We need your help to save the Liverpool Plains which are one of the world's best known agricultural wonderlands.  It is likely this famous area will be destroyed by the construction of a 35 sqare kilometre open cut coal mine.  NSW's famous Liverpool Plains can be saved and it needs you.

The Liverpool Plains is an extremely fertile agricultural area approximately five hours from Sydney. It has been likened to the Nile Valley and the produce from this area eventually will make its way to your plate or lunchbox in some form throughout your day.  The Liverpool Plains produces 40% above the national average for food and fibre production.  Only 6% of Australia's land mass is considered arable and the Liverpool Plains, with its rich black soils and temperate climate, is the jewel in the crown of sustainable agriculture.  Our farmers are here for the long term and are considered world leaders of agricultural excellence.

For those who rely on water from the Murray-Darling Basin - and let's face it - that is just about everyone living in Eastern Australia - the Namoi Catchment, which is the largest body of water in the Basin, lies under the Liverpool Plains.  This water must be protected and used sustainably by farmers, communities and towns for their survival throughout the Murray Darling Basin.

Since 2007, the farming communities of the Liverpool Plains have been fighting to protect the Liverpool Plains from both coal mining and coal seam gas extraction.  Shenhua, a Chinese government owned entity has been granted permission by the NSW State Government to develop a 35sq kilometre open cut mine on the ridges of the plains. 


The ridges of the Liverpool Plains are an integral part of the fragile water system that is relied upon by so many farmers, towns and villages. The ridges provide run-off in rain events and are connected to the aquifers below the plains.  The ridges also provide a refuge for our healthy and numerous koalas and host an extensive range of biodiversity for many endangered and threatened species.  Critically, they also host significant Aboriginal sites of spiritual importance to the Gomeroi people, their history and their sense of country and belonging.

Currently, we are waiting for the Federal Minister for Environment, Greg Hunt, to determine if this project can proceed.  if approval is granted, the backlash from the community will be horrendous.

We have a proud history of defending these plains.  In 2008, our community sustained the longest running blockade against BHP.  For 612 days the community held BHP at bay until a catchment wide water study was initiated.  We also held the first successful blockade against coal seam gas.  We have won Supreme Court battles, only to have governments change the legislation retrospectively. The preceding eight years have seen this community fund the best expert knowledge available to provide a robust case to protect the Liverpool Plains. We have employed numerous experts - soil scientists, hydrologists, energy analysts, economists, legal expertise and just about any other recognised authority to substantiate our case.  We have remained a tight and united community determined to achieve the best possible outcome for the Liverpool Plains.

This is the country of Dorethea McKellar's "I love a Sunburnt Country", and the ancient cultural heritage of the Gomeroi. This is a story of farmers who have fought long and hard to protect the farmlands of the Liverpool Plains and its water resources
This is a story that needs to be spread far and wide for everyone to become involved.

Funding is desperately needed to inform Australians exactly what is happening to their food bowl and to fight those that seek to destroy it.  We need to raise awareness of this situation, not just for the people of the Liverpool Plains but for you, future generations and the food security of this country.   Donations will enable us to embark on a media campaign to achieve our goal.  We envision strategic billboards, advertising in the mainstream media, a sustained mainstream and social media campaign and enough funding to take advantage on any opportunity that will further this cause. 

Will you help us? Will you play a part in this battle which will ultimately affect you, what you eat and wear? Will you help us take a stand against climate change and yet another wrong mine in the wrong place?

Our greatest challenge throughout this battle has been successive NSW State Governments and the undue influence which the mining companies exert.  The governments' lack of vision for this state has resulted in them taking the easy option.  The easy option has been to blindly accept from mining bodies their exaggerated mining benefits to communities, distorted job figures royalty payments and taxation benefits.  Little has been made of the 'boom and bust" figures, the lack of sustainability of the mining industry and the need for a balanced economy.  Worrying, the many overseas taxation havens established by these companies enable excessive donations to political parties of all persuasions.  The "revolving door" enables mining executives to have unlimited access to politicians.  Usually the most influential industry representatives have served time in strategic government departments which enables them to have unlimited access to politicians. 
Governments have failed to recognise the value of a clean healthy environment.  In the face of global warming and record greenhouse emissions successive governments have failed to act in the public interest.
Massive failure of government policy and legislation, and the broken electoral promises such as this government's vow to protect strategic agricultural land has enraged many farmers.  Politicians from both side of the political spectrum have found to be, or alleged to be corrupt.  It is not surprising that there is a concentration of this type of politician in the mining and resource departments.
We have a attracted a huge amount of support - even miners.  Most people know the value of the Liverpool Plains for long term sustainable agriculture, but it is only the power of the people which will change the current situation.  Please fight with us to give this country a future.