A compensation dispute between a farmer an an oil and gas company will be resolved in the Midland Magistrate's Court later this month.
It's believed to be the first time in WA that a landowner and an oil and gas company have failed to negotiate an agreed compensation package, which will now be determined by the Magistrate.
Gavin and Sheila Drew run cattle and sheep on their Beermullah property, 100 kilometres north of Perth. They've been there for just over fifty years.
Between 2009 and 2011 the Drew's allowed Empire Oil and Gas to explore for natural gas on a section of their 1100 hectare property.
At the end of the agreement, in September 2011, the Drew's asked Empire to leave, but the site had produced commercial amounts of oil and gas and Empire wanted to stay.
Under the Petroleum Act Empire has the right to continue its business on the Drew's property and once compensation is settled by the Magistrate the company will return to the property whether the Drew's like it or not.
Gavin Drew says it's taking its toll on his family and his farm.
"We've been under all sorts of pressure because of their demands or what they wanted to do and the problems we've had trying to work out how we're going to deal with it."
Managing Director of Empire Craig Marshall says the situation is frustrating.
ABC Rural
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