ABC news reported that Mr Don Argus chairman of BHP Billiton has met selected community stakeholders likely to be affected by its plans for coal mining in the Caroona Basin.

A company spokeswoman said that the private meeting in Gunnedah involved business and land holder groups and affected councils. She added that one of those at the meeting was Caroona Coal Action Group chairman Mr Doug Rankin.

The group is challenging the plans to mine coal and say it will damage groundwater aquifers and farming land.

Mr Rankin said that he raised several issues, but left without any company commitments. He added that "We as a community are calling for an independent catchments wide study. They took that on board, they acknowledged it but didn't give us any commitment.” He added that "The second issue, we stand united as a community that we wanted our access agreement on the table for discussion."