The DGRs were prepared in consultation with relevant government agencies with input from the community and the New South Wales Farmers Association.

Watermark project director Joe Clayton said the DGRs were vital to ensuring the project addressed social and environmental issues.

“The DGRs set the agenda for the issues that must be addressed as part of our environmental impact statement,” Clayton said.

“If the project cannot demonstrate that we will address and satisfy all the requirements in the DGRs, then our project will not be submitted for assessment.”

Some of the key issues Shenhua will need to assess as part of the EIS include agriculture and other land resources, biodiversity, air quality, greenhouse gasses, noise and waste.

In addition, Shenhua will also have to prepare an agriculture impact statement as part of its development application and EIS.

The Watermark project, located 35km southeast of Gunnedah is targeting 10 million tonnes per annum of coal over a 30-year mine life.

The project will include a coal handling and preparation plant as well as a rail spur and loop to connect the rail line to Newcastle port.

If the project is approved, the mine would create up to 600 full time construction jobs and 425 jobs during operation.