And the incoming Coalition government should take note, the Hunter Environment Lobby warns.

Group spokeswoman Jan Davis said the election result, combined with a forum on the NSW Coal and Gas Strategy and Scoping Paper held earlier this month that attracted 500 people, sent a clear message about this issue’s importance.

The group has criticised the strategy and scoping paper as out of date, lacking data and supportive of more unregulated mining.

But the group was also concerned about the lack of detail available about the Coalition’s land use policy.

“The over-20 per cent vote on the weekend for the independent Tim Duddy on a no mining and no coal seam gas exploration ticket must attract the attention of the new government,” Ms Davis said.

“We expect that the Coalition government in NSW make this issue a priority and address the community concerns on the effects of mining on communities.

“The Liberal and National parties have developed a land use policy which would address many of the concerns of the group.

“However, no detail has been provided by the NSW opposition parties as to how the policy can be implemented in practice [now they are in government].”

Ms Davis was hopeful the new government would change the strategy and scoping study to reflect the Hunter Environment Lobby’s submission, which included a recommendation that the terms of reference be rewritten to support a transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable and sustainable land use.

The document is open for public comment.

“The NSW Coal and Gas Strategy and Scoping Paper failed to take into account key issues such as environmental monitoring and human health,” Ms Davis said.

“It describes as ‘emerging community concerns’ a range of important environmental impacts that have been central issues of concern for decades.

“This demonstrates that the NSW Department of Planning is out of touch with local concerns.”