The Greens are warning of a new environmental conflict in Tasmania over shale gas and oil exploration.
Energy company Petratherm has applied for a licence to explore 3900 square kilometres of central Tasmania.
"It's a very bad idea for this company to parachute into Tasmania and start what will be a major conflict," Greens leader Christine Milne told reporters in Hobart.
Senator Milne delivered her warning alongside livestock farmer Brett Hall, who said details about how the company would proceed were scarce.
Mr Hall said he feared for his water supply if aquifers were affected.
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"I'd like people to imagine if a mining company came along to their home, their land, and decided to do some mining," he said.
"And there was absolutely nothing you could do about it."
The Greens say Tasmania should be aiming to increase its 86 per cent renewable energy use to 100 per cent, rather than turning towards more use of fossil fuels.
Petratherm subsidiary PetraGas says it will consult extensively with local communities if a licence is granted.
But Senator Milne said farmers should be able to veto exploration on their land.
It's the second pitch the Greens leader has made to rural voters in as many days after the online launch of her $600 million food security policy on Thursday.
"Farmers are under enough pressure as it is, rural communities are under enough pressure," Senator Milne said.
"Why would you want to add to that?"
The company says it expects a decision on its application within three months.
Petratherm has been contacted for further comment.
Tasmania's director of mines Kim Creak said the company would need to meet strict criteria to be granted the licence.
"This is just an exploration licence and it involves conventional exploration techniques and the licence application is still in process," Mr Creak said in a statement on Friday.
He said neither coal seam gas nor fracking were part of the application.
"As with all exploration licences, strict measures are required to be in place to protect landowners," he said.
A process was in place for objections, he added.
