Hunter residents have launched legal action against the state government over a coal mine expansion near Bulga.
They’re up in arms over Rio Tinto’s proposed Warkworth Mine extension, which includes the clearing of more than 570 hectares of land.
The Land and Environment Court case is being seen as the first big test of state laws regarding environmentally-sensitive offset land.
Bulga residents argue destruction of the woodlands will expose them to more coal dust and destroy wildlife habitat.
