The ICAC is a no-go area in Bylong Valley THE Bylong Valley general store is neutral territory. The store in the beautiful valley, a couple of hours drive north-west of Sydney, was full at lunch time on Monday with drillers from coal companies, farmers and grey nomads passing through. And everybody who comes in wants to speak about the ICAC inquiry. But co-owner of the store Jodie Nancarrow has declared the topic out of bounds. "We made the shop neutral territory because we don't want people feuding or punching each other out, that sort of caper," she told AAP. If you want to talk about coal mining, do it at home. Ms Nancarrow, a resident here since 1979 and owner of the store with Jayne Watson for nearly 12 years, was previously president of the Bylong Valley Protection Alliance, which was formed after residents discovered the area was targeted for coal mining. But she resigned from that position so she could do business with a whole spectrum of people. However, she has given evidence at the inquiry. "I believe Bylong Valley is God's own country," she said. My father used to call it Paradise Valley. The land was so fertile and perfect for horse breeding that her father never needed to hand feed his horses, she said. I just wish they'd go away and leave us alone. As far as Eddie Obeid is concerned, "He's just trying to look after his family," she said., "but there's no thought for the people who live in Bylong."