LIVERPOOL Plains farmers are calling for Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to use his clout and convince the federal government to stop the Shenhua Watermark coalmine.
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About 40 farmers and supporters gathered outside the New England MP's office in Tamworth on Tuesday morning to express their opposition to the project.
Mr Joyce was not at the office at the time of the protest, but a member of his staff took receipt of a letter outlining the farming community's concerns on his behalf.
The group's spokesman Hugh Price said Mr Joyce must ensure Environment Minister Greg Hunt rejects the mine under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC).
"We are here today to make sure that federal cabinet and Mr Joyce prevent this mine from irreparably damaging the Liverpool Plains and the productive aquifers underneath it," he said.
Only an unfavourable ruling under the EPBC Act will prevent Shenhua from forging ahead with the $1 billion mine after the independent NSW Planning Assessment Commission approved it last month.
See tomorrow's edition of The Leader for the full story.
