WHEN residents in the fertile Goomburra Valley pictured a future for themselves, they always imagined it would be free of the threat of coal mining and gas fields.

Now that future seems uncertain, with drilling for coal exploration to begin on three properties in the area at the end of the month.

It's the news residents in Goomburra, and the surrounding communities of Berat and Allora, have long feared.

Berat resident Mandy Mutch borders one of the exploration sites.

She described feeling left in the dark, first hearing the news when four men from mining exploration company GeoConsult arrived in front of her home.

Ms Mutch's learned her neighbour signed a contact to allow the company to do a core sample.

"At the end of the day I didn't want the community to be too alarmed but not informed that this was happening," she said.

A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman confirmed APEC coal had been approved to conduct drilling in the Goomburra Valley.

Less than 12 months ago the three communities held a Coal Mine and Gasfield Free Declaration Day.

Declarations against mining were presented to the Southern Downs Regional Council, with 97% of Goomburra residents surveyed opposing any resources developments or exploration in the area.

Southern Downs MP Lawrence Springborg said while he understood residents' concerns, exploration was common in Queensland.

"Exploration is a different thing to whether there would ever be an established coal mine," he said.

"Exploration drilling has happened all across Queensland. Even my own property has exploration leases over it."

Despite the exploration, Mr Springborg said he had "serious doubts" there would ever be a mine in the area.

"People can take a lot of comfort in knowing the development of a mine is a very, very big challenge," he said.

"Given the nature of the value of the agricultural land, it would be arduous."

But Senate candidate and Southern Downs farmer Belinda Marriage remains doubtful.

"To me it seems obvious that the people, communities and SDRC have voiced their opposition to mining activities on the Southern Downs," she said.

"Proactive action needs to be taken now to resolve this.

In January last year, the Southern Downs Regional Council passed a resolution objecting to any coal, oil or coal seam gas developments within Priority Agricultural Areas on the Southern Downs.

Mayor Tracy Dobie said the council's position on the issue had been made clear through letters to the Premier, Mr Springborg and the relevant ministers.

Cr Dobie said by a resident yesterday advised the council about the coal exploration drilling in the Goomburra Valley.

"Council is not aware of any advice from this company about this drilling nor has council received any recent communication from APEC Coal Pty Ltd about their intention to conduct exploration drilling in the Goomburra Valley," she said.

"A council officer has attempted to contact Geo Consult Pty Ltd but was unable to speak to the relevant person."

Meanwhile, Mr Springborg is encouraging Southern Downs landholders to know their rights when it comes to exploration.

"I encourage residents that they do ask questions and feel very confident in their rights and don't just accept things that have been told to them," he said.

- Additional reporting by the Chronicle