Of the six complaints, four were related to trucking operations, one to dust pollution and the other to water pollution.

A public hearing was held by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission on the Preferred Project Report for the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project Pt3A approval application prior to releasing its merit Review Report on the proposal.

The PAC released its second merit Review Report on March 31.

“Wollongong Coal is reviewing the findings, conclusion and recommendation of the report and preparing a response strategy,” the company said.

Turning to Wollongong Coal’s Wongawilli colliery, a report outlining preventative measures has been submitted to regulators during the June quarter.

“The report was related to three very minor environmental events occurred during the last quarter,” the company said.

“The current Pt3A approval has been extended until 2020 to allow extraction of the remaining approved coal blocks in the Nebo and Elouera areas.

“All subsidiary environmental approvals have been sought and obtained to allow extraction to commence in the first quarter if FY2016-17.”