The film revealed the damage being caused to groundwater supplies by coal seam gas and the detrimental health effects to people in the areas where gas extraction was occurring.

After the screening, John Thompson of the Lock the Gate Alliance spoke to the audience and answered questions.

Mr Thompson said gas was being extracted from coal seams in the western states of the USA and this was similar to proposals for the Upper Hunter.

It was also shown that although coal seam gas produced far less carbon dioxide than coal for the end user, the initial extraction resulted in the release of much more intensive greenhouse gases.

For example, “fugitive emissions” that escaped from gas wells during extraction were largely methane, 24 times more intense a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

In other words, one tonne of methane was equivalent to 24 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“The myth that CSG is clean and green is completely busted,” one audience member said.

During the meeting, it was advised that landholders should not allow access to their properties by gas company representatives and that any negotiations should be undertaken at another location with a witness present.

In order to avoid community conflict, neighbours should keep each other informed of any approaches by gas company personnel.