By Star Weekly
A mining company has sought to renew a licence to search for coal beds in a 76,000-hectare area spanning parts of Hobsons Bay.
The licence expired last week after being held for 12 years. Regal Resources has submitted an application to the Department of Primary Industries to have the exploration licence rolled over.
The licence area covers residential areas of Altona, Altona Meadows and Williamstown. Anti-coal activists have slammed the move, claiming it proves the company is serious about long-term mining plans.
DPI spokesman Alex White said the miner had so far used the permit to carry out exploratory drilling for presence of brown coal.
