The NSW Planning Department has received about 50 public submissions on the $355million project, with developers joining residents angry over the potential impact of noise and vibrations from the 30 kilometres of track.

Most submissions express concern about the federal stimulus-funded project’s environmental impact on proposed and existing housing in burgeoning areas such as Rutherford, Farley and Lochinvar.

The federally owned Australian Rail Track Corporation is planning the ‘‘third rail line’’ project with its ‘‘Hunter 8 Alliance’’ partners, John Holland and GHD.

Likely to be affected are proposals that include the McCloy Group’s $180million Heritage Green 450-lot subdivision planned for Rutherford, the Anvil Creek development at Greta of 1364 housing lots, a golf course and tourist precinct, and Hardie Taree’s plans for a motel and tourism development near Singleton.

The Farley Landowners Group said the 140-hectare Farley investigation area, marked for up to 1500 residential lots, had been left out of detailed noise considerations.

Developers and residents said the proponents had not committed to specific noise mitigation measures and some questioned the technical robustness of the project’s noise predictions.

Coal train operator Pacific National also argued the track project proponent’s plans to compulsorily acquire land near Greta could jeopardise its plans for a $110million coal train provisioning centre in the area.

Several developers expressed frustration that attempts to meet the track corporation had been unsuccessful.

Maitland City Council outlined concern that the effects on the Farley, Rutherford and Lochinvar had not been adequately explored.

A track corporation spokesman said yesterday it was preparing a report that would address the concerns raised in the submissions.

He declined to comment before the response was lodged with the planning department, which was expected to occur soon.