Concerns grow over plans for protestor campsite
Community opposition is growing in the Gloucester Valley to plans for a camping ground on a local farm for protesters who will join the fight against AGL's coal seam project.
Opponents are stepping-up their fight after the controversial fracking project was recently approved by the State Government.
An application has been lodged with Gloucester Shire Council to set up primitive camping ground for up to 200 people on the farm.
The application will go to council next month but Manager of Planning and Environment Graham Gardiner admits the proposal has caused further division in the community.
"It's fair to say there's a lot of people who are concerned will allow and encourage a lot of people external to the community to come in and join the protest against the recent approval by the State Government," he said.
"It is certainly causing division in the community.
"There are many people who feel the need to allow people to protest and express their point of view."
Nearby resident Marilyn Schneider says her submission expresses a number of concerns including safety.
"Things here is Gloucester are very relaxed," she said.
"I'm very concerned this is going to bring some riff raff to town.
"Being very close to our proximity, I mean we do not know what they do at night time.
"Other things I'm concerned about is you know the waste from down there.
"I believe other places that have these sorts of camp sites, have been left with quite a lot of debris. DUR:0:00
Julie Lyford, Spokeswoman for the proponent Groundswell Gloucester, denies the campground will cause any problems and says her group is working for the good of the entire community.
"For people who think this is just about Gloucester residents protesting are very wrong," she said.
"Most people now are very aware of the dangers of this industry and are also very aware and I'll use the words collusion and culpability that the State Government is not really listening to people and making very damaging decisions on our behalf."
She says the camp site will be well-managed.
"What we're trying to do is to contain this so that it's not an issue for the council, it is not an issue for the police," she said.
"That people behave well.
"There aren't issues of rubbish or sanitation.
"That's why this campsite and the development application has been put in for approval because people will be coming to Gloucester."