About 300 residents gathered to discuss coal seam gas exploration in the Moree shire but left saying the response from the gas companies was "inadequate".
Jane Rohde, of "Koreen," Gurley, said her parents at "Noondoo," Biniguy were caught up in the centre of the dilemma.
"The responses to important ecological and environmental questions from the companies were inadequate," Mrs Rohde said.