Hume Coal mine would threaten water and net just $6m in royalties a year for NSW

Locals told proposed mine in the southern highlands of NSW, part of Sydney's water catchment, would damage water table in the region for as long as 73 years

A controversial underground coalmine that will threaten the water supply of 71 landowners in NSW's southern highlands will net the state government just $120m over two decades, locals have been told.

A multinational steelmaker, Korea-based Posco, is seeking approval for an underground coalmine near Berrima in the southern highlands of New South Wales, part of Sydney's drinking-water catchment.