BEACH Energy has moved to form an ongoing, direct relationship with primary industry groups in the South East at the newly formed SE Energy and Industry Roundtable.
The gas exploration company, which has drilled two test wells near Penola, sent letters to commodity groups inviting them to join the forum.
The first meeting was at Penola on Tuesday with representatives from the livestock, winegrape, horticulture, potato, pig, small seed and professional fishing industry present.
Aiming to understand the community's many questions and concerns - including potential groundwater contamination, industrialisation of the landscape and loss of the region's clean and green image - Beach offered to become more conciliatory.
Managing director Reg Nelson said his company had recognised the diverse range of industries in the Limestone Coast and wanted to engage with them in an open, honest and transparent manner.
"Our industry has worked together with others in the area for mutual benefit for more than 50 years, notably providing local natural gas from licensed production fields near Penola that Beach now owns," he said.
"This (the roundtable) is about looking at how can we work together in the future."
Mr Nelson said the roundtable would be independently chaired and set its own terms of reference.
"We want people to sit around a table and tease out their questions and concerns, and not only answer the questions but allow independent experts to respond to the views put forward," he said.
"Obviously there are some strong opinions, but this is about getting past the aspersions to the truth."
* Full report in Stock Journal, November 20, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
