Two words kept being repeated during the visit co-existence and balance as the Premier and Minister Stokes visited first the site of proposed Drayton South open cut, Darley's Woodlands stud, Mount Thorley Warkworth mine and then the village of Bulga.

At each stop on their itinerary Premier Baird said it was vital for him to visualise what was happening on the ground and to hear from those most affected by any planning decision.

He repeated the mantra that coexistence was possible and that he wanted his government to achieve balance in its planning decisions.

Taking an aerial perspective of the Drayton South project thanks to a helicopter ride from Darley's Woodlands stud near Jerrys Plains the Premier said he now had a very good idea of what was being proposed and the proximity of the mine to the stud.

But he quickly added coal was good for the state saying boundaries needed to be established to achieve co-existence.