ABC News reported Metropolitan manager Neville McAlary as saying at the hearings that altering the mine plan could affect the economic viability of the mine to the point where it could see closure in 2011.

However, Peabody head of communications for Australia Jennifer Morgan told International Longwall News there was an “emotional” hearing process.

She said the company was confident enough in the robustness of its data to say there would be no impact on the reservoir and she was in support of the Peabody’s adaptive management plan to safely mine under the rivulet.

Peabody is expecting hear back from the Planning Assessment Commission, which led the hearings, today.

Morgan said the company would continue to work closely with both PAC and the Sydney Catchment Authority to ensure the community’s fears are allayed.

Peabody’s expansion plans for Metropolitan are awaiting government approval.

The expansion would have the longwall mine ramping up to 3 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal a year from the Bulli seam for 25 years, and include infrastructure upgrades.

The hearings were held March 11-12 to examine the impacts of subsidence on the rivulet and the Worona catchment area.