Around 40 people concerned about the various issues and impacts from coal mining, gas exploration and power industries met last week for the gathering organised by Upper Hunter resident Bev Smiles.

Mrs Smiles wanted to bring the many groups together to get a better picture of the broad concerns.

Farmers,water users, conservationists and environmentalists who could be seen as traditionally having opposing views have been motivated to worked together to raise awareness and lobby for changed.

Representatives from the Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group were also in attendance.

Group representative Mrs Lyn MacBain said the need to develop a regional strategy was evident. The issues affecting each of the interest groups are diverse

“The impacts varied within the different areas of the Hunter but the outcome and support from this initial meeting was so positive that future meetings are planned,” Mrs MacBain said.

“The coming together to share information, support each other and make the smaller voices heard has to be a good thing for the whole Hunter Valley,” said Lyn MacBain.

“Many of us have worked for years to get government to listen, let's hope the recent announcement by the state government that a tough new interim assessment regime will now be applied to mining and coal seam gas extraction applications sees a way forward to reduce the conflicts and contestation between industry and community,” she said.