Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension

The mine should not be expanded because it will contribute to greenhouse emissions.
Plus no foreign or domestic company should be allowed to destroy the amenity of a local community for the sake of profits.

The Government needs to clean up its act and work for the long-term interests of the people of NSW, not the short-term profits of the corporate world. Insanity and destruction should not be the preferred route.

I am opposed to the Wilpinjong Extension Project on two grounds.

I believe it is short sighted and foolish in the extreme to extend any coal mining in New South Wales given what is known about the impact of the use of fossil fuels on climate change. Australia has signed up to the Paris Agreement and any additional coal mining undermines the achievement of our binding Greenhouse Gas Reduction targets.

I am also opposed to this development on the basis of its negative impacts on the village of Wollar.

Do not approve this mine extension.

I wish to object to the Wilpinjong extension project. Those residing in this region will be negatively affected both Physically & Psychologically by this expansion. A plethora of research & studies exist citing the adverse health & environmental impacts from coal mines. Our world is warming & evidence suggests fossil fuels are the main contributor. Coal needs to be phased out & clean energy infrastructure need to be established, before dire consequences occur.
Sincerely,
Meg Bray.

I submit that the proposed extension to the Wilpinjong coal mine should not be permitted.

This mine already impacts on the population of Wollar. If extended it will seriously affect this small community which needs to be protected and not exposed to more environmental degradation.

The mine is located between the Goulburn River National Park and the Munghorn Nature Reserve, both areas of environmental importance that deserve protection from the damaging consequences of open cut coal mining.

An extension of this mine is unacceptable on both social and environmental grounds.
Yours,
Rosie White

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable; 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 totally inadequate; Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.; The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval; The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater; The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed; The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord; The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context; The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years; 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 its 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.

The Wilpinjon Extension Project is another proposal to abuse and denigrate the health and living environment of people and existing towns and communities, just for the greedy, polluting dollars of the mining giants and government.

Not only will the residents of this pristine part of NSW be subjected to dirt, dust, noise, but this proposal will destroy over 350 hectares very important habitat for up to 24 threatened species, cause damage to our underground and surface water resources, and affect Aboriginal cultural sites.

When are we going to say STOP this madness. It is also possible that the ability of Peabody Energy to even have the resources to "rectify the site" is in great doubt.

We should be aiming our energy investment to renewable energy sources and realise that we just cannot keep destroying, killing, and polluting as if nothing will happen.

What has been done to date with coal mining is an absolute disgrace and what will happen in the future if we don't stop now?

* The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable. The dust and noise for local residents will be unbearable, and the harm to our climate from more polluting coal is unacceptable.
* 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 totally inadequate.
* Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
* The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
* The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
* The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
* The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
* The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
* The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
* 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 its 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.

FIFO Mining companies do not create communities or social interaction.Do not employ local labour. Do not produce food. Use valuable water. Contaminate air and water. Do not post sufficient bonds for cleanup. Cripple local economies. Are currently a BAD investment, so why dig it up now?
Time to consider human worth and not shareholders profits - and losses. There are enough coal mines, without adding to the toll. Leave it in the ground for the future. Renewables are the way of the future - invest in the future, not the past.

I am writing to ask you to please refuse the proposed extension of the mine at Wilpinjong. It places an undue burden on nearby residents, apparently already suffering from dust and noise pollution. Also, what of it's impact on the nearby Nature Reserve and National Park?
More broadly, by allowing the mining of coal we are directly contributing to the release of greenhouse gases which increase global warming. When is this reliance on old outdated technology going to stop? When we've destroyed every inch of farmland? Used up all our water? Will the owners of this mine actually complete the remediation they have presumably agreed to? Given that many mining companies walk away.... leaving vast, open pits behind? Australia is littered with them. When does it all stop?

It is time to stop this environmental vandalism so please start with Wilpinjong.

We do not need more coal mines in NSW. We certainly don't need them at the expense of local towns, agriculture and our remaining remnant native vegetation.

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
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 totally inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
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 its 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.

LEAVE THE COAL IN THE GROUND!!!
Jane

I am opposed to the extension of Wilpinjong Mine for the following reasons:
The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
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 totally inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
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 its 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.

It's time to stop destroying the valley and move to renewable energy. Time for a smart Australia, not one that just keeps digging up the land

For a start it is ludicrous that in 2016 anyone would be wanting to build or extend a coal mine. Sheer lunacy and will likely be responsible for much death and illness for future generations. Also to extend a mine at this location is madness. The whole area is a crucial part of a mapped north south and east west climate change corridor. (OEH, 2007). The mine extension should be stopped and the mine gradually closed for the following reasons:-
* The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
* 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 totally inadequate.
* Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
* The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
* The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
* The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
* The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
* The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
* The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
* 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 its 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.

Frustrated that successive governments and bureaucrats manage this land like pirates and robber barons.

Kevin Taylor

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.

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 totally inadequate.

Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.

The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval.
The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.

The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.

The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.

The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.

The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.

The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.

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 its 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.

Coal as an energy paradigm has gone past it's use by date.

The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
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 totally inadequate.
Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.
The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
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 its 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 object to the expansion of the coal mines that affect Wollar near Mudgee.
I was at Mudgee recently showing overseas visitors this beautiful region that should be developed and preserved not roped up for short term profit and gain.
Furthermore I am very concerned about rising global temperatures contributing to climate change and believe we must not develop new coal mines or expand existing mines.

I am shocked that you would even consider this application .
One can see gigantic excavations everywhere that coal has been mined and where there will be ongoing lack of rehabilitation. This company is in deep financial trouble and has NO chance of rehabilitating the mine site when it has taken away all its coal.
Please refuse the license to extract.
David Hart

Dear Sirs

I am very concerned about the Wilpinjong Extension Project because of its immense impact on the village Wollar, which will be only 1.5 kilometres from the expansion zone. The dust and noise for local residents will be unbearable and will impact their health. The air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015. The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.

The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered. Further to this is the harm that will be caused to our climate from more polluting coal not to mention the rest of the world. The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. This is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Accord.

Even though coal company Peabody is in dire financial straits, it is pushing ahead with plans to expand its Wilpinjong mine ever closer to the community. This is a concern from a couple of view points. One is that the mine may be laid waste through lack of funds and the second is that there will not be funds available to clean up the mine site and restore the area to something resembling an acceptable state. It will also leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.

The extension will remove 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities - more than the current approval. The biodiversity offsets will not provide sufficient habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.

The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.

The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval. This power station should be on the list for transfer to renewable energy as soon as practicable so that extracting low quality coal, which is causing irreversible environmental and social damage, can be mitigated.

Yours faithfully

Felicity Crombach

Please do not let more coal mines go ahead