Moolarben Coal Operations (Yancoal Pty Ltd) recently in the Land and Environment Court (9 July 2010) for a number of pollution events of the Goulburn River. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) provided evidence that extensive clearing and earthworks on the site of the Moolarben coal project did not have adequate sediment and erosion controls as required under their Conditions of Approval.

The offical opening of Moolarben Coal Operations on 2 August 2010 will be attended by the Minister for Planning - Hon. Tony Kelly

MCP Stage 2 is currently being assessed by Dept Planning.

Ulan Coal Mine (Xstrata) has applied for an increase in coal production to 20MT/annum & 21 year lease.
Ulan Coal Mine Continued Operations Application Number: 08_0184

This project is not consistent with the principles of Ecological Sustainable Development and is the fourth major coal mine expansion proposal in the Mudgee (Ulan-Wollar) area in four years. If all are approved 42.5 million tonnes of coal will be produced in the area annually. This is a major cumulative increase of global greenhouse gas emissions.

1. The project aims to increase Ulan Coal Mine production up to 20 million tonnes per year for 21 years. Predicted total coal production will be 287Mt. This will produce 552Mt CO2e or 96% emissions produced by Australia in 2006.
2. The longwall mine expansion will cross under the Great Dividing Range impacting on the headwaters of both the Hunter River catchment & Macquarie River catchment (Murray-Darling Basin).
3. Modelling suggests the recovery of the regional groundwater system will take in excess of 200 years!
4. Includes clearing of 408 has of native vegetation
5. Cumulative impacts on the local community through increased traffic & train movements, noise, dust, low frequency vibration, loss of neighbours and community cohesion have not been adequately identified or addressed.
6. The planned remediation of the Goulburn River diversion is commended but should be undertaken regardless of this approval process.

Moolarben Mega Coal Mine
Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 2 :

Moolarben Stage 1 was approved in September 2007. Felix Resources have now applied for Stage 2 and a modification of Stage 1 infrastructure.

If approved this will create a mega mine producing 17 million tonnes of new coal per year for 24 years

• The unsustainable extraction of groundwater and interference to aquifer and river system due to mine subsidence, dewatering and on site water use.
  
• The removal of a total of 851 ha of remnant native vegetation
  Includes 157 ha of CEEC (Critically Endangered Ecological Communities) that provides habitat to a range of threatened woodland birds including Regent and Painted Honeyeaters, Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail (referred under EPBC Act)
  
• Removal of over 11 km of creek habitat in the Murragamba Creek (also rated as significant cultural landscape) and Eastern Creek valleys including two groundwater dependant ecosystems (GDEs).
  
• Removal of five Aboriginal heritage sites of high significance and 16 sites of medium significance. An additional two Aboriginal heritage sites of high significance and seven sites of medium significance will be disturbed. Underground 2 surrounds a significant site in a 100m cliff line (C7 - Site ID S2MC236) containing numerous artworks - hand stencils, animal tracks and animal motifs. The mine has provided only a 55 metre buffer area to protect this area from subsidence.
  
• Cumulative impacts MCM will inflict on this catchment deserve serious offsets and protective measures around important natural and cultural features that are valued by society. There is wide spread support for the inclusion of the Goulburn River Drip Gorge, riparian area and adjacent escarpments into the Goulburn River National Park. This area has multiple values (cultural, scenic, educational, tourism and now a Brett Whitley Mural) and is of national significance. It is also supports a sensitive and connected groundwater system that is poorly understood.
  

This iconic place is priceless and should be granted maximum protection from mining
under the Goulburn River National Park