IT WAS a peaceful protest but a strong show of force as residents of the Gloucester Valley and their supporters set up a blockade outside a planned coal seam gas fracking site on Saturday morning.
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About 30 residents joined the blockade following the state government's approval of the AGL operated project, just under two weeks ago.
While the majority are locals, some travelled from Taree in a show of support.
“Opposition to AGL’s plan to turn Gloucester into a gasfield is coming from all quarters,” Chris Sheed OAM, Manning Clean Water Action Group president, said.
“Mid Coast Water and Gloucester Council are opposed to CSG and the Greater Taree City Council have formally asked AGL to withdraw CSG operations from Gloucester. Manning Valley residents will stand shoulder to shoulder with Gloucester, and other communities from across the state, to stop this outrageous assault on our beautiful valley.”
“If AGL know what is good for them, they will gracefully abandon this project and focus their attention and future investment on their renewable energy projects - based on wind and solar - of which they can be rightfully proud.
With several weeks of preparation to go before fracking can begin, residents have vowed to continue their campaign of "peaceful direct action."
Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command duty office Inspector Tony Power said police were tasked to the area to ensure to protest remained peaceful.
He said there would be a continued police presence in the area while the protests continued.