More than 13,000 submissions were received by the Department of Planning and Environment in response to the Hume Coal Project.
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Department executive director David Kitto said about 7,400 of these were in regards to the coal project and about 5,750 about the rail project.
He said more than 40 per cent of these submissions came from the Highlands.
While many have expressed concerns and objections to the proposal, there have been submissions in support of the proposal.
“The department received 288 submissions in support of the coal project and 148 in support of the rail project, mostly on economic grounds, with around half of these submissions coming from the local area,” Mr Kitto said.
About 11,400 of the submissions were form letters.
““The majority of submissions objected to the projects, raising concerns about their potential impacts on climate change, water resources and private bores, the character and amenity of the area, and the economic and social fabric of the local community.”
As well as community and individual submissions, the department also received feedback from government agencies.
These included Department of Primary Industries, WaterNSW, Environment Protection Authority, NSW Health, Office of Environment and Heritage, Division of Resources and Geoscience and Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Mr Kitto said these agencies asked for additional information on the potential impacts of the projects to be provided by Hume Coal.
Local area groups who presented submissions include Coal Free Southern Highlands, Battle for Berrima, Berrima Residents Association, Climate Action Now Wingecarribee, Exeter Village Association, and the National Trust Southern Highlands.
The Hume Coal Project proposal involves a new underground coal mine extracting up to 3.5 million tonnes of coal a year over 19 years.
The associated Berrima Rail Project involves the extension of the Berrima railway line to connect the proposed mine to the Main Southern Railway.
“Hume Coal is now required to respond to the issues raised during exhibition in a RtS. Once that is received by the department it will be published on our website,” Mr Kitto said.
“We will then undertake a thorough assessment of the project in consultation with key government agencies and independent experts, and consider the Environmental Impact Statement, all submissions and community feedback, and the RtS.”
The final decision will be made by the independent Planning Assessment Commission.
Submissions are available on the Major Projects website: www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au
