The community of Narrabri in north-western New South Wales is more divided than ever over plans for a massive coal seam gas project in the Pilliga State Forest.

Hundreds of local farmers downed tools last night to take advantage of a rare opportunity to share their concerns at a meeting in the town.

The NSW Government's plans to fast-track CSG production in the Pilliga is causing unease, particularly among those who farm just a few kilometres away.

Below some of the best agricultural land in the state, lies an estimated $2 billion of gas.

It is being touted as the saviour of the state's looming energy shortage, and a lifeline to towns such as Narrabri struggling to generate jobs.

The project could supply up to 50 per cent of NSW's gas needs if it goes ahead.

Farmer Angus Hamilton was among the more than 600 locals who gathered in Narrabri last night to voice their concerns.

"I came here because I'm worried about our water: it's supply and the quality of it and that we'll be living in an industrial wasteland," Mr Hamilton said.

"We're very concerned this industry is undermining an existing agricultural industry," said another farmer at the meeting, Penny Blatchford.

It is a classic battle between farming and industry, old and new, and this fight is uniting people who barely had cause to speak with each other before.

They share a deep distrust of the energy giant Santos, which is already exploring for gas in the region.

"We're punching enough holes in the Great Artesian Basin that we're turning it into a sieve," said farmer Brett Findlay.

"That's allowing petrochemicals, salt and dirty water to percolate around through our groundwater."

His claim is disputed by Santos, which says there is no proof its gas drilling will destroy the aquifer and that residents are being misinformed.

There are also those within the town who say that, thanks to Santos, business is booming and that it is finally giving young people a reason to stay.

"Any small country town is always searching for options when it comes to keeping our youth in town; employment for locals, and professional employment, and that's what this is giving us," said local businessman Ron Campbell, whose waste disposal company does work for Santos.

Some even say that farmers are being selfish and underestimate the damage they already do to the land.

"We understand there are some people who have concerns they would like addressed, but we are confident we have a strong level of support in the community," Santos said in a statement.

"Santos has always said we will only drill wells where landholders are happy to host our activities and won’t be accessing land without landholders’ consent. We also have no plans to frack in the area.”

Advocates for CSG say it is giving young people in the region a reason to stay. ( Photo: www.abc.net.au/news )

One of the complications of this dispute is the way land rights are managed.

Farmers only own the topsoil on which they grow their crops and cattle. They do not own the rights to what is below.

It means a company can drill wells under privately held property without the owner's compliance.

One local says that frustration with unsympathetic politicians is even forcing some farmers to switch alliances from the National Party to the Greens.

For many in the rural north-western plains it would have once been an unpalatable alliance.

US farmer John Fenton, who was flown to Narrabri by the Greens to talk to locals, says this region is setting an example of how people can stand up to government and big business.

Mr Fenton is a poster-boy for anti-CSG farmers after his land was overtaken by industry.

The alfalfa farmer says his land in Pavillion, Wyoming is now worth "zero" because of the soil and water pollution that took place when gas extractors were granted access to the resources beneath him.

"White middle class people are finding out what it's like to be black and poor, or to be Native Americans pushed off their land," he said.

Santos says it will not be drilling where it is not welcome, and that gives its critics hope.

Activists are telling farmers to lock their gates en masse to send a message to Santos that the company is not wanted.

But money may yet talk. There are farmers who say they would consider leaving the land for the right price.

"Some people say everyone's got their price," Mr Findlay said.

"But I know quite a few people here, you couldn't pay them enough to risk the farms that they love."