering area, but also state wise it is far more
significant than people think. What most people of this region and
Australia do not appreciate is the 'world class" quality of these
coking coals in the Illawarra. I have spent many years in both
international executive roles and mining analyst seats literally
combing the globe trying to find quality coking coal projects like
this one in proximity to first class infrastructure, for my clients
(High net worth individuals, funds, sophisticated investors and
merchant banks) to invest in. Projects like this are rare globally and
their global strategic importance should not be underestimated.

I strongly support the project because of all of the economic and social
benefits the the project will provide and not just to the families of
the immediate workers at the project but in the community as a whole.
THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS AND YOUNG FAMILIES DEPENDANT ON DAD SECURING
HIS JOB ON THIS PROJECT FOR THEIR FUTURE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT OFTEN
GET OVERLOOKED.

I object to the Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report (PPR)
to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project 09-0013.

Some of the reasons for my objection are listed below.

Climate change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Coal mining, whether for energy or steelmaking, produces the GHG
Emissions that are causing dangerous climate change. This project is
estimated to result in 11,624,000 tonnes of GHG emissions through the
mining and the burning of the coal.

A risk to Greater Sydney Water Catchment

The mining will take place in the Special Areas of the Greater Sydney
Water Catchment - areas that forbid public access because of their
sensitivity and strategic importance - and up to the shores of the
Cataract Reservoir.
Not only will the mining infrastructure, such as access roads and vent
shafts, disturb and damage the catchment, the proposal for Bord and
Pillar mining will result in up to 100 mm in subsidence.
The extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under
the Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by
drought and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.

Triple seam mining

The mining is particularly risky because a third seam of coal is being
mined beneath two previously mined seams. Triple seam mining has
little precedent and impacts are difficult to predict.
The proponent admits that instability in the overlaying old Bulli seam
workings may cause pillar collapse and subsequent subsidence of 1 to 2
metres. It is unacceptable of the NSW government to allow such risky
mining in the water catchment for 5 million people of Greater Sydney
in a time of drought.

The proponent is not fit and proper to hold a mining licence

Wollongong Coal and its parent company Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, are
currently the subject of an investigation by the NSW government's
Resources Regulator into whether or not they are a `fit and proper'
entity to hold a mining license. The company has a history of failing
to comply with conditions of approval. Even its auditors have
questioned its capacity to continue as a going concern; its current
liabilities exceed its current assets by nearly A$1 billion.
Wollongong Coal is not a `fit and proper' entity to operate a coal
mine in the water catchment of Australia's largest city.

Impacts on local community

The colliery site at Russell Vale is closer to dense residential areas
than any mine in Australia. Residential communities have suffered the
impacts from this mine over many years, including noise and
particulate pollution. In this day and age, Russell Vale is not a
suitable location for a colliery.
Wollongong Coal plans to build a coal processing plant at the Russell
Vale Colliery and process coal on site. The Russell Vale mine is the
closest mine to any built up residential area in Australia and is not
a suitable area for coal processing. Moreover, the proponent has been
unable or unwilling to comply with many conditions of past approvals
and the NSW government has proven to be unable or unwilling to enforce
compliance. Residents have no confidence in "conditions" or
"commitments" to operate the processing plant according to suitable
standards.

The proponent has a history of non-compliance with approval conditions

Previous applications and approvals promised numerous items to protect
the community and environment that have never been met by the
proponent. These include but are not limited to: truck loading
facilities, sound walls, covered conveyors, limited stockpiles, sealed
roadways and realignment of Bellambi Creek. Now in this new revised
project, Wollongong Coal is promising the same or similar things.
Wollongong Coal is currently operating right at this moment under
three non-compliances: the realignment of Bellambi Creek to protect it
from pollution and flooding (due Oct 2012); the removal of 200,000
tonnes of oversize coal that was illegally stockpiled on the adjoining
slag heap (due July 2019); and, the dedication of land to Council in a
1989 approval from Wollongong City Council (due 1990). All of these
obligations still have not been met.
A proponent with such a poor record of compliance should not be
considered for, let alone granted, approval to mine. The NSW
Department of Planning's inability or unwillingness to enforce
compliance (with the conditions that it itself has stipulated)
undermines confidence in the planning system.

We ask that you reject this application from Wollongong Coal and
commence a process to close the mine at Russell Vale permanently.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours sincerely,
Sharon Pusell.

My objection to the proposed expansion of the Russell Vale Colliery
including the building of a processing plant is based on surveys
carried out since the early 1980's which all highlight the
environmental damage caused by such practices.

Major problems associated with chemical leaching and airborne
pollutants will happen. These problems will always be there for the
coal industry but the big issue with this proposal is that it concerns
a community whose houses start right outside the main gate. The huge
volume of large truck movements to and from the site is also a major
concern.

We are only new to the area but have noticed a large number of young
families moving into Russell Vale with many renovating their houses.
Approval for this proposal would be a catastrophe for the local
community in general.

