Hunter Valley Field Trip Analysis - Case Study Example

Hunter Valley Field Trip Report Name University Course Tutor Date Hunter Valley Field Trip Report Executive Summary The Hunter Valley Field Trip Report has the objective of advising the NSW state government on the viability and sustainability of the proposed mining project. Ideally, sustainability and viability of the project are significantly determined by the costs of running the mine and its effect on the environment. The sustainability of the project also ought to be assessed on its effect on other economic activities taking place at the Hunter Valley. The mine has a capacity of producing 6 million tones annually; it is also proposed that most of the black coal from this mine will be for export via the Newcastle port. Vehicles are expected to access the mine from both the west and the south. The other most significant activities are inclusive of winemaking, breeding, and farming. The proposed project can be said to produce sustainable amount of coal rated at 6 million tonnes annually. Indeed, this is adequate amount to call for the expansion of both road and rail transportation channels. Ideally, the project is viable but it is highly recommended for the NSW government to take a number of actions in order to ensure its sustainability. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Various land uses and industries in the local area 5 A recommendation on how this proposed mine may relate to the concept of sustainability 6 Factors to be considered 9 A recommendation for NSW government action 10 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction As per the proposal of Gundy Coal (GC) Ltd., an open cut mine ought to be opened on the site of Arrowfield Stud which is east of Scone1. According to the proposal, the mine has a capacity of producing 6 million tones annually; it is also proposed that most of the black coal from this mine will be for export via the Newcastle port. Vehicles are expected to access the mine from both the west and the south; this has the implication that the Gundy Road ought to be widened from the New England Highway, where else, the Segenhoe Road ought to be widened from north of Aberdeen2. There is a proposal for rail connection through a spur line north of Aberdeen; in addition, the proposal has it that the spur line will be parallel to the Segenhoe Road. Prior to its commencement, there have been a number of concerns, on the sustainability of the proposed project. Notably, in the recent past, the parliament and the media have demonstrated great focus on the Hunter Valley mine expansion. _______________ 1 McManus, P. Environmental Regulation, in TheInternational Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Elsevier, 2009, pp.546‐552. 2 Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Upper Hunter Cumulative Impact Study and Action Strategy, New South Wales Government,1997. Ideally, there are calls for the protection of mining jobs considering that the Hunter Valley is home for other industries. Therefore, the increased focus on mining could have the implication of the protection of mining jobs at the expense of other industries. However, it is worth noting that such other industries as winemaking, farming, and horse breeding have proved sustainability thus the question now is whether the proposed Hunter Valley will be sustainable. Various land uses and industries in the local area In the course of the implementation of the proposed project, the government ought to put into consideration its environmental friendliness, with respect to the other land uses. The Hunter Valley has other land uses apart from mining. The other most significant activities are inclusive of winemaking, breeding, and farming. The essence of the horse industry is evident is evident from the Hunter Valley Field Trip. Indeed, it was found out, from the field trip, that the horse breeders are thorough, organized in a group, and wealthy. This is substantial illustration that there has been intensive horse breeding taking place at the Hunter Valley Field3. Farming is also practised at the valley as illustrated by the Edinglassie Stud; its access to the Hunter River has provided the residents with 500 acres of fertile pastures that are normally irrigated4. As a result, there is plenty of spacious safe grazing and clean healthy pastures available for young stock. _________________ 3 McManus, P. Environmental Regulation, in TheInternational Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Elsevier, 2009, pp.546‐552. 4 Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Upper Hunter Cumulative Impact Study and Action Strategy, New South Wales Government,1997. Wine making also a significant activity carried out at the Hunter Valley. The fieldtrip to the valley revealed a number of vineyards which are thought to be competing environmentally with the mines. It has, however, been noted that, with comprehensive management, the mines have limited impacts on the vineyards. A recommendation on how this proposed mine may relate to the concept of sustainability Mining of coal for export is a labour intensive activity associated with an immense deal of operating costs. This has the implication that the viability of the project ought to be determined on grounds of a comparison of all costs that will be incurred in the exploitation of the mine and the returns expected from the project. For the case of Hunter Valley, there will be costs incurred in the course of opening up the mine, as well as developing transportation infrastructure5. Ideally, at least two roads ought to be widened, alongside the construction of a spur line with the objective of connecting to the rail network. The government of the state will thus have to meet all these expenses before the full exploitation of coal in the proposed mine. The mine is, however, capable of producing enough coal for export thus substantial returns. The proposed project can be said to produce sustainable amount of coal rated at 6 million tonnes annually6. ______________ 5 Hunter Valley Research Foundation , Newcastle and the Upper Hunter Region 2002-2003. ICMM 2003, ICMMM SD Framework. Available from: http://www.icmm.com/html/icmm_ principles.php [Accessed 16/9/03]. 