SSD 6395 - Bobs Farm Sand Mine Project

Dear People, I wish to make known my opposition to the proposed sand
mine.

This mine will destroy the quality of life for the people living near
it with its dust, noise and disturbance and also make the region less
attractive for tourists.

Habitat for wildlife will be destroyed, and already we have lost too
much. The mine may benefit a few people, but widely will detract from
the quality of life for many more, so on balance it is a bad proposal.

Approval of a sandmine to supply for the purposes of fracking, is
disgusting and immoral. Fracking is not an industry the wider
community support. It damages the watertable, the environment, and now
it will destroy the sand dunes.

Therefore, I object to the proposal.

Many thanks for the opportunity to comment.

Yours sincerely
Sandra Shergill

It saddens me of a 5th generation family to keep seeing the government
supporting this all for money. The area does not need another negative
to the area especially after the ongoing environmental impact from the
raaf base, and this also is going to have significant water issues to
surrounding properties, local school and businesses. I cannot believe
how this is even considered in the location. I am a traddie and part
of our safe work method statement states how bad silicosis is and the
huge Heath hazards, this mine is going to destroy locals please do not
put this here, think of the people, the poor animals, the trees, the
heritage to the area. You cannot ignore this. All for money.

I object due to the environmental impact of the proposed mine

This will have a detrimental impact on the area

I wholeheartedly disagree with this sand mine in Bobs Farm going ahead.
The increased traffic on Nelson bay rd due to trucks is not only bad
for our environment but also increases the danger and risk of
accidents on this road. The sand mine would create poor environmental
outcomes for the mostly untouched area of Port Stephens. The silica
dust in the air that would like affect the children attending school
in Bobs Farm is unacceptable. Please reconsider. We the residents of
Port Stephens say NO

There is already enough traffice clogging up our small roads. There is
only one way in and out of this area, and if a truck has an accident,
we will not be able to get in or out. The roads are deteriorating
badly due to the heavy truck traffic, and is not repaired properly.
They are not designed for this purpose.
Also, there is enough native habitat being destroyed. The wildlife is
more important than sand mining.
Being so close to a school is outrageous. There is no control over the
hours these trucks use the road. They already cause traffic delays
during peak hour.

I feel that this can only be a detriment to the Bob's Farm and
surrounding areas. Clearing 35+ acres of land with threatened species
in there and food for them, means the animals will either die or try
to move out across the main roads even more. The mining to 15m under
the water table... Could be fine, could be NOT, let's be responsible
about it.

The extra trucks will mean not just extra cost in road maintenance,
but so much more noise for Bob's Farm School that children will be
unable to concentrate and they and their results will suffer, for the
profit of the mine.

The mine will worsen air quality, including pollution with silica
dust, in the area. It's not THAT far away from areas that have been
cripplingly affected by pollution from the Air Force ... I support our
armed forces, but not ruination of land (and increased cancers)
followed by a deaf ear!

So many local residents have been saying a loud and clear "NO!" to
this, yet looks like it will go ahead. This is very bad form and
smacks of corruption. This mine should NOT GO AHEAD.

This must be stopped.
I reject the proposal for the sand mines due to the devestation effect
on wildlife, house pricing and community health.

I strongly object to the sand mining proposal on the following basis:
1. Increased traffic flow and heavy vehicle movements. This is
increasing the risk to locals.
2. Loss of bush land - there will be a significant loss of native
bushland under the sand mine proposal. There would be a lot of native
species in that bush.
3. Visual amenity will be lost if the project goes ahead.
4. The school will be adversely affected with noise, dust and other
pollution.
5. It is incomparable with surrounding businesses and port Stephens
ever shifting image towards tourism and being environmentally
responsible.

I hope you will consider my submission.

Kind regards

Tony

Please don't let this mine go ahead it will destroy that area and species
it's a unique area and should be protected from mining .

I am a local Bobs Farm resident (of 20 years) & also a permanent part
time teacher at Bobs Farm Public School. I am completely flabbergasted
that this submission for a sand mine has even been considered - next
to a school, threatened species on site, air & noise pollution,
affects on the water table, silica dust are just a few issues & this
area is the entrance to the holiday destination of the "Blue Water
Wonderland"? And for what gain? To fill a few golf courses & buy
"shareholders" a waterfront property & another Range
Rover......Currently our classrooms vibrate as the local buses pass -
how will we deal with teaching the children when there are 18-20 B
double truck movements per hour? Silica dust can travel in the air for
up to 10kms, yes, what about the children - what about the staff?! and
residents?! Silicosis is deadlier than asbestosis. I can't even begin
to imagine the devastation to this parcel of bushland that I am quite
familiar with having ridden my horses through this beautiful area many
years ago. There is something very wrong with any government body that
considers approving this disaster - allowing such a vast area of
bushland to be completely destroyed with such long term affects (&
this is when a local resident can be fined by the Council for trimming
a tree). I have seen first hand the after effects of sand mining in
Port Stephens & the so -called re-vegetation. (the area between Nelson
Bay Road/Port Stephens Drive that was mined in the 1970's). Locals
will go through 15 years of suffering & the "shareholders" will leave
their mess with their own pockets lined. Where is the community spirit
in that?

