An expansion of a coal mine north of Wollongong has been granted approval after appeals against it have been dismissed in the Land and Environment Court.
The $50 million extension of the Metropolitan Colliery at Helensburgh saw approval following the environmental group, Rivers SOS, appealing against the decision in court last month.
However, the Metropolitan Colliery, owned by coal miner Peabody Energy, saw approval under Part 3A legislation.
The protest group voiced its disappointment at the approval, calling for environmental groups to have a greater say in granting approvals.
These protests follow similar environmental group concerns regarding coal mine expansions and the potential damage to the local environment across the state.
In the Liverpool Floodplains, local action groups also raised concerns over the possible adverse effects of expanded coal mining, bringing about a New South Wales Government inquiry which investigated the prohibition of further mining.
Peabody has recently seen protests at its North Goonyella coal mine due to industrial disputes.
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