A new television advertisement starring Hunter Valley locals begins screening in the region tomorrow (Jan 22), highlighting the need to protect farmland from destructive coal mining.

The NSW Government has allowed mining company Shenhua to alter its development approval for the controversial Watermark open cut coal mine in the Liverpool Plains, near Gunnedah, which will enable work on site to begin without key management plans being approved.

Community groups are celebrating the news this week that Blue Energy gas permits in the Wide Bay Burnett region have expired and will not be renewed.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has informed Lock the Gate Alliance this week that the two Blue Energy gas permits that were due for renewal on the 31^st December have expired, and will not be renewed. 

Community group Lock the Gate Alliance has redoubled its calls for a Special Commission of Inquiry into mining in NSW after the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal this week found in favour of the NSW Government withholding key documents on the Shenhua coal mine.

Lock the Gate Alliance has today described Adani’s decision to move some machinery to its Carmichael mine site in Central Queensland as a PR stunt, with several significant environmental approvals and court challenges outstanding.