Upper Hunter residents protest lack of local mine exhibition notice

Residents of the Upper Hunter region have raised concerns regarding the lack of local advertising for the public exhibition of a proposed coal mine extension. The Bloomfield Group is seeking approval for the Rix's Creek North continuation project, which would allow mining operations to proceed from 2035 to 2049.

An environmental impact statement indicates that the project could affect more than 200 privately owned properties through noise, dust, and blast impacts. Some affected landowners may be offered voluntary acquisition rights.

Local community members, including Deidre Olofsson, have filed formal complaints alleging that the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure failed to advertise the exhibition period in local or regional media as previously advised. Instead, the exhibition, which runs from October 13 to November 10, was reportedly only advertised in a national newspaper. The department has not responded to inquiries regarding the decision to bypass local media outlets.