Idemitsu applied to modify its development consent for the Boggabri mine to construct the additional bores to fill an annual expected deficit of 1015-1570ML.

The company proposes a new borefield near the Namoi River, but it does not hold sufficient water licences yet to construct the borefield.

Local water users are objecting to the impacts the additional strain on water resources may have.

Peter Watson’s farm is downstream of the borefield, which he says will draw down groundwater in the aquifer and reduce flow in Namoi River itself.

“As a groundwater irrigator, the open ended planning process allowed for these projects means to me that less and less water will be available for domestic water supplies and food and fibre production and more freshwater will be used for dust suppression on roads around the mine,” he said.

Lock the Gate Alliance also lodged an objection yesterday.

Policy coordinator Georgina Woods said: “Let’s get something straight, Idemitsu has an obligation under its mine approval to make sure it had enough water for all stages of the project to adjust the scale of mining operations on site to match its available water supply.

It’s just not okay for them to get approval to mine more water out of this area: we’ve got to conserve it.”