The $3.6 billion plan to sink as many as 850 coal seam gas wells in and around the Pilliga State Forest west of Narrabri was given conditional approval by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on Wednesday morning.

Ms Cutmore, a Native Title Applicant for the Gomeroi Nation from Moree, said it was a sad day.

"I'm very upset over it," she said through tears.

"I feel the heartache for my people and I'm just reminded of all the blood that's been shed and all the blood that continues to be shed.

"It feels as through we're getting raped and murdered again. They'll never listen to us."

However, Ms Cutmore, who was one of hundreds of people to speak out against the project during the record seven-day public hearing, vowed to continue to fight against the project and was already in meetings with Narrabri Traditional Owners about where to go from here.

"We are still fighting; it's a big fight now," she said.

"We need everyone behind us. It's the artesian basin that's in danger. We don't want to drink poison and we don't want to bathe in it.

"The Pilliga is and always will be Gomeroi land and Santos is not welcome there. We are the Native Title holders and they still need our approval.

"It's not over. Gomeroi people still say no and I say no.

"We will never stop fighting to protect the Pilliga and protect Gomeroi country from coal seam gas."

Garah grazier Helen Carrigan, who also spoke at the IPC hearing in July, said she was disappointed by the IPC decision.

"My first thought when I heard the news is 'how disappointing'," she said.

"I feel sorry for the many landholders in the area who are going to be affected, but also the ongoing implications this will bring.

"It's the threat to the artesian basin. In Garah, we're reliant on the capped bore and pipe system which is the artesian basin system. This is drilling straight through that. It will affect the basin."

Ms Carrigan is a representative of the Moree Plains Gas Pipeline Group, made up of landholders who will be directly impacted by the proposed Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline which would be used to transport gas from the Narrabri Gas Project.

She said the decision to approve the Narrabri Gas Project makes it more likely that the Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline will also go ahead.

"But we'll do everything we can to stop it ... we'll give it a good fight," she said.

Ms Carrigan said the Hunter Gas Pipeline group is currently making initial contact with landholders to let them know their plans, and urges all people affected to know their rights.

"They can say no," she said.

NSW Farmers have also expressed disappointment in the decision to approve the Narrabri Gas Project, fearing it poses an "unacceptable risk" to the water resources, soil and air quality, local food and fibre production and rural communities in western New South Wales.

"This is a disappointing decision from the IPC," NSW Farmers president James Jackson said.

"Our members have indicated very clearly that they have no appetite for risk to their precious water sources.

"Our members do not believe that any conditions imposed on the approval of this project make it acceptable.

"Security of groundwater and other water sources and protection of important agricultural land is of paramount importance to farmers. Our members are concerned and they cannot support any activity that could pose a risk to the precious Great Artesian Basin and other water sources."

Meanwhile, Narrabri Shire Council has welcomed the decision, and the state's peak business organisation said the Santos project "must be the first of many" to create jobs during the current recession.

"Today's decision by the IPC to give the green light to the Narrabri Gas Project will be cheered by every business in NSW that depends on gas to power their business and keep thousands of people in their jobs," Business NSW Regional Manager Joe Townsend said.

"It's now vitally important that Santos be allowed to get on with building this project and supplying gas to the market as soon as possible to ensure that we have a reliable and affordable supply of gas in NSW by 2025 - that's when the AEMO's has projected we face a shortfall if no action is taken to increase supply."

Santos has also welcomed the decision and accepts the conditions proposed by the IPC.

CEO Kevin Gallagher said Santos will now work with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment as it considers its recommendation to the Minister on EPBC Act approval.

"The IPC outcome confirms that we have relied upon the best science to ensure that the Narrabri Gas Project can be developed safely and sustainably," he said.

"We are committed to now delivering on our promise to protect the environment and water resources as we proceed with project development."