Farmer Pat Murphy and his family moved to their 'dream property' at Maules Creek in New South Wales seven years ago.
They were optimistic about the future, with plans to sub-divide their farm, run sheep and grow crops including barley and wheat.
The location was close to towns and a school for their young children.
But life changed dramatically for the Murphy family when exploration for an open-cut coal mine began right next door, just a year after they'd arrived in the area.
Now that the mine is operating, Pat Murphy claims that he and his family are being affected by noise, dust and blast fumes.
He says he wants to move, but that state government regulations have left him in limbo.
