In a week when the Abbott government ratcheted up attacks on "vigilante litigation" by environment groups it declared were sabotaging Australia's economic future by challenging mega coal mines in the courts, its Coalition counterparts in NSW appeared more like foes than allies.

Rather than rubber-stamp plans to expand two controversial coal mines – one near Lithgow and the other in the Hunter Valley – the Baird government ordered the Planning Assessment Commission to conduct an additional review of both projects replete with public hearings.

NSW Premier Mike Baird (with Planning Minister Rob Stokes, left) talks to locals in Bulga. Credit:Marina Neil

The NSW Minerals Council was appalled, telling one newspaper the extra review of the Springvale underground coal mine extension was a "bureaucratic farce" and the "latest sad example of how the [Baird] government has chosen to pander to environmental activist groups".

Rio Tinto, which continues to press for an expansion of its Mount Thorley Warkworth open-cut mine despite two major legal defeats, said the additional oversight "created a great deal of uncertainty for everyone involved" after six years of battling to win approval.