A meeting at the local hall on Monday night saw a good roll-up of people that has led to the revival of the Jerrys Plains and District Progress Association.

The top issue to come out of the meeting was the need to work towards getting an air monitoring program in place.

Lifelong resident Don Barry said there was a consensus in the community that there was a huge increase in the amount of dust in the area since coal mining came to the district.

He said there was widespread concern in the community over air quality, contamination of tank water, and the possible increase in asthma levels due to the mining and power industries.

Jerrys Plains and District Progress Association secretary Rob Joyner said they were not anti-mining but an air monitor would give them a baseline to keep an eye on the situation.

He said they wanted to create a sustainable future and it was important to promote activities that would ensure this.

“We have horse studs, olive groves, macadamias, vineyards, dairy farms, beef cattle, crops and lots more,” he said.

“Once mining is gone, we want Jerrys to still be here.”

Renewing the town tennis courts and fixing the roof on the sports ground shed were also priorities the group will be working on.

Coal & Allied’s proposed closure of Wallaby Scrub Road for the Warkworth mine extension is also a big concern to residents.

Mr Joyner said it was a valued road in the Hunter Wine Trail that connects Cessnock to the Upper Hunter and is a road much-used by locals.

“This will add 15 to 20 minutes to the journey to Sydney via the Putty Road,” he said.

“This is not looking to the future for Jerrys Plains.”

The group will champion issues of environment and heritage; with a mission to maintain and improve on the quality of life in Jerrys Plains and work towards a sustainable future.