The Food Security Forum was put together at short notice by the pro-agriculture groups: Caroona Coal Action Group, SOS (Save Our Soils) Liverpool Plains and the Mullaley Gas Pipeline Group.

Chaired by talkback radio identity, Alan Jones, the open forum was aimed at building awareness and fuelling the political fight.

Headers and tractors were parked outside the entry to the hall where landholders held a peaceful rally, holding signs such as “AGL go to hell” and “No gas in Murray Darling Basin water”.

The grim reaper himself made an appearance reinstating the damning message.

Among the official speakers were retired QC, Robert Hunter, former Coonabarabran Rural Fire Service captain, Milton Judd, and Dr Pauline Roberts, who spoke widely about the health impacts of extractive industries.

Hunter Valley-based Dr Roberts said the denial of health issues by the mining companies was on the scale of tobacco companies.

Mr Judd (not speaking on behalf of the RFS) said his volunteers would not risk their lives in the Pilliga if coal seam gas extraction should expand.

“I can’t speak on behalf of the RFS but I know how the members feel,” he said.

One of the key people in pulling together the forum was chair of the Caroona Coal Action Group coal seam gas committee, Rosemary Nankivell, who is also a local dryland farmer.

Mrs Nankivell said the event was about sending a clear message to politicians.

“Our really valuable water resources have to be protected at all costs,” she said.

“They have to keep in mind our future food needs – they’re asking our farmers to produce 70pc more food by 2050 on ag lands that are being taken up by extractive industries.”