Metropolitan Coal Project Independent ... - Peabody Energy

METROPOLITAN COAL PROJECT INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT
Inspections of sandstone platforms/outcrops around the sites for cracking;
Inspections of each discrete grinding groove/petroglyph to assess deterioration since the
previous monitoring and against the baseline record;
Baseline subsidence monitoring at set locations (using a portable GPS unit to millimetres)
around and within each site;
Detailed description and quantification of any changes noted during the completion of the
above tasks; and
A photographic record of any changes noted during monitoring.
The monitoring results are used to assess the Aboriginal sites against the Aboriginal heritage
subsidence impact performance measure (Project Approval Schedule 3 condition 1) – “Less than 10%
of Aboriginal heritage sites within the mining area are affected by subsidence impacts”. Sites are
considered to be “affected by subsidence impacts” if they exhibit one or more of the following
consequences that cannot be attributed to natural weathering or deterioration:
Overhang collapse;
Cracking of sandstone that coincides with Aboriginal art or grinding grooves; and
Rock fall that damages Aboriginal art.
The Heritage Management Plan (Appendix 2) Subsidence Impact Register is used to progressively
monitor the cumulative number and percentage of Aboriginal heritage sites affected by subsidence
impacts.
In the 2010 and 2011 period monitoring of Aboriginal heritage sites, two affected sites were identified:
FRC 12 - weathering to the Darmulan engraving was observed during the 2010 survey. This
weathering effect did not appear to have deteriorated in the 2011 monitoring survey.
FRC 139 showed a significant level of cracking of the rock platform during the 2011 site
monitoring survey.
All other Aboriginal heritage sites surveyed/monitored during 2011 (14 sites) did not show any
changes/deterioration.
4.10.6 Non-Aboriginal Heritage
Metropolitan Colliery is recognised as Australia’s oldest continually operating coal mine, having
commenced mining operations in the late 1800’s and Metropolitan Colliery is listed as a place on the
NSW State Heritage Inventory (SHI), under the category of Mining & Processing.
(Approximately 30 heritage items listed in the State Heritage Inventory are situated in close proximity
to Metropolitan Coal, including 26 items situated in the Helensburgh township. The heritage items in
Helensburgh primarily relate to historic coal mining and the development of the railway through the
area).
Site Heritage Management Progress
A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was prepared during 2009. The Conservation Management
Plan provides an inventory of the listed heritage items on site and management strategies. The more
significant individual items located on the mine premises are:
Abandoned rail tunnels;
No. 1 shaft head frame;
Koeppe winder;
Powerhouse building;
Old power pylon;
Bath house;
Brick railway viaduct; and
Brick culverts.
Conclusion:
The conservation strategies and monitoring programs for identified heritage items and sites
associated with the Metropolitan Coal development area appear to provide adequate management for
the protection of the heritage items.
27 trevor brown & associates
applied environmental management consultants
aemc