Manning Alliance chairman, Peter Epov and Manning Clearwater Action Group president Karl Bayer have reached an in-principle agreement to jointly co-operate and implement a number of key strategies in this fight.

"Our discussions have been very fruitful and positive," Mr Epov said. "We share a very important common goal. We don't want CSG drilling in the Manning Valley.

"The cleanwater group has been doing some excellent work in promoting awareness to the imminent dangers of CSG to the Manning Valley and it is now critical that we work in close collaboration with all groups that are opposing CSG."

The two groups represent a combined active membership of more than 500 Manning Valley residents. Both Manning Alliance and Manning Clean Water Action Group (MCWAG) see the CSG industry as a threat to the water quality.

"MCWAG believe the future of the Manning Valley lies in agriculture and tourism, also offering an attractive clean green environment where people can live," president Karl Bayer said. "The industrialisation through CSG mining threatens all of this.

"We are delighted that we will be working with the Manning Alliance on this critical issue for our community."

Projects will be announced very shortly, Mr Epov said. The Manning Alliance was formed after a series of meetings around the Wingham area, attended by about 300 landholders, to discuss concerns about coal seam gas mining in the valley.