Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has hit the pause button on a controversial NSW coalmine next to some of the state's most productive farmland.
The Watermark open-cut mine, on the Liverpool Plains near Gunnedah in northern NSW, is due to go ahead after the state Planning Assessment Commission determined that farming could proceed on the fertile plains next to the mine site.
The mine's operator, the Chinese-owned Shenhua Watermark, says the project will not harm the irrigation groundwater used by farmers.
But Mr Hunt, who met farmers in the region on Friday, said he had sought advice from an independent scientific committee.
He said the approval process under federal environmental laws would be paused while he awaited advice on the protection of water resources.
"Given almost two years has passed since advice was provided, I consider it important, prudent and appropriate to seek additional advice," Mr Hunt said.
He said he wanted to ensure the assessment was robust and based on the best available science.
"Water trigger" laws introduced in 2013 ensure coalmines cannot go ahead without independent advisers verifying they will not damage water resources.
Mine owner Shenhua issued a statement indicating it was not troubled by Mr Hunt's decision.
The company said it stood by the scientific assessments undertaken to date and "has every confidence this additional review will reconfirm the conclusions reached in the NSW assessment process".
Farmer Andrew Pursehouse, whose Breeza Station is close to the mine site, met Mr Hunt and said the minister appeared well briefed on the issues around the controversial mine.
While legislation requires the Independent Expert Scientific Committee to report back within two months, Mr Pursehouse said Mr Hunt had not set a deadline for the response.
Mr Pursehouse said he was not celebrating the end of the mine project.
"It's another step, I suppose," he said.
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