Representatives from the council, companies Planet Gas, AGL and Santos, community and environment bodies, water experts and land holders gave and listened to presentations over the past two days.

Merriwa Healthy Environment Group, Santos and AGL also set up information tables.

About 80 people attended on Monday and 30 yesterday, interested in issues such as the impact on water from coal seam gas exploration.

“Both views from mining companies and community concerns have been heard,” Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said.

“People are intent on listening to the speakers and learning as much as they personally can.”

Santos spokesman Sam Crafter took part in a panel discussion with both pro- and anti-gas proponents and gave a presentation on the company’s activities in the Upper Hunter Shire.

“It’s very much in the early stages of exploration,” Mr Crafter said.

He described the forum as “valuable in enabling a whole cross-section of people to discuss issues of coal and coal seam gas in the region”.

“Everyone was keen to find out more about what we do and ask us the difficult questions. It was good they came to the table and asked about the issues they are concerned about,” Mr Crafter said.

Results from the forum will feed into council policy.

“Councillors will meet next week and discuss it, as well as our study trips to Gunnedah, Narrabri, and the Queensland towns of Dalby and Roma,” Cr Watts said.