THE decision by BHP Billiton to narrow the focus of their exploration for coal on the Liverpool Plains might make some sleep easier at night, but it does not answer the burning question: will coal mining affect or even destroy the underground aquifer systems the area is renowned for?

In its interim report to stakeholders released today, the Big Australian said the areas generally located under ridge country will be the target of further exploration “because they represent a significant coal resource”.

This exploration area will cover about 126 square kilometres – a reduction from the initial 350sq/km exploration licence area.

In the report, BHP Billiton said these reserves had the potential to be efficiently extracted by underground longwall mining.

However, there should be a degree of concern and uncertainty, if a leaked report highlighted in June by the Member for New England Tony Windsor into the impact of longwall mining, is to be considered.

The MP said the findings of the report further reinforced the need for a full independent catchment-wide study of the offsite impacts of such mining.

He said it confirmed the need for an independent study, not just in the area of exploration but further down the valley to look at the interconnectivity of the aquifers and what happened if an “artery” was cut at the headwaters.

BHP Billiton said the excluded parts of the exploration were mainly on the floodplain and where the deep alluvial aquifers were located.

So two contrary points of view will have the landholders wondering which is the correct finding.

If the NSW and Federal governments are fair dinkum then it should have no reason not to approve an inquiry into the topic of aquifers.

However, past actions indicate governments tend to look at a bigger picture including prospective revenue potential.

The unfortunate side effect of the issue could be the loss of important water supplies while the life of the coal mine would be finite.

Good land stewardship is an infinite and ongoing resource.