The state government is keen to regulate the controversial industry and Schofields resident Brian Mackenzie hopes any regulation policy will preclude companies from drilling in residential areas.

Mr Mackenzie, 56, has been given no indication of when or where gas company AGL might decide to use its licence — which it has held since the early 1990s — to drill in his neighbourhood.

"You just don't know," he said.

"There is a level of uncertainty; if (AGL) intend to do something, they should just come out and tell us.

"Even if it's 10 years down the track, tell people so we can plan our lives around it."

While reading the Alex Avenue Precinct planning strategy last year, Mr Mackenzie discovered that the rezoning of the land to build 15,500 new homes did not preclude AGL from drilling for gas in the area.

The coal seam gas industry has come under fire from residents, farmers and environmental groups for its controversial method of extracting gas known as "fracking".

Some people who oppose the industry say the technique of drilling and injecting jets of water into a coal seam to extract the gas can irreversibly damage and pollute natural aquifers.

Others oppose it on the grounds that gas companies should not have the right to set up gas plants on their property.

The Greens party has called for a public inquiry into the industry.

Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott said earlier this month that farmers should have the right to refuse access to their land but has since backed away from the statement. AGL's website says its gas drilling techniques are environmentally friendly.