Principal solicitor Kirsty Ruddock said she believed a significant number of projects had been put on hold while the new laws were clarified.

Under the new Part 4 laws, all forms of coal seam gas (both exploration and production) will need approval.

‘‘Before [under Part 3A] it was only for certain areas, but now you need it for everything. We think that’s where the backlog will occur,’’ Ms Ruddock said.

‘‘A lot of communities are very concerned about what it means.’’

A Department of Planning spokesman said it was not possible to predict how many coal seam gas applications would come to the department because of the new planning regulations.

The coal seam gas rush is proving to be a boom for sections of the legal fraternity that is providing advice and services to concerned farmers.

A relatively small number of lawyers specialise in the coal seam gas industry.

Ms Ruddock said the Environmental Defenders Office was working with farmers and communities across the state that were dealing with coal seam gas issues.