The announcement, made on Monday, is part of the transitional arrangements now in place to allow for the stage implemention of the government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.

Member for Upper Hunter George Souris said prior to the election the Liberals and Nationals announced the policy to strike the right balance between agricultural, mining and energy sectors, while ensuring the protection of high value conservation lands.

Among the other transitional measures now in place are that all applications for coal, coal seam gas and petroleum exploration licences be exhibited for public comment; the public notification of the guidelines which will inform the assessment of impacts on strategic agicultural land from proposed development activities and the need for an agricultural impact statement to accompany all new coal, coal seam gas and petroleum extraction applications.

The NSW Farmers Assocation has welcomed the State Government’s announcement.

Association president Charles Armstrong said the moratorium, in place until a new planning regime is implemented, is a clear sign the Government is taking the concerns of farmers seriously.

“The Government has followed through on a pre-election promise to take a responsible and balanced approach to mining exploration in NSW,” Mr Armstrong said.

NSW Farmers’ Mining Taskforce Chair Fiona Simson is pleased the Association’s hard work has paid off.

“This is the start of a long process of mapping out a plan for regional communities which will ensure balanced development, and the sustainability of both farming and mining into the future,” Fiona Simson said.