Community Information Line
Residents can contact a representative from Gloucester Coal with any questions or concerns by calling either
Gloucester Basin 1300 658 239 or Donaldson Coal 1800 111 271
Rehabilitation
The exceptionally high standard of rehabilitation undertaken at the Donaldson Open-Cut Coal Mine has set a new benchmark for best practice rehabilitation throughout the Hunter Valley.
The aim of the Mine Rehabilitation Plan is to return the bushland to better than its pre-mining condition, by increasing biodiversity.
This will be achieved by:
- The re-use the native vegetation, topsoil and fauna habitat features which were removed during clearing operations, as far as is possible.
- Topsoil redistributed according to the relevant topographical locations (ridge, slopes and drainage lines), where practicable.
- Stabilisation of the regraded soil surfaces as soon as practicable.
- Ensuring that local native species are used in the rehabilitation works throughout the rehabilitation of the mine, and that seed stock is sourced from the Donaldson site.
- The enhancement of restored vegetation to provide habitat and resources for native local fauna in the short and long-term.
- Control and removal of weed species from the rehabilitation areas.
- A detailed 'Rehabilitation Protocol' to be implemented to enhance flora and fauna habitats, during the rehabilitation of the mine disturbance area.
To help measure the success of the plan, a list of key rehabilitation success criteria has been developed and a comprehensive monitoring program is underway. In addition, an annual study monitoring the re-colonisation of animals within the rehabilitated areas has also been commissioned.
Donaldson is utilising baseline information collected each year from nine monitoring sites located around the mine since 2001.
To date the mine has revegetated over 120 hectares.
All rehabilitation areas studied are showing positive signs of recolonisation by a variety of species. Thirteen new species (two mammals, nine birds and two reptiles) were recorded in the 2008 survey period, with an additional nine new species (two mammals and seven birds) recorded during the December 2009 survey period.
