While Liverpool Plains farmers praised Mr Baird’s commitment to protecting the food bowl, they said the job was only half done, with the neighbouring Shenhua mine still clouding the future of the black soil plains.

Mr Baird will step down as Premier next week, citing his family’s health as the overriding reason – his mother, father and sister are all battling “very serious health challenge[s]”.

Caroona farmer John Hampersum said the BHP mine buyback was a “fantastic result”, but until the Shenhua mine was dealt with, “the job’s not done”.

“The Caroona mine was the wrong mine in the wrong place, just as the Shenhua project is,” he said.

“He’s shown it’s possible and paved the way for next administration to complete the job.”

Mr Baird visited the Liverpool Plains a number of times as Premier.

“Once he saw where the mine was, you could see he got it, he understood the issue,” Mr Hampersum said.

Fellow Caroona farmer Tim Duddy said by buying back the Caroona mine, Mr Baird set an important precedent for his successor to follow.

“The BHP mine didn’t go ahead because of its environmental risks – the environmental risks of Shenhua are very similar,” Mr Duddy said.

“For him to do that is hugely significant. He acknowledged this land has more value other than being dug up.”

SOS Liverpool Plains president Rosemary Nankivell said the community was “very grateful” for Mr Baird's efforts, but there was still a great deal of concern on the plains regarding the Shenhua mine.

“Hopeful his replacement makes it a priority to protect the plains, there is no point only doing half a job,” Ms Nankivell said. Shenhua declined to comment.

Mr Baird, once Australia’s most popular politician, oversaw many sweeping and controversial reforms, such as the lockout laws, forced council amalgamations and the greyhound ban.

He was a driving force behind the push to legalise medical cannabis, after meeting the family of Tamworth local Dan Haslam, who was using it during his battle with bowel cancer.