The battle to keep the Macquarie Marshes mining-free is not yet over.

Despite a rejection of the Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings’ approval to undertake exploratory drilling for copper and gold in the wetland reserve, the company has a second chance to answer the Natural Resources Regulator's questions and submit further evidence in support of their application. 

With the deadline set for tomorrow afternoon (Friday 23 August), local landholders and environment groups who have vehemently opposed the proposed drilling are on tenterhooks waiting for an outcome.

The exploration activity was initially approved in April of this year. 

The application was overturned on 25 July, to the relief of landholders and the NSW Nature Conservation Council (NCC). 

The NSW Resources Regulator claimed that they were not provided with all the relevant and accurate information, making that decision was invalid. 

“Accordingly, the prospecting approvals (APOs) have been voided and have no legal effect,” a spokesperson for NSW Resources said.  

“In order to provide procedural fairness, the applicant has been given the opportunity to provide further information for assessment by the Resources Regulator,” the spokesperson added. 

Macquarie Marshes IMAGE: Leanne Hall

Initially the company were given ten days to provide additional information, then a second deadline was set for this Friday 23 August.

Landholders at the proposed site, Garry and Leanne Hall, say they’re “in a bit of a holding pattern” while they wait to see what is revealed.

“We’re just expecting an answer, an outcome or a response after Friday,” Mrs Hall told the Coonamble Times.

“There’s nothing we can do because we don’t know which way it’s going to go.”

 The proposed drilling attracted widespread interest from environment groups stunned at the initial approval.

They too are now waiting to see what the Resources Regulator does next.

“We would have preferred the government to ban mining exploration in the wetlands,” Water Campaigner Mel Grey from the NCC said. 

“It’s disappointing that they didn’t but if they do try again, they must do an environmental impact statement and the community will be very engaged in that process.” 

The drilling site would be right next to the Ramsar-listed, protected nature reserve. 

The Macquarie Marshes is one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetlands in Southern Australia and a vital space for wildlife, such as brolgas, magpie geese, painted snipe, and many more species. 

The Marshes and the Macquarie River also serve as a nursery for native fish.

Opponents say drilling could cause irreparable damage to the wetlands.