With CSG now a controversial political issue Narromine Mayor Bill McAnally said it was time the community made its views known.

Although council has not received any CSG drilling requests, NSW Trade & Investment, Resources and Energy is currently considering an application for a Petroleum Exploration Licence that covers the Narromine, Dubbo, Geurie, Dunedoo and Gulgong local government areas.

Last week the NSW Government announced a six-month freeze on the processing of new applications for exploration licences to allow an audit of existing CSG licences and a new assessment and allocation process.

With the Association of Mines Related Councils canvassing local councils to establish their policy position, Cr McAnally said it was time for Narromine Shire to determine its position.

"While the likelihood of a CSG operation is not known, and without placing undue concern on residents, it's time council considers the issues and reflects that in a policy position," Cr McAnally said.

"We appreciate that CSG has become a contentious political issue, particularly where the environmental impacts are concerned.

"There are varying opinions about the costs and benefits of CSG mining and individual landowner's rights, so it's important that we weigh up our views as a representative body.

"Council may not have enough evidence to establish a policy as yet, but we certainly need to start formulating our opinions and by having a workshop initially on the issues would be a good start, so hopefully council will agree to do this prior to developing a draft policy for community input."

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