Police have arrested nine anti-coal seam gas protesters at a blockade on a southern Queensland property.
Local landowners set up the blockade at Kerry Valley, near Beaudesert on Thursday morning, preventing Arrow Energy workers from conducting exploratory CSG drilling.
A police spokeswoman said nine people were arrested for contravening a police direction.
Protest spokesman Innes Larkin, of the Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic group, said about 45 people were involved in the demonstration.
Mr Larkin said the protesters were calling for baseline water tests to be conducted on local aquifers before drilling is allowed to commence.
"Landowners are really, really concerned about their water and concerned that they're not being listened to," he said.
"All of the people arrested, and I'm one of them, have never been arrested before.
"They are law-abiding citizens who have had to make this enormous step to let people know how important this issue is."
Mr Larkin said Arrow workers had been able to start work after the arrests, and that 36 people remained at the blockade.
Comment was being sought from Arrow Energy.
The nine arrested are due to face court on February 1.
AAP
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