"I'd much rather have this here than an open-cut coal mine," he said.

AGL found gas on the property two years ago, about 1500 metres beneath the surface.

The 7- by 10-metre pump system is now fenced off awaiting the next stage.

Mr Harris, 42, chose the well's location and received a $17,000 payment after signing an access agreement.

He also receives $4000 year on an ongoing basis.

"We are an energy-hungry world and it has got to come from somewhere," he said.

Although he supports coal seam gas development, Mr Harris said not all areas were suitable for gas extraction.

"They [the government] need to police where it is happening," he said.

"I'm not sure it would be good for an area like the Liverpool Plains."

His experience of coal seam gas exploration is also at odds with those in the Gloucester community concerned about the impact on groundwater.

"There is no groundwater around Gloucester," he said.

"You could have carted the water that came out of this well away in a wheelbarrow."

He said he had not received any adverse response from his support for coal seam gas exploration.

Matthew Kelly