The group has letter box dropped the community with a flyer, put up posters questioning how close is too close and is running an advertising campaign in the Gloucester Advocate.

GRIP president Di Montague said the aim was to raise awareness amongst the community to the continued expansion of coal mining in the valley, and in particular to the Gloucester Resources Ltd exploration program at the end of Fairbairns Road, just five kilometres from town.

“GRIP believes that many of the residents are opposed to the approval of a mine that close to where they live and work.”

She said the posters, “is this too close” were designed to make people think about the location of the GRL exploration and to highlight that a mine, if approved, would not be located down the valley, but “on their doorstep.”

Ms Montague said while the members of GRIP are seen by many as the noisy minority they believe that the silent majority do not want a mine but do not know how to oppose it.

The campaign has also seen pre-written letters, left at more than 30 shops and businesses across the community that can be signed allowing members of their community to voice their concern about any expansion of coal mining close to Gloucester.

Once completed the letters will be send to the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition.

“We were delighted with the response by the businesses and shops. This illustrates to us that residents are worried about the prospect of a mine that close,” she said.

Ms Montague said if a development application is submitted to the NSW Department of Planning for a coal mine in the GRL exploration area the community will only have 28 days to put in submissions.

“We need to be objecting now.

“If the town in numbers show more opposition to any potential mine then the government will take more notice. We are asking people to sign the letters which are on clipboards at over 30 shops, businesses and venues all around town. GRIP will collect the letters and post them to the Premier and the leader of the Opposition,” she said.