Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule will promote his idea of holding an oil and gas summit in Hawke's Bay when his councillors meet to discuss its merits tomorrow.
The summit would provide an opportunity for experts to present on the pros and cons of the exploration and development of oil and gas on the East Coast of the North Island.
Mr Yule, in his report to the council, said the proposal to hold a summit came from the high level of interest in oil and gas explorations from ratepayers.
People were worried about the impacts on the environment while others wanted to clarify the economic and social benefits which could come out of exploration, particularly in the Hastings district.
The summit would also follow the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's study released in March, on East Coast oil and gas development, considered to be the first step to stimulate discussion on the benefits and risks.