Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension

As a business owner with a significant investment in the township of Mudgee I feel it is very important that I lend my support to the extension of Wilpinjong.

In the last four and a half years, my business partners and I have thrown significant resources behind the economic development of Mudgee.

With our combined experience, my partners and I have identified the huge potential for growth that Mudgee has in front of it right now. Growth that other regional towns in NSW (and the rest of the country) can only ever dream of.

The extension of coal mines around Mudgee should not be taken for granted... While other coal mines around the country are contracting or even closing down, the mines around Mudgee are proving the most profitable in the country.

These are fortunate times for this town and these plans for growth and extension should be embraced by Mudgee, not rejected. Furthermore, they should be embraced by all of NSW, as we as a state, look to get our finances back in order.

It is our intention, with the confirmation of Wilpinjong's extension, to throw further, even more significant resources into Mudgee over the next ten years as we look to work with other, local and regional business owners to grow this great town.

The further commitment of such resources by us, and business owners in general, over the next decade or so is critical on the continued growth of this township. Without surety of commitment from mining companies such as Wilpinjong and the employment surety that it brings, no business owner can invest in the extension of the town without significant risks to the downside.

It is projects such as the extension of the Wilpinjong mine that are critical to Mudgee's future economic success. We have seen in recent times that the drought can have devastating effects on the local farming population and this then has flow on effects to employment within the region.

The extension of Wilpinjong gives the local population employment options. It creates diversity of industry within the region. It brings in significant investment dollars and creates further sub-industries with even more employment options and continued growth.

Mudgee has a diverse history and first grew on the back of potential gold mines, and then wool and agriculture, tourism and viticulture. We all know this and we are all proud of what a thriving and diverse community we have here. However, the continued, long term growth of the town will come from the extension of the nearby coal mines. Denying further access to some of the most efficient coal seams in the state, in fact, the country, seems, to me, nonsensical - it seems to be against the basic principle of continued growth and prosperity which we, as a township and a region, should be proud of, and aspire to.

The reality is, the whole town needs to have certainty of these coal mines long term existence and also, just as importantly, their extension to keep the local economy moving forward.
Wilpinjong's extension is a positive for Mudgee. It will create more jobs, more opportunities and greater growth.

As a business owner with a large investment in this town, I for one fully support the extension of Wilpinjong. If this extension is approved more and more people will stand to benefit from the positive flow-on effects this surety of growth and extension will bring to this town.

I believe now is the time for the town to lend its support to Wilpinjong's extension plans. To continue the growth of this great town, we must take a stand and support this extension, not just for the community of today but for generations to come.

Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission. I trust the opportunities for extension of Wilpinjong that we are presented with are not wasted - now or in the future.

It is time to continue the Mid-Western's record as one of the fastest growing regions in NSW. The extension of Wilpinjong must be approved.

I support the proposal for Wilpinjong mine as the economic benefits to the community is essential for the growth and sustainability of the region. As a worker I see first hand the effort the mine displays to protect the local environment, we of lately see stock grazing close to the mine operations with no impact on there ability to do so. the public does not see the work done on site to protect water,air and soil in and around the mine, the effort and cost is huge and there should be no reason for the approval not to be excepted.If you drive a car,turn on power and are a consumer of societies products than you rely on the continuation of these mines as it all starts from these mines to make this happen.

I wish to put forward my support for the Wilpinjong Extension Project. I do not live in the surrounding area, but visit Mudgee and surrounds frequently. I keep up with the local news through the Mudgee Guardian and often speak with staff employed at the Wilpinjong Coal Mine. I have personally seen the financial and man power support the mine gives to the local community.

I was most impressed by the mine allowing the onsite geologist and environmentalist to take part in Green Day for the local schools. A variety of soil and rock types were supplied by Wilpinjong staff and this gave the children a visual and hands on experience along with answers to their questions as they arose. The full extent of effort put into these days may not always make the headlines, but a lot of work is going on behind the scenes. These days encourage the children to know and become enthusiastic about their land and what it is made up of. Well done Wilpinjong Coal Mine for releasing your staff to help educate the local children.

