However, Cr Gaffney said it would be a decision for the council to make together.

“The Indigo Shire Council has made its position clear that we oppose any onshore gas exploration on Indigo Shire,” he said.

“Because of the council’s stance on coal seam gas exploration, it will certainly be on our radar.”

His comments come as the Labor government requested the Environment and Planning Committee to inquire into the exploration, extraction, production and rehabilitation for onshore unconventional gas.

The parliamentary inquiry will fulfil the Labor government’s election promise to have a thorough and considered inquiry into onshore gas in Victoria, based on robust scientific evidence and community engagement.

There is a moratorium on fracking — a method of coal seam gas extraction which opponents say has dire environmental effects — in Victoria until December when the committee reports its findings.

A coal seam gas reserve sits in the north-west corner of the Indigo Shire, extending across to Wangaratta and over the border into Corowa.

Energy company Energetica abandoned a plan to mine the Corowa section in 2012 due to the expense, while local activists defeated another bid last year.

The Wangaratta section was the subject of a failed licence bid in 2010.

“In the past we asked the committee to visit the North East, which it did do,” Cr Gaffney said.

“The council will make a decision if the committee needs to revisit the North East for further monitoring.”

The committee will announce in coming months the regions that will be visited.

Submissions from councils, groups and individuals will also be accepted.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the inquiry would “engage with farmers, local councils and regional Victorians and thoroughly get to the bottom of CSG exploration”.

The previous Coalition government commissioned a review into the mining of coal seam gas and other unconventional gases, chaired by former Federal Liberal Party Minister, Peter Reith.

The Coalition’s review failed to engage with regional Victorians and did not adequately address the scientific and environmental impact issues, the state government said.