An updated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) about the proposed Rocky Hill Mine Project went on public exhibition on Wednesday, August 17.
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The EIS about establishing a new open cut coal mine in Gloucester is available for anyone to view with opportunity for the public to submit any concerns at www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=5156.
Managing director Brian Clifford of the Gloucester Resources Ltd (GRL) project has set up an information centre open Wednesdays 1pm to 6pm and Thursdays 8am to 1pm from August 24 until September 22 at 33 Church Street, Gloucester.
Amendments to the original project involve: developing and operating an open-cut coal mine to produce up to 2 million tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) coal per year for up to 21 years; constructing and operating a private coal haul road to link the Rocky Hill Coal Project with the Stratford Coal Complex, around nine kilometres south; hauling sized ROM coal on the private road between 7am and 6pm only, Monday to Saturday, using the private road to deliver heavy equipment and construction materials to the mine area rehabilitating the site.
ROM is the raw material for the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) consisting of coal, rocks, middlings, minerals and contamination.
It no longer includes: constructing and operating an on-site CHPP, constructing and operating a Rail Load-out Facility, including a rail loop and overhead loading bin to despatch the product coal to Port of Newcastle, developing a three kilometre partially-enclosed overland conveyor to link the CHPP to the Rail Load-out Facility, operating the mine during night-time hours or evening hours for the first three years.
Groundswell Gloucester urges everyone concerned to consider taking a few moments to input a submission to the Department of Planning.
Groundswell member Julie Lyford said a detailed survey by Gloucester Shire Council showed an overwhelming majority of residents had a negative attitude to this mine.
“It’s not wanted by the people. To build such a mine so close to town is appalling and must be stopped. If built, this mine would be an unsightly scar on the Gloucester landscape and present huge health and environmental risks to the residents. The proposal is simply unacceptable.”
MidCoast Council’s manager for the project Wayne Burgess said "council will be preparing a response to the Environmental Impact Statement. The project team will undertake a merit-based assessment of the documents under the relevant legislation."
Additional information on the exhibition process and links to the NSW Department of Planning's online exhibition of the proposals, please visit council's information page at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/rockyhillproposal
Copies of the proposals are available at MidCoast Council's Gloucester Office (89 King Street), Stroud Office (6 Church Lane), Taree Office (2 Pulteney Street), or Forster Office (4 Breese Parade), during normal business hours. Council has a number of USB sticks containing the exhibition documents for community use, available from these offices.