“It’s a step towards a commonsense balance,” said Mr Moore.

“This hasn’t stopped coal exploration on other properties in the valley and it hasn’t stopped the mine itself, but it certainly is the best Christmas present we’ve had in a long while.

“Not only is it a step towards protecting rural communities, agricultural land and farming groundwater, I hope it’s a step towards changing the law so landholders have rights, not just coalmine companies.”

Mr Moore was speaking after a spokesman for the Doyles Creek parent company, NuCoal managing director Glen Lewis, said there would be no coal exploration on the Moore’s 180 hectares.

The decision follows a dramatic week which began last Tuesday when the legally blind cattleman and his wife attracted national media attention by going to the Land and Environment Court in the hope of stopping Doyles Creek representatives drilling three boreholes on their property.

Although Judge Peter Biscoe granted Doyles Creek access, the stage appeared set for a major “lock the gate” and political lobby battle.

Then Resources Minister Chris Hartcher called on NuCoal officials to voluntarily suspend exploration activities on its 28 square kilometre licence area at Jerrys Plains until an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry was completed into the way the licence was granted.

Yesterday’s compromise deal allows the company to continue drilling on land it owns or holds an access agreement over.