There seems to be a delicate balance holding back many environmental
issues in the Wollongong region that could easily lead to major
problems.The balance will be tipped if this proposal goes ahead.

We are at retirement age and will be moving on from this area but
still very concerned for the younger generations who absolutely love
living and working here. The proposal put forward here is very much
old school with a new world pushing to think outside of the box. It's
time for a new direction.

I object to the Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report (PPR)
to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project 09-0013.

Some of the reasons for my objection are listed below.

The mining will take place in the Special Areas of the Greater Sydney
Water Catchment - areas that forbid public access because of their
sensitivity and strategic importance - and up to the shores of the
Cataract Reservoir. It seems so obviously wrong that these approvals
for such a destructive practice as longwall mining are even being
considered, the irony being that the proposed expansion falls directly
below an area protected for the purpose of preventing contamination of
this water catchment relied upon by so many.
The extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under
the Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by
drought and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.

The mining is particularly risky because a third seam of coal is being
mined beneath two previously mined seams. Triple seam mining has
little precedent and impacts are difficult to predict.
The proponent admits that instability in the overlaying old Bulli seam
workings may cause pillar collapse and subsequent subsidence of 1 to 2
metres. It is unacceptable of the NSW government to allow such risky
mining in the water catchment for 5 million people of Greater Sydney
in a time of drought.

Not only will all this have immediate detrimental effect on the local
environment and community (Russel Vale is the closer than any other
mines in Australia to a dense residential area), but this is all
happening at a time when the need to move away from fossil fuels has
never been more urgent. This project is estimated to result in
11,624,000 tonnes of GHG emissions through the mining and the burning
of the coal.
Our government needs to be helping in building green industries, and
support extractive industry workers in a transition to green jobs.

Why destroy our dinking water? Every mining company says
It will never happen. It always happens.

I support Wollongong Coal limited producing coal from Russell Vale
Colliery for the following reasons-
1. The planned mining method of 'cut, flit & bolt up') ensures nil
surface subsidence.
2. Russell Vale Colliery when in full production will provide ongoing
economic contribution for the local community and other businesses.
3. The Company has responded to the environmental issues of the
Escarpment, Sydney Water catchment and all areas of the mining lease
held by Russell Vale Colliery.
4. the Sydney Water catchment area is being assessed and money
allocated to corrective actions with the old power pole repairs/
replacement | schedule covers minimum of 1.5 years of works
5. The mine will ensure secure employment for the proposed workforce
of ~170 employees
6. The mine will ensure an additional 22 jobs during the construction
phase of the project; setting up for the 1st and 2nd production
panels. this phase also includes millions of dollars in equipment
supply via local companies and supply companies.
7. Wollongong Coal Limited estimate to NSW of $170- 173.000M benefit
and ~$13- 14.000M to the local council region.
8. young local members of the community may have access to great coal
mining careers with Russell Vale Colliery.
9. Coal Mining is necessary for NSW, Australia and the World with
transport (trains), heating and power supply to communities. More coal
exported cheaper power for 3rd world communities. More coal locally,
cheaper power to each household. (Hot Water Service and housing power/
lights).
10. RVC producing coal is great for the community and local jobs.

Regards,
Les Kennedy
+61 412 917 640

I support the Project because mining has been a massive part of the
growth of the Illawarra region. Much of the Illawarra was settled
because of mining and we as a community would not exist had it not
been for mining in the area. Extending the life of Russell Vale
Colliery means mining will continue to support families, jobs, local
businesses and growth in the Illawarra region.

I support the Project as Wollongong Coal responded well to all
environmental issues raised both on site and within the catchment
area. Less noise, dust and truck movements are local positives. There
will also be minimal subsidence and minimal impacts to groundwater and
the catchment area when mining using the revised bord and pillar
method. In general, environmental impacts will be minimal - which is
great!

Regarding Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report to the
Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project:

I object to the Wollongong Coal's Revised Preferred Project Report
(PPR) to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project 09-0013.

I am particularly concerned about the impact of mining expansion on
the water reserves and future needs of our region of clean, stable
drinking water. The environmental impacts of subsidence are known, and
triple seam mining (proposed here) could exacerbate these negative
impacts. Not only will the mining infrastructure, such as access roads
and vent shafts, disturb and damage the catchment, the proposal for
Bord and Pillar mining will result in up to 100 mm in subsidence. The
extraction for the Wonga Central Development Mains extends under the
Cataract Reservoir itself. Cataract is severely affected by drought
and is currently at only 29% of capacity. Mining should not be
permitted anywhere near Great Sydney water supply reservoirs.

The colliery is also in a densely populated urban area. Our region
needs a just transition from coal mining, not short sighted,
short-term projects. The company has demonstrated poor compliance in
the past, and there is reason to doubt that it will abide by
protective laws and standards.

Furthermore, the project may fail due to the operating company's prior
record. It's auditors note it's current liability in assets is over
$1billion.

I ask that you reject this application from Wollongong Coal and
commence a process to close the mine at Russell Vale permanently.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours sincerely,
Rachel Rowe
Local resident