One is the mining operator itself, the other is the numerous landholders that surround the mine site and have been despairing of the plumes of dust that have been raised from the dry surface of the tailings dam.

Landholders also hold concerns about what any future expansion of the mine could have on valuable and limited water resources.

Those landholders now plan on forming the Cadia District Protection Group to, as acting secretary and nearby grazing land owner Gem Green says, bring agriculture into the discussion.

"The level of expansion that Newcrest want to take Cadia to with their 50 year plan, what does that look like in regards to natural resources?" she asked.

Ms Green said that there is genuine interest from people to protect landscape, environment, livelihoods and lifestyles, and that by the group actively participating in Cadia's Enhancement Project, there's capacity to protect, support and promote the area.

"We want to ensure ongoing conversations with Newcrest as to how we can both work and live together for agriculture and mining," she said.

"We're not living under any fantasy that the mine will disappear, and we don't want it to, it is of absolute value to the region, we just want to know how we can do this better."

Ms Green said that many landholders are deeply concerned as to the inter-generational implications of a mine with a 50 year lifespan.

"We know about the sheer amount of water they use even if they recycle it. Will water be that depleted? Will future generations want to work on the land?"

Being able to access professional and expert opinions as an organisation and not as an individual is another reason the landholders wish to form a collective group.

"We can gather expert opinions on a number of subjects and we can be proactive, be positive, to engage in dialogue and conversation with Cadia and receive feedback from them, which is the bit that's been missing from them."

Ms Green believes that Newcrest is in a position to work with the landholders in a way unlike many other mining companies.

"Newcrest is in a position where they can have their cake and eat it too," she said.

"Should they think a bit more creatively, rather than just being so by-the-book, they could be like no other mining company on the planet.

"This is an opportunity for agriculture to step into the arena asking questions, engaging with them, asking how do we create sustainability for all of us here with such a massive giant in mining next door."

The inaugural meeting of the Cadia District Protection Group is on Sunday, June 6 at the Panuara Tennis Club.

RSVP or get more information by emailing secretary.cdpg@gmail.com before June 4.

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