Katrina Humphries, Moree mayor: “We get a $900,000 cheque from primary production each year. Who is going to pick up the tab and take liability if something goes wrong?”

Sarah Moles, Lock the Gates Alliance: “This new social movement is saying enough is enough. We want a level playing field and certainty that things we rely on are adequately protected.”

George Gates, NSW Office of Water director water management and implementation: “This is a large issue that we’re dealing with and we need to know how it’s going to fit with our water sharing plans. We need to make sure if any of this goes ahead, the management it has a minimal impact.”

Victoria Hamilton, Wee Waa: “I want the Narrabri, Walgett and Moree councils to combine against coal seam gas mining and exploration on their land. I certainly don’t want it.”

Jane Rohde, Gurley: “I’m concerned about how fumes, radiation and dust will affect us, for animal production, what goes into grain crops and most importantly human health and what our babies will be ingesting in the future.”

Fiona Simson, NSW Farmers’ Association: “It’s all about acceptable impacts to the community, strategic plans and legislation.”

Anne Kennedy, Great Artesian Basin Protection Group: “We heard assurances about asbestos from James Hardie years ago and people are still not getting compensation. We should call a moratorium and pause until you get the science right.”

Mike Montgomery, Moree councillor: “Council has said we don’t want to have exploration on the land which we control until we know what’s going on. Our water and our food is too important for the future."