The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has called for public feedback on the proposal.

The modified proposal is significantly different to the much larger Coalpac Consolidation Project proposal that the agencywhich the agency recommended be refused in October.

That project application, which was withdrawn following P&I’s recommendation being published, had sought to extract 108 million tonnes of coal over 21 years in an area of high conservation significance.

The new proposal would allow Coalpac to extend its current operations for four years to extract an additional 9Mt of coal at its Invincible Colliery and Cullen Valley mines.

The proposal also seeks approval to complete the rehabilitation of areas disturbed by mining operations.

P&I will assess the modification proposal on its merits, with input from the community and key Government stakeholders, the spokesperson said.

Given the high level of community interest in the project, it is likely that the proposal will be determined by the independent Planning Assessment Commission.