Coal hunt at Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's Australian retreat

NICOLE Kidman's rural idyll is set to be shattered, with plans for a coal exploration test bore nearby.

Bunya Hill

NICOLE Kidman's multi-million-dollar rural idyll is set to be shattered, with plans for a coal exploration test bore on the front and rear borders of her Sutton Forest property.

It is understood Korean-owned Cockatoo Coal will begin drilling 120 holes and has advised the 424 land owners in the area, including Kidman and husband Keith Urban.

Many residents have strongly objected, fearing the potential mining will not only destroy the area's peace but also contaminate underground water reserves.

Kidman and Urban paid $6.5 million for the 1878 Georgian mansion Bunya Hill in 2008, but now reside mainly in Tennessee. The celebrity pair could not be contacted yesterday but the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group has vowed to fight drilling and mining in the area.

"We are pushing very hard, not to destroy gas and coal mining but, for goodness sakes, don't do it in sensitive areas," co-ordinator Tim Frost said.

"The exploration holes are only in an area of 500sq m but you have the trucks, tankers, coming into the area and disrupting life. The drilling program will take about a year and will tell them where to mine and drill. Quite simply, we don't want them to mine."