Gloucester Coal Ltd

Stratford/Bowens Rd North Environmental Management

Production from the Bowens Road North and Roseville Extension pits continued over the 2008/09 period. Key environmental issues for the 2008/09 reporting period included:

  • Dust suppression measures are in place. Dust monitoring to date (dust deposition gauges and high volume (PM(10) air samplers) shows that current dust suppression systems are effective and dust levels are generally below DECC limits. One exceedance of DECC and NHMRC limits for high volume sampling (PM10 and TSP) occurred at HVD2 (Craven) on the 16th April 2009 due to a dust storm event.
  • Quarterly noise compliance monitoring was carried during September 2008, December 2008, March 2009 and June 2009. Full daytime, evening and night time noise compliance was achieved for all noise surveys.
Rehabilitation works continued during 2008/09:

Rehabilitation continued throughout the period with 17.8 ha of topsoiling and seeding conducted on BRN backfill and Roseville waste dump.

Additional areas were fenced along the Bucketts Way adjacent to Craven village, and 1800 trees planted to create, and enhance existing, visual screening of the operations. A further 900 trees were planted in the wildlife corridor designed to link remanent vegetation areas.

A total of 26 complaints were received during the reporting period. This compares with 14 complaints 2007/08, 17 complaints 2006/07, 19 complaints 2005/6, 41 complaints 2004/05, 36 complaints in 2003/04, 41 complaints in 2002/03, 40 complaints 2001/02 and 45 complaints in 2000/01.

Of the 26 complaints:
  • 23 related to noise
  • 3 related to blasting
GCL responds to all complaints and manages all identified issues through:
  • investigating the causes and circumstances giving rise to the complaint
  • review of possible mitigative measures
  • discussion with and provision of technical information to the complainant
  • attempting to resolve issues with the complainant through direct negotiation or the various provisions of the Development Consent
  • communications with the Community Consultative Committee and government agencies.

Environment Officer

Gloucester Coal Pty Ltd
PO BOX 137
CHATSWOOD NSW 2057
Telephone (02) 9413 2028
Facsimile (02) 9413 4802
Email environment@gloucestercoal.com.au

Complaints:

Stratford Operations:
PO BOX 168
GLOUCESTER NSW 2422