July 31, 2012

Coalpac Consolidation Unacceptable



Authority says Coalpac’s proposal too noisy for residents
After carefully reviewing documents, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has stated it cannot
support the Coalpac Consolidation Project, proposed by Coalpac Pty Ltd, due to the unacceptable
noise impacts it will have upon residents.
The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure called on the EPA to review the related
Environmental Assessment for the Project and stated within its submission:
(the EPA) cannot support the project as is currently proposed for the following reason:
1. The EPA considers that the potential for unacceptable noise impacts upon both rural
residents and the residents of Cullen Bullen is too great based on the assumptions in the noise
modelling of the proposed 24 hours a day/7 days a week operations.
“Cullen Bullen residents have been repeatedly told by Coalpac Pty Ltd that it holds the interests of the
residents in the highest regard and yet has laid down a proposal that threatens their livelihood,” says
Justin McKee for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society.
The EPA’s submission also noted:
Even with all the extensive noise mitigation in place the noise modelling predicts adverse
impacts at 9 locations during the day and 36 residential receivers at night.
“Coalpac ashamedly told residents in a public meeting earlier this year that their lifestyle would not be
compromised and this project was good for the town.”
In further outlining its position, the EPA wrote:
The EPA has concerns with the proponent’s commitment and ability to fully and effectively
implement the required noise mitigation measures based on previous experience at the site.
“Coalpac Pty Ltd has a history of being unreliable on mitigating noise issues in the past. It is
encouraging to see the EPA standing firm against repeat offenders within the mining industry.”
The cost implications for the presented mitigation (Section 4.4) would be extensive; no cost
estimates and no timetable have been put forward for mitigation implementation.
“The owners of Coalpac have been trying to sell the company since October 2010. The sale would be
gigantically more profitable if this project is approved. Comments from the EPA highlight that Coalpac’s
focus is on profit and not the lives of people living in Cullen Bullen,” concludes Mr McKee.
Media Contacts: Justin McKee 0404 824 020 Link to EPA submission: http://bit.ly/NZPjaR

July 2, 2012

HOW DIRTY IS YOUR COAL MINE?

Forget the Carbon Tax and the family roast, the Association recently got out the calculator to find out  what impact the Charbon Coal Mine is having on our atmosphere.

Charbon is an apt name for this carbon polluter -a high altitude mine located between Kandos and the tiny town of Clandulla on the western side of the Great Dividing Range. It was established over 50 years ago to fuel the local cement works but has now expanded greatly, producing 1.3 million tonnes of coal each year. Most of this is sent by train to Port Kembla for export to Asia.

When combusted, this releases 3.12 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere which is the equivalent of adding just over 2 million new cars to the roads!

If you add all the diesel fuel they use to dig up the coal, that's a lot of greenhouse gas pollution.

Now Centennial Coal will have to pay a tiny percentage of their profits to the government for the privilege of fouling our airways. It's doubtful that this will be a disincentive for them but whichever way, we are the ones who pay with a degraded environment.


drax power plant

July 1, 2012

Cobbora Mine Public Meeting

The proposed Cobbora mine has major impacts on water supply to the Mudgee region. Possible coal trains are another big concern. If you want to find out more about these issues come to the meeting this Thursday 5th July.