The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is inviting you, the community to have its say on whether two sites east of Lue and north of Rylstone - the Hawkins and Rumker areas are appropriate for coal exploration.

The Hawkins area is approximately 26km east of Mudgee and north of Rylstone; and the Rumker area is approximately 37km south-east of Mudgee and north-east of Rylstone. The Hawkins project would approach the area where the Lue Silver Project is currently and south of the rejected Bylong Coal Project.

In a release to the media, the department's Executive Director of State Policy and Strategic Advice, Felicity Greenway, said this was the start of an involved process, one where community feedback would be considered at regular intervals.

"Our job is to prepare a report, known as a Preliminary Regional Issues Assessment (PRIA), that considers social, environmental and economic matters, as well as the potential benefits, disadvantages, opportunities and constraints of exploration and mining," she said.

"To do this, we need to know what the community thinks and that's why we are seeking its feedback. There will be plenty of opportunity for the community to get involved, including local information sessions, so we encourage people to have their say."

Rosemary Hadaway, Chairperson of the Mudgee District Environment Group (MDEG) told the Mudgee Guardian she is wary of the promise that voices in the community will be heard.

"I'm just concerned about the landholders rights and the community's rights, and how much their voice will be taken into account," she said.

"That's a great concern when the government says they are consulting, but the whole process is incredibly non-transparent. What guarantee do we have and proof that landholders rights and communities voices are upheld and heard?"

Rosemary said these two possible explorations run counter to the country's renewable energy goals.

"The catch cry that the politicians use about, 'we need coal for jobs, and it'll be good for the district' and so forth, is an entire furphy because the future of jobs is in clean, efficient, renewable energy," she said.

"Australians and humans have always adapted to changes in society and needs as time moves on. We have always adapted our jobs and our economic structure. And that's what we're in the middle of now. And to move to coal is an entire backward step."

Once the DPIE completes the assessment, it goes to a NSW Government advisory board along with a Resources Assessment, prepared by the Department of Regional NSW after which the board will make recommendations to the Minister for Regional NSW, current NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro.

The Department is hosting four sessions to provide information on the process and to gather verbal feedback. Details of these sessions are provided below.

The department says each session will be limited to approximately 50 people to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to provide input and minimise the risk of cancellation in the case of further COVID restrictions.

Locations are listed below:

To book a place to attend one of the information sessions, or to have your say online, visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pria-consult

Feedback must be received by 28 July 2021. To provide written feedback there is an online form you can fill out, which will be available from 14 June.

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