If you have suggestions on ways that the planning, regulation and communications around coal mining and gas exploration can be improved, the NSW government wants to know.

A 12-page scoping paper already identifies obvious areas of improvement.

It realises the planning approval process could be more streamlined.

It realises the regulatory regime for the coal and coal seam gas exploration licences could be improved and that issues identified in the exploration phase should be addressed before moving to the planning stage.

The environment, rehabilitation, cumulative impacts, land-use conflict, protection of water resources and alluvial aquifers and demand on infrastructure such as rail and roads are identified as key issues that should be addressed strategically.

The strategy is timely given the projected growth of the industry.

The future of the NSW coal industry is tied to global energy demand, which is predicted to increase by up to 60 per cent over the next 25 years indicating that coal exports for NSW are likely to increase significantly.

The Gunnedah Basin, Hunter Valley and the Western Basin will provide this coal. Forecasts also indicate a substantial increase in coal seam gas production over the next 25 years.

It is important that we seek public and stakeholder feedback on how to take a more strategic and holistic view of coal mining to help inform these assessments and other government action, said Planning Minister Tony Kelly.

The scoping paper in on the Department’s website www.planning.nsw.gov.au by following the links to the ‘On Exhibition’. A public meeting to discuss the scoping paper is planned at Gunnedah Town Hall on February 10, while regional forums will also be held in other key locations.