SBEG chairman, John Cotter, says Roma landholders' representative Peter Thompson will lead a working group to establish grounds for well monitoring agreements that minimise the footprint of gas companies on affected properties.

The proposal, championed by Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown, was put to the meeting in Dalby where questions about training and gas company site access were referred to the working group. "It is going to happen," Mr Cotter said. "There was general consensus. Access is part of the agenda that companies have to settle with landholders.

"But there are big advantages. For example, spraying can require that you do not access a paddock for three days or so. A farmer monitoring a well in that situation would arrange his timetable to suit."

Mr Cotter said it was important for the group to get runs on the board. "Everyone knows the issues and out there are many groups just talking about them." he said. "At SBEG meetings, I will always reinforce the need to action the ideas we discuss."

All 22 SBEG members, including State departmental heads, landholders and representatives of four gas mining companies attended the meeting and heard a comprehensive Water Commission briefing on water issues.

"It covered everything from current activities by companies to issues about individual aquifers, water disposal, and the possible re-injection of water to aquifers in the appropriate circumstances," he said.

Arrow Energy, Origin Energy, Santos and British Gas each briefed the meeting on progress in their prospective areas and in the Surat gas venture as a whole.

"Another significant issue is the role the Federal Government will play," Mr Cotter said. "The Commonwealth will get two thirds of the royalties generated from this development and they have an obligation to contribute a large part of the necessary infrastructure.