MINE INFORMATION

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• The extraction is part of a major water supply catchment.

• It is directly under water supply streams and infrastructure.

• There is currently a critical water supply situation and water restrictions on the Central Coast.

• Potential for interruption to supply.

• Disruption of aquifers feeding water supply streams. It is directly beneath the major water flow-through of the underground aquifers. The water supply streams are approximately two-thirds fed by these aquifers.

• Water quality may be impacted.

• Significant dependence on Groundwater by residents and agriculture in the extraction area and by Central Coast residences as a substantial harvesting area for the suburban water supply.

SUBSIDENCE

Concerns
 

• See previous list above.

• Potential environmental impact on:
   Wetlands.
  * Cliff/formation subsidence.
  * Tree root impacts leading to dieback.
  * Vegetation and eco-systems.
  * Stream morphology and erosion and sedimentation processes.

• Potential for structural damage to water supply infrastructure, such as weirs.
  * Wyong weir, the Mardi pump-pool and the proposed Porter’s Creek weir project are all within the horizontal subsidence zone.
  * Jilliby Jilliby Creek is directly above the proposed mine.
  * Wyong River and Wyong Creek are within the horizontal subsidence zone.
  * Possible loss of 50% of drinking water catchment. (The Dooralong and Yarramalong Valleys account for approximately 50% of the water catchment area for the entire Central Coast.)

FLORA AND FAUNA IMPACTS

• Mining is a "key threatening process" for the extensive vegetation communities in the region that includes many threatened species.
• There are likely impacts arising on:
  * Wetlands.
  * Corridors.
  * Threatened species and habitats
• The development is likely to have far reaching impacts on vegetation beyond the immediate area of the mine head and stock piles, eg. the complete rail loop, introduction of Phytophthora.
• A likelihood of pollution in Tuggerah Lakes, which would cause an unacceptable loss of its biodiversity.
• Unacceptable loss of the biodiversity of the two valleys and the pristine nature of the environment.
• Potential destruction of the two major riparian corridors.

SOCIAL IMPACT AND HEALTH

Social Impact
 

• A development of this scale has significant impacts on local training, community facilities and services, housing, schools, etc.
• It significantly increases demands on social/cultural/recreational services.
• Coal loader will be built adjacent to the largest growing urban area on the Central Coast, including the planned new city of Warnervale.

• Potential for significant stack emissions.
• Potential for dust generation throughout construction and operation of the project including along the entire rail corridor.
• The potential for release of methane gas despite programs to extract it in advance of mining operations.

Health
 

• Problems associated with coal dust (respiratory and skin disease) being transported on the wind. (The Central Coast already has the highest incident of respiratory ailments in Australia due to the proximity of the power stations).

Noise and Vibration

• There is significant potential for generation of noise and vibration arising from construction, operation and coal transport.
• This is occurring in a quiet rural setting and adjacent to the largest growing urban area on the Central Coast.
• Potential for noise and vibration impacts on local fauna.

• Local creeks flood rapidly.
• There is generally poor access for residences in the area of proposed extraction.
• There is the likelihood of increased flooding for some properties due to subsidence.

Concerns
 

• The Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council is a major land owner in what appears to be the rail corridor.
• There are areas of archaeological interest potentially impacted by the proposal.
• The proposals will significantly interrupt the natural landscapes and features of significance to Aboriginal culture.

• The collective effect of small impacts which individually may be acceptable could well prove to be unacceptable.

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