Opponents of the coal seam gas industry are preparing to ramp up protest activities in the Tweed Shire.

The local branch of Lock the Gate said the transfer of a petroleum exploration licence between Arrow Energy and Dart Energy had been finalised.

Spokesman Michael McNamara said LTG members are on alert following reports that staff from a Dart subsidiary, Macquarie Energy, have been sent to the state's north to start work.

He said more blockades are almost inevitable.

"It's likely to come that way, into non-violent direct action," he said.

"Non-violent opposition is a democratic right, and we certainly are committed to non-violent direct action in relation to these proposed drilling activities.

The communities have said very strongly that they do not want the development of these gas fields in these areas, and the community is entitled to stand in defence of itself when the government has abandoned it," Mr McNamara said.

That could put the Tweed in position as the next battleground in the region's war over coal seam gas.

"We'll be talking with communities about the latest developments, about the government turning its back on the democratic process and the democratically expressed wishes of this community," Mr McNamara said.