Dubbo Field Naturalist and Conservation Society president Tim Hosking was thrilled.

"Dubbo Field Nats is supportive of the disapproval," Mr Hosking said.

Yesterday the Daily Liberal asked Resources and Energy Minister, Anthony Roberts for more details on the governments refusal.

It also asked whether a Dubbo region exploration licence could be issued in the future.

There was no direct response to the questions.

The questions were:

1.) The evidence supplied by CEEMAC's Petroleum Exploration Licence application was not satisfactory. What was missing from their application for it to be refused by the NSW Office of Coal Seam Gas?

A.The Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) refused the applications by CEEMAC under section 15 (3) of the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 on the basis that CEEMAC has not provided satisfactory evidence of matter required to be provided under the Act.

2.) If CEEMAC, or any other company were to apply/reapply for a Petroleum Exploration Licence in the Dubbo area, and had satisfactory evidence to support their application, would that application then be approved?

A. In March, the NSW government announced a freeze on the processing of new Petroleum Exploration Licence applications. This freeze remains in place.

3.) A majority of Dubbo residents, and locals from surrounding towns are against CSG mining. What is your view of their public opinion?

A.The NSW Liberals and Nationals government has put in place the toughest regulations for coal seam gas in the country. All decisions made by the NSW government are on the basis on the scientific evidence and expert advice.

In a statement Lock the Gate Alliance NSW coordinator, Georgina Woods said: "We welcome Minister Roberts' rejection of the petroleum exploration applications affecting Dubbo and the Blue Mountains, and his insistence that industry claims over gas shortfalls be transparently tested."

Ms Woods said it would be welcome news to Dubbo.

"It must be a big relief for the residents of Dubbo," she said.

In a statement Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant said: "The Coal Seam Gas regulations that have been introduced are the most comprehensive regulations in the nation and send a clear message that the NSW government only wants reputable operators in the state."

"Any petroleum exploration or assessment licence that is granted in NSW has conditions that require the development of a groundwater modelling and monitoring plan in consultation with the NSW Office of Water or a produced Water Management Plan in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Office of Water."

Mr Grant hopes the increase of $1,000 to $50,000 to apply for a petroleum exploration licence in NSW will deter speculators from making an application.

This Sunday, August 24, a CSG information session will be held in Dubbo, to inform people on the challenges they would face if the controversial practice ever happens here.

Mr Hosking said even though the three applications were disapproved, the CSG info session would still go ahead.

"We will still go ahead with the CSG information session on Sunday. Just because CEEMAC's applications were refused does not mean the fight is over," he said.

Organised by the Dubbo Field Naturalist and Conservation Society, the session, to be held at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, will hear from people who are passionately opposed to CSG mining, including actor Michael Caton.

Mr Caton has spoken at a number of anti-CSG rallies and will share his experiences of CSG mining in his hometown of QLD with the residents of Dubbo.

"It's heartbreaking in Queensland," Mr Caton said.

Along with Mr Caton, other speakers will include Lock the Gate's Megan Kuhn, Friends of the Pilliga member Jane Judd and Great Artesian Basin Protection Group president Anne Kennedy will also make valuable contributions.

"I've seen Michael speak at other events and it is very clear how passionate he is about CSG and along with the three other speakers, they will provide some good insights," Mr Hosking said.