The mine is at the edge of Leard State Forest, which will be devastated as a result of increased mining in the area, she said.

“Maules Creek is one of three monster mines which, along with the Boggabri and Tarrawonga coal mines, will result in bulldozing 4000 of the 7500 hectares of the old growth forest, which includes 34 threatened species including koalas, and several endangered ecological communities,” she said.

“These mines should never have been approved and this action by farmers, traditional owners, local residents and environmentalists is the only thing standing between irreversible environmental and community destruction.

“I visited Leard State Forest last year and met with some of the community activists who have been camping on site, fighting the mine for 18 months. They are dedicated, passionate and determined and I wish them every success in this crucial action.

“I will be visiting Leard State Forest again in early February to lend my support to the activists fighting to save their land and livelihood.”

Whitehaven's Maules Creek coal mine near Boggabri in NSW will be clear-felling 550ha of critically endangered white box-gum grassy woodlands and derived native grassland in Leard State Forest, according to Rhiannon.

“The mines will lower the water table on the surrounding fertile Liverpool Plains by 5-7m and will result in up to 18,000t of coal dust on the surrounding environment, farms and residents each year,” she said.