6 World Coal Institute , Sustainable Entrepeneurship: The way forward for the coal industry. Report prepared for the United Nations Environment Programme, 2001, p.46. Indeed, this is adequate amount to call for the expansion of both road and rail transportation channels. In setting up the proposed mine, the NSW state government also ought to put into consideration the environmental sustainability of the project. Considering the existence of environmental regulations, the project is recommended as there are available channels to counter the problem of pollution, likely to arise as a result of the mine. In order for the project to be environmentally sustainable, the mine ought to be located beyond residential and city boundaries7. In addition, the NSW state government ought to ensure that there is intense use of trains, which are environmental friendly, rather than smoky locomotives. Notably, most of the black coal from the proposed mine will be for export; this has the implication that there will be minimum burning of fossil fuels at the mining site, thus an immense deal of reduction of environmental pollution. The environmental sustainability of the project is also guaranteed by the fact that the other activities taking place at the Hunter Valley are green and environmentally friendly. Horse breeding and farming taking place at the valley have been found too have minimum impact on the environment8. _____________ 7 Amy Corderoy, ‘Particle Health Threat Triggers AMA Warning’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 6 April 2013, 2. 8 See Pearse, McKnight and Burton, above n 12, 26. Factors to be considered In its approach of the proposed project, the NSW state government ought to consider a number of factors; notably, this is a labour intensive and costly project. One of the factors to be considered is the real time level of the river. This is because the real time levels of a river have a direct relationship with its catchment. Therefore, the mining activities ought to be carried out in away that will not disturb the catchment of the river. It is worth noting that the river is a source of water for economic activities and domestic use in the area9. Ideally, all the economic activities taking place at the Hunter Valley are dependant on the water from the river. In carrying out the proposed project, the NSW state government also ought to keep into consideration the availability of labour. This has the implication that the government will explore the chances of having to acquire some labour from outside the valley, considering its current population, and the existence of other economic activities. The NSW state government also ought to take into consideration the existence of other economic activities in the valley10. Ideally, all the activities taking place in the area tend to compete for labour, state resources, land resources, and attention from the political body and the media. This has the implication that, the government will have to establish a balance between all the industries to ensure that it does not open the new mine at the expense of other economic activities. _________________ 9 N O’Malley, ‘Black Marks on the Health Chart’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 19 March 2010, 12. 10 Hunter Community Environment Centre, ‘Premier Urged to Control Air Pollution in 2014: 50% Increase in Air Pollution Breaches in Newcastle and the Hunter’ . A recommendation for NSW government action The evaluation of an array of factors surrounding the proposed project reveals that it is viable. However, it is highly recommended for the NSW state government to take charge in order to ensure that the project remains sustainable11. Firstly, the government ought to pass and implement strict regulations to control environmental pollution. The mining of coal and other non-renewable minerals is associated with an immense deal of environmental pollution, which if unchecked, could lead to significant loss of property and life12. The government should also ensure proper management of the resources allocated for the project. This action will ensure that the opening up of the proposed mine does not use up more resources than the expected returns. In addition, the government also ought to take an action to ensure a balanced allocation of resources for all the economical activities taking place in the valley. _____________________ 11 Glenn Albrecht et al, ‘Solastalgia: The Distress Caused by Environmental Change’, (2007) 15(1) Australasian Psychiatry, 95. 12 William M Castleden, David Shearman, George Crisp and Phillip Finch, ‘The Mining and Burning of Coal: Effects on Health and the Environment’, (2011) 195(6) The Medical Journal of Australia, 333 Conclusion The proposed mine at Arrowfield Stud, which is east of Scone, is viable implying that the NSW state government should go ahead and implement it. With the prospects of mining 6 million tonnes of coal, per year, the government ought to carry out the required expansion of transportation channels in order to ensure smooth operations at the mine. The sustainability of the proposed project depends on actions taken by the government with respect to resource management and environmental friendliness. It is worth noting that such other industries as winemaking, farming, and horse breeding have proved sustainability thus the question now is whether the proposed Hunter Valley will be sustainable. This calls for a proper balance of focus and resource allocation for all activities taking place at the Hunter Valley. References Amy Corderoy, ‘Particle Health Threat Triggers AMA Warning’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 6 April 2013, 2. Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Upper Hunter Cumulative Impact Study and Action Strategy, New South Wales Government,1997. Glenn Albrecht et al, ‘Solastalgia: The Distress Caused by Environmental Change’, (2007) 15(1) Australasian Psychiatry, 95. Hunter Community Environment Centre, ‘Premier Urged to Control Air Pollution in 2014: 50% Increase in Air Pollution Breaches in Newcastle and the Hunter’ . Hunter Valley Research Foundation , Newcastle and the Upper Hunter Region 2002-2003. ICMM 2003, ICMMM SD Framework. Available from: http://www.icmm.com/html/icmm_ principles.php [Accessed 16/9/03]. McManus, P. Environmental Regulation, in TheInternational Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Elsevier, 2009, pp.546‐552. N O’Malley, ‘Black Marks on the Health Chart’, The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 19 March 2010, 12. See Pearse, McKnight and Burton, above n 12, 26. William M Castleden, David Shearman, George Crisp and Phillip Finch, ‘The Mining and Burning of Coal: Effects on Health and the Environment’, (2011) 195(6) The Medical Journal of Australia, 333 World Coal Institute , Sustainable Entrepeneurship: The way forward for the coal industry. Report prepared for the United Nations Environment Programme, 2001, p.46. Read More