Calls for prime agricultural land to be protected from coal mining will be considered by the State Government, but landholders have been warned that such measures could come at a price.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told landholders at a mining summit at Dalby on Friday that the Queensland Government would seriously consider their requests to protect some areas of "iconic" farm land from mining developments.
But he added that landholders should realise that any form of protection would have other consequences.
"In certain parts of Queensland, people are saying to me, well why can't I divide my cane farm for residential housing?" Mr Lucas said.
"Well, if it was iconic land, it would be a bit hard to say one moment you want to protect it for food production, and then for a different use.
"It is often better to have a degree of flexibility, however, people have legitimately and in good faith made suggestions and they deserve the Government to seriously consider them so that's what we will do."
One sticking point on the issue of protection relates to the question of how prime agricultural land is defined.
Mr Lucas said there was clearly no universal agreement yet but said farmers at Dalby had presented him with some good ideas to get the ball rolling.
The depth of feeling surrounding the impact of mining on agriculture was reflected in the size of the crowds that arrived to meet with the deputy premier at both forums last week.
At Dalby organisers put out 150 chairs but at least another 100 people filled the standing areas at the rear of the room.
* A special report on the coal versus farming debate will appear in Queensland Country Life, November 27 edition.
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