Major objectives for the project are to:

• Manage any changes to surface flooding impacts following subsidence;
• Manage subsidence impacts on surface structures such as houses; and,
• Reduce and manage subsidence impacts on landscape features, such as streams and aquifers.

Both Strata Control Technology Pty Limited and Mine Subsidence Engineering Consultants Pty Limited are currently undertaking the subsidence assessment for the project. The use of two leading consultants for the subsidence assessment for this project reflects our desire to ensure that this is satisfactorily addressed during the finalisation of the mine plan design and subsequent environmental assessment.

The mine has incorporated a number of protection measures to safeguard against adverse impacts on the local community. The amount of the coal to be extracted beneath the Hue Hue area has been significantly reduced to ensure that surface movement (referred to as subsidence), will be within the levels stipulated by the declared Subsidence District for effective management of impacts on structures.

Similarly, when crossing deep beneath the Dooralong Valley floodplain, which is necessary to access coal reserves within the surrounding State Forest, the mine design has been selected to reduce the subsidence effects. Such subsidence protection zones have been included in both the Yarramalong and Dooralong Valleys as well as the Hue Hue rural residential area.