The group asked Mr Robertson and Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr to make some noise about the issue in Parliament.

Acting president of Lovedale Chamber of Commerce Robyn Gill said she was happy with the outcome of yesterday’s meeting where locals stressed that tourism and coal seam gas exploration could not coexist.

‘‘The exploration will have a huge effect on our area, on its economy, employment and it’s ugly,’’ Ms Gill said.

‘‘Mr Robertson and Mr Barr don’t have a huge vote in Parliament, but they can make a lot of noise.’’

Mr Robertson said the state government should suspend all coal seam gas exploration licences covering the Hunter Region.

‘‘Until more conclusive scientific evidence is available, we need to hit the pause button on this industry,’’ he said.

Mr Barr is a member of Labor’s Coal Seam Gas Taskforce, which has been touring NSW to better understand the issues at stake.

‘‘I don’t want to see any coal seam gas mining go ahead in the Hunter if there is a chance it would damage our prime agricultural land and ground water, ’’ Mr Barr said.