Wilpinjong Coal Mine Extension

As an active member of the Australian Plants Society NSW who recognises and is committed to protecting our unique natural environment, I am writing to object to the extension of Wilpinjong Mine.

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

Apart from vegetation impacts, other negative impacts include the cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects, noise impacts, air quality impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts and groundwater impacts.

The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

I oppose the extension of Wilpinjong Mine. Below are some of the reasons for my objection:

The dust and noise from the mine extension will make the village of Wollar unliveable.

I am informed that air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.

The extension will remove 354 hectares of native vegetation and have an impact on 24 threatened species.

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

The mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year, exacerbating the impacts of climate change.

The Hunter region needs to starts transitioning away from coal mining to create employment for current and future generations. The time to do this is now. Coal has had its day. Any new approvals demonstrate a lack of responsible process.

I am horrified that this application is even being considered let alone the implications should it be approved.

The people of Wollar have two options neither of which are justifiable in anyone's eyes. They can stay and live with the heavily polluted consequences or they can move. Considering their homes will be close to worthless, option two is not really an option is it? Option one is not really an option either.

Wind down the coal mining industry now. This is short term thinking with major ramifications over the longer term. The Hunter Valley was once a place where I would visit many years ago. The place is now dirty and stinks and I will never again consider it a tourist destination.

If you want to leave a legacy for your children and their children and so on, say NO to the expansion.

1. Coal fired power stations are being phased out around the world as the world moves to a cleaner, renewable energy source.
2. Why then would you consider approving the expansion of this coal mine.
3.The extension of the Wilpinjong Mine will impact on the small village of Wollar and make it unlivable.
4.Noise assessment, population loss, air quality, would have a devastating social impact on the community.
5.The removal of 354 hectares of remnant native vegetation will impact on 24 threatened species and ecological communities which is more than the current approval.
6.The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, water resources and the projected greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on the community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
7. This mine will produce an additional 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year. This is against the Paris accord!
8. This extension removes the existing buffer zones from the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
9.The damage that will be done by this proposed mine extension will damage the landscape and waterways for hundreds of years.
10.Impacts on ground water and surface water is in itself reason not to proceed with this extension.
11.Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and therefore may not be fit to meet all of its ongoing obligations, especially for environmental concerns and the remediation of the site at end of mines life.
12.AGL's Bayswater Power Station is guaranteed supply from existing current approval.
13.In accordance with Australia's obligation to lower Green House gas emissions this mine is totally not justified.
14. Instead this proposal should be rejected, the Government should be focusing on a cleaner greener renewable future for the State.

IT IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE TO EXTEND THIS MINE IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION, KNOWING THE EXTREME DAMAGE WHICH COAL MINING AND BURNING CAUSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT. SPECIFICALLY, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO 'BELIEVABLE', STRATEGY [OH, SORRY, WE CANNOT REINSTATE THE MINE, WE HAVE SUDDENLY GONE BANKRUPT, MANAGED TO PAY OUT ALL THE DIRECTOR'S ENTITLEMENTS THOUGH] FOR RESTORING THE MINE AREA TO THE PRISTINE CONDITION WHICH APPLIED PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF MINING. I HAVE LIVED ALL MY LIFE IN THE HUNTER VALLEY AND AM APPALLED WHENEVER I GO THERE NOW, NOT LEAST BY THE "DIRTY' LOOK OF EVERYTHING IN THE LANDSCAPE, COMPARED TO THE WAY IT WAS WHEN I WAS A YOUTH THERE.

I strongly object to further mining expansion which will adversely impact residents, endangered wildlife, native vegetation and will also pose a threat to water supply. It is unconscionable to extend this destructive mine when other supplies are available to meet requirements.

It seems obvious to me that coal energy is incompatible with human survival and should be phased out.
Every effort and expense needs to be directed to establish solar and wind as energy sources.
The financial interests of the coal industry and its backers must be ignored, if we are serious about our future.

The decision in favour of green energy is critical for humanity at this time. This will become obvious soon enough but then it may be too late to salvage the planet's life.

*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 am concerned about many aspects to the application for the the extension of the mine. It seems obvious that there will be a huge social impact on the village of Woller. Th e noise assessment is unrealistic. The air quality will suffer. The native vegetation and species are under threat. The cultural heritage has been ignored. The coal is low grade and the job numbers are inflated. What could possibly be the benefit to our society?
I make the application that the submission for the mine extension to be refused.

