Local Steve Evans, who is on the committee, told ABC Radio that NuCoal would not disclose anything to the committee and its members were forced to undertake their own investigations.

"You look at the ASX site, you go around them and try and find out whatever you can," Evans reportedly said.

"We see land purchases on the ASX site because they have to by law for their shareholders put them up there, yet we ask the question at the meeting on land they've purchased after it's been on the ASX website and they say they haven't.

"The community themselves could find out just as much information as the consultative committee when they should be coming to us and asking, with us being able to give them that information."

Lewis told ILN that Evans has issues with the CCC because some of the information he is after is not available.

“This is a problem when an EL [exploration licence] has a CCC which historically was only for operations where the CCC could discuss operational matters and issues like noise and dust,” he said.

“Doyles Creek were one of the first ELs to have a CCC formed and it has been underway since November 2009. It is chaired by Jock Laurie [National Farmers Federation president] and now has an independent minute taker.

“While we are in the exploration stage and environmental assessment part of the project, some of the longer term mine plan matters are yet to be decided yet some people, including Mr Evans, believe we should have the answers now.

Unfortunately mine planning is a very comprehensive process and some planning matters take several years to determine.”

Lewis said that, in general, the CCC operated well and Evans represented a minority of people on the CCC.