This question was yesterday put to a forum of 80 community, local government and mining representatives in Narrabri, where 13 speakers explored the challenges and possibilities of the two industries.

After recognising that coal seam gas mining was an emerging issue 18 months ago, the Murray-Darling Association decided to organise the event and convene the forum.

Association president Ken Rogers said the association’s aim was to provide a forum where various stakeholders could offer their facts and fears and seek answers and understanding about the complex issue.

In a change of pace from last month’s food security forum in Gunnedah, where more than 600 angry farmers gathered to air their concerns about the coal seam gas mining industry and the loss of their “prime agricultural land”, yesterday’s assembly attempted to promote understanding and trust between farmers and miners.

Mining company Santos’ general manager, Andrew Kremor, spoke about “securing our future together”, suggesting that mining and agriculture could, in fact, co-exist.

Local government representatives included Narrabri mayor Robyn Faber, who spoke about the regional perspective, and Gunnedah mayor Adam Marshall, who spoke about “getting the balance right”. Member for New England Tony Windsor represented the federal government, while member for Barwon Kevin Humphries represented the state government and made the keynote speech. University of New England academics from the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law also released a new book, Defending the Social Licence of Farming, which outlines the issues affecting farmers today and how other nations have dealt with similar situations.