Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance chairperson, Graeme Healy, said he has been inundated by telephone calls and emails from members and non-members alike, applauding the decision.

“The announcement of the inquiry is wonderful news for many communities throughout NSW and the government should move to immediately implement a moratorium on all further coal seam gas exploration and project development, including AGL’s Gloucester Gas Project, until the inquiry has been concluded.”

About 70 people attended a meeting in Gloucester last Thursday to hear Lock the Gate Alliance management committee member, Michael McNamara, speak about coal seam gas developments.

Click on the image for more photos from the rally. Article continues below.

Mr McNamara also attended the Manning Clean Water Action Group community forum on Saturday where his words were also well received, according to group spokesman and forum organiser Karl Bayer.

“We had between 200 and 250 people attend with great participation in the Q&A session. We also had various dignitaries attend including our mayor Paul Hogan which was great to see.”

Mr Bayer also welcomed the parliamentary inquiry into coal seam gas mining.

“Yes, that was announced on the day which was great for our meeting as it showed that this issue was an important one that was now in the radar of State parliament.”

Mr Bayer thanked special guest speaker Michael McNamara for leading discussion on the matter.

“Michael McNamara from Lock the Gate was fantastic and he’s doing a great job in urging local communities to inform themselves about the effects of coal seam gas mining.”

His address to both community group’s were part of Mr McNamara’s ‘Defend Our Water’ promotional tour in which he is seeking to mobilise public opposition in rural and regional NSW to coal seam gas mining in the lead up to a National Day of Action on coal seam gas planned for Sunday, October 16.

Both the BGSPA and the MCAC have established committees to plan events in conjunction with the day.