Victorian farmers and green groups firm on CSG fracking ban as inquiry fires up

As parliamentary inquiry into ramifications of drilling gets under way, farmers fear state's moratorium on coal seam gas may be lifted

Farmers and environmental groups have lined up against the oil and gas industry to oppose fracking of unconventional gas in Victoria, as a parliamentary inquiry into its potential benefits gets under way.

A parliamentary committee began hearings in Melbourne on Wednesday morning into the economic, social and environmental ramifications of allowing Victoria to be opened up for gas drilling.