A core working group has been established to further investigate the proposed Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline, following a meeting of concerned Moree Plains Shire landholders last week.
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About 30 landholders who may be impacted by the proposed 820 kilometre high-pressure natural gas pipeline attended a meeting at Moree Town and Country Club on Thursday afternoon.
The meeting provided an opportunity for local people to find out more about the pipeline project - which is earmarked to run from Queensland's gas hub at Wallumbilla, near Roma, to Newcastle, via Moree and the Hunter Valley - and put forward any questions they have about it.
One of the main concerns raised at the meeting was the impact that hosting a high-pressure gas pipeline might have on landholders' properties, as well as neighbouring properties.
A representative from Inland Rail was also in attendance to find out more about the pipeline.
Moree businesswoman and co-organiser of the meeting, Kerrie Matchett said everyone was really grateful for the information provided and unanimously agreed that a working group should be formed.
Ms Matchett is one of five people to form the core working group.
"That was essentially our aim, to find out whether people wanted more information and to move forward and work together," she said.
"It was very encouraging to see everyone want to be a part of something that will help unpack a lot of information and mis-information. We all want to know a bit more and still have a lot of questions."
The working group will have its first meeting tomorrow, with the first step to nut out formalities before the real work can begin.
The group will be neutral, with the purpose of gathering information about the pipeline and collating the concerns and questions of the Moree community.
In the meantime, the Pipe Dreams: Fractured Lives documentary will be screened in Moree at the start of April, as part of a regional tour.
The documentary follows South Australian farmer David Smith's journey for answers about the impacts of gas extraction, which sees him travel to the US and across Australia talking to people affected by the shale fracking industry, as well as world experts.
Mr Smith will be in Moree to talk about the impact of unconventional gas. The film will be screened at 3pm on Saturday, April 4 at the Max Centre.
For tickets, go to www.trybooking.com/BIRXX
