A historic homestead built in north-west New South Wales by the family of famed Australian poet Dorothea Mackellar has been heritage-listed after a three-year campaign.
The Mackellar family built Kurrumbede, near Gunnedah, in the early 20th century.
Historians say the poet was a frequent visitor to the property and used the surrounding scenery as inspiration for much of her work.
But a local historical society was alarmed that the expansion of a nearby coal mine could pose a threat to the homestead, due to the potential effects of coal dust and underground blasting.
Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society president Philippa Murray said the property would be "right on the lip" of Whitehaven Coal's Vickery mine once it was expanded.
"It does give the property owner, Whitehaven, access to heritage grants for restoration, so that is a good thing and we hope they would take advantage of it."
A spokesperson for Whitehaven Coal said it had committed long ago to preserving Kurrumbede, including investing $500,000 to upgrade the gardens, and opening the homestead to the public last year.
"Regardless of formal heritage status, working to preserve this special property for future generations is business as usual for us," the spokesperson said.
The company's managing director Paul Flynn had previously said plans to extend the Vickery mine were "consistent with the preservation of the homestead".
'National' cultural significance
The memorial society had campaigned for the property's inclusion on the heritage register for about three years and had multiple meetings with NSW Environment Minister James Griffin.
Ms Murray said Whitehaven Coal was initially reluctant to support its inclusion.
"But thank you to them, they've come to the party and realised that there is a groundswell of public opinion for it," she said.
She said the profile of Dorothea Mackellar meant the property was of national significance.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson supported the campaign and said it was a fine addition to the prominence of Dorothea Mackellar.
"This is something very, very special for Gunnedah," Mr Anderson said.
"These old buildings that are part of our social fabric of where we've come from ... need to be preserved."
