Mullaley Gas Pipeline Accord (MGPA) chairman David Quince said the forum succeeded in its intention of showcasing the groups threatened by mining expansion throughout the Liverpool Plains. These included the MGPA, SOS Liverpool Plains and the Caroona Coal Action Group (CCAG).

According to Mr Quince, these groups had attracted the widespread attention of other farming groups from Lismore and Casino, Broke, the Upper Hunter, Coonamble, Mittagong and Gloucester ? all areas under threat from mining.

"This is an issue that applies to everyone, not just farmers," Mr Quince said.

He conceded coal mining had always been economically beneficial to the area, but his committee hoped agriculture and mining could co-exist without the disastrous outcomes seen in the Hunter.

Coal seam gas, he said, would never co-exist with agriculture.

At the forum, speakers spoke of the fight against mining expansion in Queensland, particularly on the Darling Downs, something Mr Quince said had to be avoided in this region.

"We have so little agricultural country that it needs to be protected at all costs," he said.

CCAG's coal seam gas committee chairwoman Rosemary Nankivell said the forum found a champion in host Alan Jones.

"Alan brought an awareness to the extent of the rape and pillage of land in Queensland," Mrs Nankivell said.

She said the Liverpool Plains was regarded as the next Darling Downs and without the forum, people would not have been made aware of the total disregard of the rights of farmers and the overuse of water resources by CSG exploration.

Mrs Nankivell said prominent speakers such as former Supreme Court judge and Willow Tree farmer Bob Hunter and Senator Bill Heffernan from Goulburn were now powerful allies.

SOS Liverpool Plains president Kirrily Blomfield believed the forum had reignited people's passion for the cause.

"There was a realisation on a much greater level," Ms Blomfield said.

What would happen next, she said, was taking the message to the cities because "this is everybody's problem now".

CCAG chairman Sandy Blomfield said it was good to know so many people were united behind the cause.

He said the forum exposed a lack of government help, but he hoped the politicians were listening now.