Production from the Bowens Road North satellite pit to Stratford Mine continued. Key environmental issues included:

• a single blast recorded overpressure above the lower trigger limit of 115 dB, however an allowance for up to 5% of all blasts in the 115dB to 120dB range resulted in compliance with Development Consent conditions for the year.
• while compliance for noise under favourable and/or neutral weather conditions has been largely achieved at all attended monitoring locations, exceedences were recorded under non-favourable weather conditions (temperature inversions, prevailing winds, etc).
• Stratford and Bowens Road North operations were measured as operating within all of its environmental monitoring criteria other than for noise (see above).
• traffic and road surface management for the crossing of the Bowens Road North Haul Road over a public road, continues. The Management Plan is reviewed and updated as necessary in consolation with the community and authorities.

Three areas of self heating of carbonaceous material associated with detached and broken strata in the wall of the Stratford Main Deposit (ceased mining in 2003) continued to be managed in consultation with Department of Primary Industries DPI and DEC.

Rehabilitation works continued during 2004:

• waste dumps associated with the former Stratford Main Deposit were shaped, topsoiled and revegetated completing their rehabilitation.
• rehabilitation of the Roseville void reject emplacement area was commenced with significant progress in the capillary break layer and clay capping achieved.
• a reject emplacement area adjacent to the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant was successfully backfilled and to capped to natural ground level.

Department of Planning Infrastructure and Natural Resources (DIPNR) carried out an audit of the Stratford and Bowens Road North operations against the Development Consents. The audit report identified a number of non compliances and established a schedule for addressing the various issues. GCL is working with DIPNR to ensure that all matters are resolved.

A total of 34 complaints were recorded during the year.

• 29 related to noise (21 from one household which is included in specific Development Consent Conditions as being within the noise affectation zone)
• 4 related to self heatings
• 1 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.

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
Telephone 016 302 013