This wipes out habitat for native animals. It creates an industrial
landscape in what is a rural and residential area. It's impact will be
detrimental to wildlife, residents, visitors and school children. It
should not go ahead. There is already a significant sand mine a few km
away. This area is not suitable for a mine.

too many problems, pollution,over development, health risks. leave it
alone. it is a place of natural beauty.why ruin it?

Dear NSW Government
Please do not approve this sand mine. I'm an Airforce pilot who flies
over this vast sand area every time I land or takeoff from
Williamtown. I studied geography and geology at uni. It would have far
less environmental impact to increase the extraction from the existing
mine sites on the Stockton dunes further south (those that take
exposed sand from the ever growing sand dune front). This sand is
clean with almost zero biological or vegetative presence. It is quite
frankly a stupid decision to remove the ever diminishing plant an
animal habitat on the proposed site when none of these impact would be
felt by increasing the take on the existing mines.
Do your job government. Make a decision in the best interests of the
people and environment instead of the narrow business interests of a
select few.

I strongly oppose the proposed sand mine. The impact on an already
delicate environment would be disastrous with the loss of more native
flora and fauna, especially in light of the impact recent bushfires
have had on local koala populations and feeding grounds. The increased
number of vehicles on a road network that only contains a single way
in and out of Nelson Bay peninsula will increase traffic congestion,
may lead to an increase in the number of road accidents and with an
increase in the number of large vehicles will certainly increase
damage to road surfaces. The increase in dust particles and reduction
in air quality is an additional health risk to residents, especially
children and with the mine so close to a primary school raises
concerns regarding the health of our children. The increasing number
of heavy vehicles on the roads, increase in dust levels, reduction in
native habitat and the impact on our local koala population negates
any possible benefits (especially as sand mined will be used in other
environmentally destructive ways such as fracking) will impact
residents and may impact tourism to the area. No sand mine at Bob's
Farm!

I strongly oppose the proposed sand mine. The impact on an already
delicate environment would be disastrous with the loss of more native
flora and fauna, especially in light of the impact recent bushfires
have had on local koala populations and feeding grounds. The increased
number of vehicles on a road network that only contains a single way
in and out of Nelson Bay peninsula will increase traffic congestion,
may lead to an increase in the number of road accidents and with an
increase in the number of large vehicles will certainly increase
damage to road surfaces. The increase in dust particles and reduction
in air quality is an additional health risk to residents, especially
children and with the mine so close to a primary school raises
concerns regarding the health of our children. The increasing number
of heavy vehicles on the roads, increase in dust levels, reduction in
native habitat and the impact on our local koala population negates
any possible benefits (especially as sand mined will be used in other
environmentally destructive ways such as fracking) will impact
residents and may impact tourism to the area. No sand mine at Bob's
Farm!

Please find my objection to the proposed sand mine for Bobs Farm NSW. I
object to the sand mine in it's entirety. As a long term recreational
visitor to Stockton beach I have personally witnessed 40yrs of the
irreversable effects of sand mining there. I am very concerned about
the corporate and government greed in the Port Stephens shire with
regards to the already high number of sand mines in the area. The
proposed Bobs Farm sand mine should be to be rejected on principle
alone. Considering the current high number of total sand extraction
mines already operating in the Port Stephens area, environmental
degradation and impact to local residents any new mine should be
rejected.

I spend two hours a day driving to and from work. The majority of that
drive is spent on Nelson Bay Rd. These trucks have caused serious
damages to the roadways since the recent Mackenzie "upgrade", I have
witnessed countless incidents from reckless truck driving and have had
debris/rocks hit my windshield and damage my vehicle if I'm stuck
behind one of these trucks. Now add an extra 200 trucks per day and my
commute just got worse. That's the effect this will have on me
personally. Now let's factor in the air pollution and habitat
destruction of the additional trucks and mining, and you're looking at
something that can destroy an entire ecosystem. Sand mining has
completely changed the surrounding areas and not for the better.
That's not "progress" that this community wants or needs. It's fills
the pockets of a few while the rest of the community and environment
suffers.

I am totally against this absurd project. This, once again, demonstrates
the insatiable greed of corporates putting money before the well-being
of people and preserving the environment.

The people of Nelson's Bay should band together and fight this. There
is no time for complacency when it comes to the future of our region,
the well-being of our residents for generations to come and preserving
our pristine environment. Stop corporate greed and expose the those
behind it...

I object to the proposed sand mine on the grounds that:
*Valuable habitat for iconic wildlife such as the koala and echidna
and many bird species will be destroyed.
*many more trucks will be on the already congested Nelson Bay Road.
*Bobs Farm Public School will have to endure noise and dust
* valuable ecosystems along Marsh Road will be threatened
* the tranquil atmosphere of a wonderful tourist destination will be
in jeopardy.