I am sure that Wilpinjong Coal Mine will continue to support the local community in the varied ways they do should this extension be granted. Thank you for the opportunity to put forward my submission in regards to this application.

Our family has been able to move out of the city and raise our children in this gorgeous country side because both my husband and myself have been able to gain employment with the mines. If we weren't gainfully employed by the mines we would not be able to bring our children up in a better environment than the city we used to live in. I believe they have benefited immensely living out here. The mines also contribute so much to the Mudgee region such as co-funding the Ulan Road Strategy with the two other mines in the area. They assist in supporting community and non-government events in forms of donations, sponsorships etc. Not only does Peabody assist financially themselves they encourage their workforce to also help the community via donations, lending a hand - joining in events etc. Peabody really does encourage it's staff to be useful friendly members of the community and assist wherever we can. For those that don't live in the area they would contribute and help by renting, buying locally etc. The mine also cares for the environment in that we have a fantastic rehabilitation scheme - mines are not left big empty holes. We also monitor the noise and dust and take this very seriously. I believe that extending the life of the mine can only be of a benefit as a whole to the Mudgee community as a whole and support this application.

I would like to say that I support the Wipinjong Extension Project as it will help Mudgee continue to grow and support business within the community.

To Whom it may concern,

In writing this submission I am supporting the Wilpinjong Expansion Project.

A little about me, I have been employed at Wilpinjong for about 2.7yrs. I am married with 3 kids.
What brought me to Wilpinjong..I was previously employed by Anglo American at the Drayton Mine in Hunter Valley. I worked there for two years under a the cloud of uncertainty, that uncertainty brings with it a lot of stress on your family and those close as well as ones own well being. We all now know the ending to the Draton story - 500 jobs lost.

I saw an opportunity at Wilpinjong to continue to develop professionally whilst secure a future for my family.
After 2.5 years living apart from my family I have now relocated my family to the region with my kids attending St Matts in Mudgee, and participating in Saturday sporting teams.

Without this extension approval, it brings back the uncertainty and stress not just on myself but to the other 400 plus people who work alongside me. That uncertainty is no good for any community as I just have witnessed it first hand in Scone/Muswellbrook areas. And it is also the hundreds of contractors & local suppliers and their families that will be impacted.

As I resident of Wollar, I support this Project!

Yours Sincerely
Paul Grimes

I would like to state my support for Peabody Energy Australia's WEP. Wilpinjong Coal mine provides stable employment to myself, a local resident, and in addition to PEA community supported programs my income has a positive input into the local economy.
As a local resident and land holder my opinion is that the extension project footprint is not, and will not, impact on any prime agricultural land or native/natural environments.
I consider PEA to be a responsible and considerate miner that strongly supports the communities it interacts with.

I strongly support the Wilpinjong Extension Project.

I have personally been involved with the mine since 2007, through direct employment.

The employment offered has been positive for me, the local region, the state and the country.

I have been able to pursue a career & life style that I could not have dreamt of with my previous employers or at my previous areas of residence.

My family have made Mudgee our home.

I support Wilpinjong Extension Project because I can see how the economy of Mudgee has benefited over the years from the current operation. This will continue with the extension project.

The mine has always shown a very high standard since the construction phase with all regards to WHS, EPA and community relations. It supports a wide range of community based activities.

I am writing in support of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine's application for their extension project.

I am an employee at the mine. What I have seen over the last three years of my employment is the commitment of Wilpinjong Coal Mine to the local surrounding communities. This is shown by way of generous financial gifts to a variety of groups.

Over the last year, Wilpinjong Coal Mine has donated to various schools including Wollar Public School for their kitchen garden as part of the Live Life Well Program. On Green Day, Wilpinjong Coal Mine funded and serviced the barbeque lunch and employees ran an environmental workshop on soil. I was personally involved and Wilpinjong management had no hesitation in releasing staff to participate in the day.

