Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

Wambo Coal Pty Limited2010-2011 AEMRNo202122Date & TimeReceived31/01/116.40am12/02/20118.15am16/02/201110.40pmNature of ComplaintNoiseNoiseNoise23 21/02/2011 Lighting24 25/02/2011 Noise25 27/02/2011 Noise26 5/03/2011 LightingAction Taken By Wamboin hot, dry conditions.. Investigations of real time dust monitors and weather data indicated high regionaldust.WCPL received an enquiry of excessive operational noise. Investigation concluded no unusual operationsoccurring during the period described by the community member. Noise Data Report indicated noexceedence of consent noise criteria (40dB).WCPL received an enquiry of excessive operational noise. Investigation concluded no unusual operationsoccurring during the period described by the community member. Noise Monitoring reported average LowFrequency noise levels for the night period at 35.6dB. Wind direction for the complaint period was from theSSW (complainant is due south of operation). Review of noise files indicated mine noise audible inbackground.Enquiry lodged via community enquiries line regarding excessive operational noise from Wambo. Receivedmessage next morning and contacted both CHPP and Open Cut Operation supervisors to investigatepossible excessive noise. Downloaded noise files and Met Data from Wambo weather station. No unusualoperations were occurring during the period described by complainant. Noise Monitoring Report fromSentinex 15 for the 16/02/2011 reported average Low Frequency noise levels for the night period at34.9dB. Met conditioned were unlikely to enhance noise at complainant’s house. Review of noise filesindicated mine noise audible in background. Rain from 8 -9.30pm.Community member called DoP Singleton and described light shining towards their house. DoP contactedWambo who contacted Open Cut production supervisor to re-align lights away from the communitymembers property. Follow up indicated that the community member had contacted DoP and said theoffending lights had been moved.Community member called DoP complaining of excessive operational noise (engines revving and hornsblowing) between 5am and 7am. WCPL received a complaint of excessive operational noise. Investigationsconcluded no unusual operations were occurring during the period described by complainant. NoiseMonitoring Report indicated average Low Frequency noise levels for the night period at 34.9dB. Winddirection for the complaint period was from the SE (complainant is due south of operation).Review of noisefiles indicated mine noise audible in background.Community member contacted the Wambo Community Enquiries Line at 7.57am indicating Wambooperational noise was excessive from approx 2am to 7.30am.No unusual operations were occurring during the period described by the community member. Noisemonitoring reported average Low Frequency noise levels for the night period at 38.0dB and for the dayperiod of 36.3. 15 minute average for 7.45 am was 44dB(A). Atmospheric conditions were very still andcould have enhanced noise levels at the monitor. Review of noise files indicated mine noise audible inbackground.Community member called DECCW twice regarding light shining towards house. Complained also that theWambo environmental hotline was not working.Following an investigation, we have determined that open cut personnel had mistakenly positioned aportable lighting plant in an exposed area directly north of the landholder’s residence. Although thelandholder’s residence was approximately 3.5km from the lighting plant (and the lighting plant was notdirectly facing the residence), unfortunately the position of the plant has resulted in the lighting complaint.Appendix 4: Register of Community Complaints