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 Nature Conservation Council makes these points in relation to the project:

(1) The extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable.
(2) The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.
(3) The noise assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures are totally inadequate.
(4) Air quality has not been assessed against the new standards adopted in December 2015.
(5) 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.
(6) The cumulative impacts on biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water sources, greenhouse gas emissions, community and rural industry have not been rigorously assessed.
(7) 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.
(8) The area has significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values that have not been assessed in a regional context.
(9) The extension removes existing buffer zones for the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
(10) The extension will leave three final voids that will permanently scar the landscape and harm waterways for hundreds of years.
(11) The ongoing impacts on groundwater and surface water systems will be greater than predicted.
(12) The predicted job numbers are overstated compared, with the current workforce extracting the same volume of coal.
(13) Peabody Energy is in deep financial distress and may not be fit to meet all its obligations.
(14) The contract to supply AGL's Bayswater Power Station can be met by the current approval.
(15) The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.

If only a few of these are accurate then it would be a travesty for the mine expansion to proceed. It must be evident by now to everyone that we cannot afford to permit new coal mines in a time of global warming. But my favourite of the 15 reasons for objecting is probably the first: how can we sacrifice a village for more coal mining?

Please, stop this coalmine that is going to adversely affect the little town of Wollar.
No more coal mines, please.
Let us think about the people and the environment, for once.
It is time.

I am disappointed to hear that coal company Peabody is planning to expand its Wilpinjong mine closer to the village of Wollar. I object to this proposal.

This mine will produce an additional 20 million tons of greenhouse gases a year and what for? Coal is in decline and there is plenty to supply its customers in the existing mine.

This extension will make the village of Wollar unliveable due to dust and noise - as is happening to villages and homes throughout the Hunter Valley. It will also remove over 300 hectares of native vegetation and impact over 20 threatened species and ecological communities. Will the biodiversity offsets be enough to compensate? I think not.

Sooner or later this government has to understand that the damage being caused by mining low quality coal while doing irreversible environmental damage can no longer be justified.
David Palmer
Ingleside

I wish to ask some questions about the proposed extensions to the coal mine at Wollar. I expect you will be able to answer them all without difficulty.

1. How do you plan to deal with local waterways so that they will be totally safe? What about existing surface water, and groundwater?
2. What plans do you have for protecting threatened ecological communities and local species?
3. I assume you have consulted the local Aboriginal people? No doubt their heritage and cultural concerns are at the top of your list of things to consider with great care and compassion.
4. In December 2015 new standards of air quality were adopted. How have you addressed these standards?
5. How are you planning to measure and deal with noise? And how will you keep on measuring it and reducing it?
6. How do you propose to deal with the expected 20m tonnes of greenhouse gases that you will send into the atmosphere?
7. Is the coal you intend to extract in this ares of top quality? If not, there is no good reason to extract it.

I submit my queries with the expectation that they will be carefully answered.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Colman

There can be no justification for ruining the lives of others for the sake of profits. Coalmining in the 21 century should be coming to an end - not expanding.

I object to the expansion of this coal mine as there is more than enough dirty coal mines in NSW to last a lifetime and beyond
The damage this extension will do to the local villages, wildlife and environment is just not acceptable any more especially when we are trying to move to cleaner energy sources.
Even nuclear power would be lot better option than more and more coal mines and coal fired power stations.
Lets draw the line on this extension.
Thank you

Dear Planning & Environment Dept (PED),
I am a bit bemused and confused that this proposal has made it this far. Most countries including Australia signed the accord at COP 21, the Paris Global Warming meeting where we agreed that we need to keep global climate from rising 2C! So why is the Planning & Environment Dept even entertaining this proposal? The reason all the petroleum companies have taken such a hit on the stock market is that others are di-vesting from fossil fuels. Look at Peabody, a blue chip company that is now in dire financial straits. Australia needs to reduce our dependence on coal if we want to meet our commitment to COP21!
Does Australia want to be a pariah (which Abbott continued to conjure up while PM!)? Or do we commit to a socially, environmentally and ethically responsible mandate and live up to our bargain and KEEP IT IN THE GROUND!
If we don't want to be a pariah then we have to reject all future coal mine development projects! Coal is DIRTY! Solar and efficiency is CLEAN.
Peabody should seek higher moral ground by doing the right thing and KEEPING IT IN THE GROUND! Not expanding DIRTY COAL to within 1.5 kilometres of the small village of Wollar. This will have a detrimental effect on their local environment, schools and health. If the Planning & Environment Dept is really doing their job then they would deny this submission by Peabody and tell them to keep it in the GROUND!

* 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 extension of Wilpinjong Mine will make the village of Wollar unlivable. 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 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 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 extension of the mine on these grounds:

The cumulative social impact of loss of population through mining projects from Ulan to Bylong has not been considered.

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

The proposal to continue extracting low quality coal while causing irreversible environmental and social damage cannot be justified.