Rylstone Street Festival benefited by the Wilpinjong Coal Mine contribution to the event which raises money to distribute to local charities.

Mudgee Angus Breeders Association received a donation for their annual special sale which supports the local agricultural industry.

In the sporting area, the Mudgee Wombats rugby team received a full set of jerseys for their New Zealand tour. This was highly successful with several NZ rugby players moving to Mudgee and now playing with the Wombats.

To highlight the importance of health and fitness in the community, Wilpinjong Coal Mine supported the Mudgee Tri Club running festival.

Wilpinjong Coal Mine assisted Lifeskills Plus in the construction of the new community centre, particularly landscaping the beautiful garden. This organisation provides services to people with disabilities as well as assisting their families and volunteers.

This list is just some of the groups that were supported over the past year and you can see that it includes all the surrounding areas and is encompassing of all people, from all walks of life.

My view is that Wilpinjong Coal Mine has proven to be a respected company within the local region and I have no doubt that a favourable response to their extension project would continue to see future groups benefit from generous financial donations and staff input when needed.

I appreciated the opportunity to give you my personal submission. Thank you.

We support the expansion which will create more jobs for the community.

To see Wollar completely destroyed by the mine is absolutely devastating! I spent a good 10yrs of my childhood/ teenage yrs living in the village. Lot 5 Barigan street, to be excact. I completed years 5 and 6 at Wollar public school which was wonderful. Only having 25 students at its most while I was there. I was happy to see another demountable classroom erected a few years later.

Wollar may not seem like much to people who have only ever driven through but to many its a big part of their history. To only have a memory of the village would affect a lot. I 100% DO NOT support the mine and what its proposing to do. All it is at the end of the day is someone making a buck and to me that's just not on!!

I spent many school holidays at Wollar. During my stays I helped with the rabit run, picking up rabbits trapped by farmers and taking them to the freezer at Gulgong. Most days were spent exploring the surrounding countryside and playing games. The bush dances. Playing in the tunnel on the Sandy Hollow railway line.This was a major part of my growing up. Don't take these opportunities away from our children. Give them the chance to experience this growrh. Wollar was part of my childhood and growing up. The coal mining expansion will stop these chances for our children for all time.

I believe Wilpinjong's proposal to expand into Slate Gully within 1.5 km of Wollar unnecessary and in the mines own words the death of Wollar.
Wilpinjong's original mandate was to supply coal to Bayswater power station ,and they currently can still do that. Plan modifications and this expansion are just a money grab by Peabody at the expense of not just the village and community of Wollar but the environment as a whole.
The method of this company right from the beginning was to get rid of any objections to its expansion and that included the removal of an entire community.
Coal is in decline and "thermal coal" especially. there is no need for this expansion except to profit an already declining American company ,that may not have the funds in years to come to remediate the damage it has already done.
I have seen every mine; operational, and now proposed talk up the prospects of high employment for the local community ,I am yet to see this happen in a significant way. With over 20,000 coal miners out of work in QLD the reality is that they get first preference to any jobs and the locals miss out anyway.
Living on the Goulburn Rive I have seen the natural flow of it changed and am very concerned about water quality especially after a significant rain event.
I have to cross the railway line and the ever increasing number and size of trains is a concern to me, and finally the noise ,dust and sounds of blasting from the mine are unacceptable.
Thank you for allowing me to voice my concerns ,and the hope is that this expansion will not proceed and I will still be able to enjoy my local community.

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will destroy the community of Wollar. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are highly inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in November 2015
The cumulative impact on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry has not been rigorously assessed.
The ongoing coal extraction will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas per year, which will exacerbate the impacts of climate change, and is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant landscape Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension will remove 354 ha of remnant native vegetation impacting 24 threatened species and communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave 3 final voids in the landscape that will impact the local environment and waterways for hundreds of years into the future. This is a completely unacceptable legacy.
The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
The predicted job numbers are overstated compared with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all obligations.
The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

Dear Officer

I am writing to lodge my objection to the application being made by Peabody to extend the Wilpinjong Mine. Over the past few years of spending time in the region I have made deep and lasting friendships with the people of Wollar through grape picking in the region and being involved with their campaign to save their township through arts based activities. We had a huge event on my property in April 2015 about the Wollar community that involved over twenty people from the region in performance story telling, which was attended by an audience of around 100 people. Everyone who attended became connected to the concern for the future of Wollar and were reminded that the people we elect to represent our common interests in State Government must not abrogate duty of care responsibilities to any people living across the State.

