THREE compliance officers to the coal mining industry are expected to be on the job within a matter of weeks.

The positions funded by the New South Wales Department of Planning will mean local coal mines will need to be more vigilant than ever as the officers will monitor and enforce conditions of consent for major coal mining projects.

The three positions, for a team leader and two officers, are full-time and based in Singleton with applications closing on August 22.

Minister for Planning Tony Kelly said the compliance officers were part of the NSW Government’s response to the Camberwell Cumulative Impact Review, which has also led to the establishment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee to develop a mining strategy for the state.

State member for Upper Hunter George Souris said the announcement was welcome news and something that he had long been campaigning for, but it was still only halfway to a full inspectorate.

Mr Souris said some breaches were not necessarily matters for the DPI (Department of Planning and Infrastructure) so a broader approach was necessary.

“It doesn’t complete the picture,” he said.

“There may well be an incident that involves the Department of Planning and the EPA (Environment Protection Agency now DECCWA Department of Climate Change and Water).

“What would complete a full inspectorate would be two or three officers from the EPA (DECCWA) as well.”

Mr Souris said that with more than 100 million tonnes of coal produced each year, 80m for export and 20m for the power stations, the role of the compliance officers would be a large one.

“They’ve got a big job in front of them,” he said.

Minister for Hunter Jodi McKay said she encouraged anyone with relevant experience to apply for the new positions.

“I have long supported the establishment of these positions and I congratulate Minister Kelly for making it happen,” she said.

The Department of Planning is responsible for enforcing conditions of approval for all major mining projects approved in NSW. Compliance monitoring and enforcement is carried out under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and involves extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders and the technical assessment on a range of complex issues covering all aspects of mining.