A MINING company has broken Somerset Regional Council's moratorium on the industry and raised concerns for the Wivenhoe catchment and Brisbane's drinking water.

Mayor Graeme Lehmann said exploration would occur in the next six months despite the council passing a resolution two years ago to oppose coal seam gas and mining in the local government area.

The mayor said the opposition to the industry was based on the rural and agriculture-based lifestyle of the area as well as its position in the Wivenhoe Dam catchment.

Floods in recent years seriously affected central Queensland coal mines, which were forced to release big quantities of water contaminated with salt into the environment.

"We would hate to see anything happen in the catchment,'' Cr Lehmann said. "We are hoping we might be able to put some conditions but as far as stopping it I don't think we have too much power."

"There has always been a great deal of concern in the local and broader community about the potential impacts of coal exploration and the impacts it could have on our region."

"I've had meetings with the Deputy Premier (Jeff Seeney) on this and he said it was not under out control and as much as we might not be in favour at the end of the day it is a State Government decision.''

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The resolution adopted by council said it would oppose coal and gas development and also support landowners in the area to oppose it.

Coalbank Limited was not available for comment.

The issue is a significant one for councils across Queensland because they have little say in resources development, including the development of massive camps that are home to hundreds of workers and can be a significant drain on resources.

The State Government recently took control of planning for Moranbah from the Isaac Regional Council over accommodation at a fly-in, fly-out mining camp in Moranbah.

The State Government said Somerset was included in the area covered by the SEQ Regional Plan which is under review.

But a spokesman also pointed out that exploration may not lead to mining with about one in 1000 exploration permits developing into mining.