Farmers say they could be left short of water in times of drought if a proposed coal mine expansion is allowed to go ahead in north-west New South Wales.
Their concerns were aired during two days of public hearings into Whitehaven Coal's plan, which involves doubling the extraction rate at its Vickery mine, between Gunnedah and Boggabri.
The change would increase the disturbance area of the mine by 20 per cent, and would see the construction of a rail loader and a coal handling facility.
An assessment report from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) concluded the project was approvable, subject to a variety of conditions.
But multiple speakers at this week's hearing told the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) they did not trust Whitehaven's to will comply with some requirements.
Water woes
The impact of the mine on water sources was frequently raised in the public submissions.
The DPIE's Mike Young told the hearing the department was satisfied the mine would not significantly alter the availability of water in the region.
"Even under dry conditions, there would be sufficient licences and water available for the operation of the mine," Mr Young said.
But nearby landholder James Barlow said that claim had been disproven during the recent dry period.
He claimed Whitehaven purchased additional land and then piped water to its mines.
"There were issues around water for them without the Vickery mine even up and running," Mr Barlow said.
Company mistrusted
Whitehaven chief executive Paul Flynn was asked by the panel whether the company would consider lowering the rate of extraction during dry periods.
"To the extent that limitations in procuring licences [occur] … there is always the potential to modify production," he said.
"There's also the option of changing the product mix that comes from the site."
Boggabri farmer Sally Hunter from the group People for the Plains told the hearing Whitehaven did not undertake any such reduction when its Maules Creek mine was running low on water last year.
"Never once did they consider producing less coal and not using so much water," she said.
"We saw them aggressively buy out water in the market, paying three times the usual prices."
Supporters of the project argued the economic and social benefits of the mining industry had provided the region with a lifeline during the drought.
The IPC is accepting written submissions on the project until Friday July 10.
A final decision expected in August.
Yesterday the Natural Resources Access Regulator announced it would take the Whitehaven-owned Maules Creek Coal to court.
It has been charged with two counts of taking water without an access licence.