The expansion of the mine will destroy the community of Wollar. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered in any of the ongoing approvals of new mines and extensions of those that exist. Wollar's already depleted number of community members are already suffering from the trauma and stress of current mining activity, and will be forced to move from the township altogether.

Wollar's long term future is cultural, natural and agricultural tourism. The boutique economic development opportunities provided by small country towns with charm and unique historical features like Wollar are worth mentioning, especially given its location near major wine-growing and bushwalking centres. The proposed mine extension will leave three large holes in the landscape that will impact the local environment and waterways for hundreds of years into the future. This is a completely unacceptable legacy that will rule out any tourism potential. Also, the unpredictable ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will impact negatively on the broader landscape.

Please ensure that Peabody International, a company that is failing financially and is involved in an industry that is condemned worldwide by those concerned about the future of the planet, cannot do any further damage to the Australian community by wiping out the township of Wollar.

Your sincerely
Jenny Brown.

I object strongly to the expansion of the mine on the grounds that all coal mining should be stopped immediately because of its high risk consequences in climate change. This applies especially to the expansion of coal mining. Government policy should instead be supporting non-fossil fuel forms of energy generation eg wind and solar.
The application to expand should also be refused on the grounds that government policy should be to encourage decentralisation of population centres, not encourage it by destroying small country settlements that have the potential to attract people from large cities.
The third reason is that government policy should support the great mass of the people who live in the state, not give higher priority to big corporations that operate at the expense of most ordinary people, as will be so obviously the case if this extension application gets approved.

Having spent many memorable times in Wollar with the friendly locals, I am appalled that this extension, by its own admission, proposes to destroy the entire community. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
Already mining has decimated the community and any expansion of the mine will be the nail in the coffin of this once wonderful rural town.
There are so many reasons to object to this proposal but I will just mention a few:
1. The cumulative impact on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry has not been rigorously assessed.
2. The ongoing coal extraction will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas per year, which will exacerbate the impacts of climate change, and is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
3.The area has significant landscape Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
4. The extension will remove 354 ha of remnant native vegetation impacting 24 threatened species and communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
5. The extension will leave 3 final voids in the landscape that will impact the local environment and waterways for hundreds of years into the future. This is a completely unacceptable legacy.

Finally, Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all obligations. How can we trust our precious country to a company on the ropes? The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

I support the Wilpinjong Extension Project for the social and economic benefits it will deliver to the region, in the same way the operation of the line provides significant employment opportunities for local residents and their families now.

I object to the extension of the Wilpinjong mine for the following reasons:

KEY POINTS OF OBJECTION:
The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will destroy the community of Wollar. The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are highly inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in November 2015
The cumulative impact on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry has not been rigorously assessed.
The ongoing coal extraction will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas per year, which will exacerbate the impacts of climate change, and is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant landscape Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension will remove 354 ha of remnant native vegetation impacting 24 threatened species and communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave 3 final voids in the landscape that will impact the local environment and waterways for hundreds of years into the future. This is a completely unacceptable legacy.
The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
The predicted job numbers are overstated compared with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all obligations.
The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

I wish to object to the extension of the Wilpinjong coal mine in the upper Hunter. Producing low quality dirty coal at the cost of communities, water sources, aboriginal heritage, biodiversity, let alone green house gas emissions, can not be justified.
The compounding social and health costs to regional communities is unacceptable and needs further study.
Please give these communities the chance to survive and do not approve any further coal mining .