This was part of the message delivered to the thirty four people who attended the Glen Innes Coal Seam Gas video and discussion evening last week.

Enaowyn O’Sirideain, a spokesperson for the newly formed group is, like most people battling for the protection of the land, outraged with the government’s handling of mining and exploration rights and believes if the community here is forewarned and therefore forearmed, the “catastrophe” that has occurred in the North West, the Pilliga and Liverpool Plains can be avoided here.

“According to area maps provided in the Draft Strategic Land Use Plan, (DSLUP) two thirds of the New England region has large gas reserves or other mining resources, primarily on agricultural land.

“There are areas around Emmaville that have been identified as being of interest as deposits of minerals and uranium has been found.

“It is an outrage what has happened to the people and their lands in the Pilliga and South East Queensland and there is no warranty that won’t happen here,” Enaowyn said.

For Glen Innes around an eighth of the Severn district has been deemed strategic agriculture land but excludes large tracts of farmlands mostly east and north of the township.

“At this point in time the granite cap we live on makes extraction of gas a difficult process though not at all impossible.

“However as the resources dwindle, nowhere will be left unscathed.

“We have a responsibility to manage our environment and our assets for all generations to come.

“This is an issue of vital national importance that will affect every Australian,” Enaowyn said.