As a result of the significant issues arising from the forum, coupled with the growing concern in the Manning Valley and Gloucester areas, particularly relating to water quality and landholders rights, Paton Hooke is joining forces with NSW Farmers Association to ensure better access for the community to current information regarding CSG and exploration generally on the Mid North Coast, Mr Paton said.

"We are in the process of arranging a forum in both Gloucester and Taree to be hosted by the NSW Farmers Association and Paton Hooke at which a number of industry, government and private sector experts will address the community. It is likely the forum will take place in September."

There has been a proliferation of licences granted for exploration in NSW, not only for coal seam gas but other minerals and precious stones, Mr Paton said.

"The ramifications from the grant of exploration licences can impact greatly on landholders.

"This impact can be reduced if a proper understanding of the legal issues is communicated to landholders at the outset and landholders are afforded the opportunity, at the mining and gas companies' expense, to explore the risks and negotiate a fair and mutually acceptable approach."

One area identified of particular importance is the negotiation of Access Arrangements between the landholders and the licence holder under the Mining Act or the Petroleum (Onshore) Act.

The forum in Sydney noted the importance of landholders becoming aware that they do have rights in relation to the nature and extent of access which mining companies may seek to adopt in order to access their property for exploration or production purposes.

These rights need to be explained and understood by the landholders, Mr Paton said.

The forum also examined the need for industry to be open and transparent in its dealings with the communities in the areas in which it seeks to explore.

Paton Hooke and a small group of other lawyers predominantly from western NSW who attended the forum are working in conjunction with the NSW Farmers Association, the NSW Mineral Council, government and industry representatives to find solutions that can alleviate landholder concerns.

"This is important because it is acknowledged that water resources, agriculture and environment protection are of vital significance and that the search for energy resources will need to be conducted with this in mind," Mr Paton said.

Although industry representatives during the forum indicated that on current estimates there is over 250 years of natural gas supply in Australia which will provide Australia with cleaner and more secure energy production, given the importance of the impact that such exploration licences and production leases may have upon the Mid North Coast and hinterland, the NSW Farmers Association is concerned to ensure that such opportunity is not explored to the detriment of farming and regional communities and the environment itself, he said.

Any persons wanting to register an expression of interest in attending the proposed forum or have current concerns regarding their own properties should contact Paton Hooke Lawyers on 6551 0355.