The forum will start at 1.30pm at the Johns River Hall, and will include panellists Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams, Greater Taree City mayor Paul Hogan, Dr Gary Ellem (University of Newcastle, Environment Institute), Peter Epov (Mid Coast Regional Council of Alliances), Deborah Willis (NSW Farmers Association executive councillor) and Peter Alley (former Labor candidate, Port Macquarie electorate).

A number of government departments have been invited but have yet to confirm.

A previous Q&A Forum at the Johns River Community Hall earlier this year focused on policing, roads and signage.

December's Q&A forum will be dedicated entirely to one topic: coal seam gas.

A spokesperson said this sometimes emotive issue has become a number-one topic across rural and regional NSW, with nearby operations at both Gloucester and Gunnedah, both two and three hours away. Exploration licences have been granted in the Manning up to South Brother Mountain, and the levels of community concern have only been rising with rallies taking place in Taree, Port Macquarie and elsewhere on the Mid North Coast.

Hosted by the Three Brothers Network, the JRCPA, and the Johns River Community Hall,the Coal Seam Gas Q&A Forum is a unique opportunity for the issue to be explored from all perspectives, addressing viewpoints from the community, and from panellists and representatives and speakers from industry, government and academia.

The organisers are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has had direct experience in coal seam gas exploration, extraction or site rehabilitation, and have also invited representatives of mining companies to attend.

The afternoon has been described as a "grass roots" forum for the benefit of the wider community, and is open to all residents of the Mid North Coast.

Preferred seating will be provided for primary producers and nominated community groups listed in the latest edition of the Johns River Journal. A number of these groups have been asked to submit at least one question about coal seam gas mining for the panellists, not later than December 5, to csg@3bn.com.au or by dropping it off at the Moorland Post Office or Rosie's in Johns River.

Moderating the events on the stage will be David Shepard, with the assistance on the floor of facilitators David Freeman and Chris Bawn.