The NSW Planning Assessment Commission(PAC) gave approval on Thursday to Chinese government-owned Shenhua to build an open cut mine which will cover 175 square kilometres on the edge of the Liverpool Plains, considered one of the best food-growing regions in Australia.
Anger over the mine could endanger the sitting Nationals, who include the federal agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, and state MP Kevin Anderson, who faces an election on 28 March.
The NSW approval now places the responsibility on the shoulders of the federal environment minister, Greg Hunt. The minister has final approval after he considers a report by an expert scientific committee examining the environmental ramifications of the mine.
It is understood a federal decision is due on 13 March, two weeks before the state election.
Tim Duddy, a farmer and spokesman for the Caroona Coal Action Group, slammed National party representatives saying locals “could not find a less effective party for rural interests if they tried”.
"Even the communist party would do a better job because at least they recognise that we all need food,” Duddy said.
“The cash has been flowing today, from people wanting to help. Every donation they have given to the National party they are going to reroute to fight the mines.”
Duddy said local people should “shirtfront” Joyce to “turn the central heating up”. He said crossbencher Palmer United party senator Dio Wang would be visiting the region on Monday.
NSW Farmers Association president Fiona Simson said the local community felt “betrayed” after a range of NSW Coalition ministers committed to protect the best farming land through a Strategic Land Use Agreement at the last state election in 2011.
“The National party will be held to account for this decision,” Simson said.
“It’s a Coalition government. When we look at [Duncan] Gay, [Andrew] Stoner, [Brad] Hazzard, successive government ministers committed they will not approve projects. Clearly the community feels this is a massive policy breach and the agricultural community feels betrayed by the government.”
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