The Highlands action group wants the government to release details of discussions between a former NSW government minister and Hume Coal’s Korean parent company POSCO held in Seoul in November 2012, before the March 2013 renewal of the Hume Coal Mine lease area A349.

The call for transparency came after Hume Coal lodged its development application and Environmental Impact Statement with the NSW Department of Planning.

Battle for Berrima has written to the NSW government seeking access to the records but has been told it must make a Government Information Public Access (GIPA) or Freedom of Information request.

In March 2013 former NSW Resources Minister Chris Hartcher renewed Hume Coal’s lease over the A349 exploration area.

Before the lease was renewed Mr Hartcher made an official visit to South Korea in November 2012 and met with POSCO executives in Seoul.

Battle for Berrima wants the NSW government to release any and all records of discussions that took place in South Korea in November 2012, ahead of the 2013 renewal of the mine lease.

A Battle for Berrima spokesperson said the request for public access to the detail of ‘behind closed door’ discussions was critical, with Hume Coal seeking a further renewal of the A349 exploration lease.

With the Environmental Impact Statement lodged, Hume Coal Project Director Greig Duncan said the EIS documents would soon be on public exhibition.

He said the lodgement would be the start of an unprecedented information and consultation program in the Southern Highlands.