CERTAINLY I believe the members of our community should have the right of protest over issues they are passionate about, but this also includes those who do not want our lovely town to be overrun by outside interests.
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I also have my reservations about the issue of fracking, but the development application for the primitive camping ground at Jacks Rd goes against all we value in Gloucester.
For 100 or so campsites to be crammed into a 200m x 200m area with the problems of garbage, no showers and only four toilets is ridiculous.
One can imagine the pollution caused by so many camped in such close quarters.
Although this is part of a much larger property the tents, capable of accommodating 12 people each, are restricted to this certain area.
Although Groundswell states there will be no more than 200 people at one time, who is to guarantee this, as the campsite is designed to accommodate over 1000 people?
I also note on the plan that there is room for an extension if this is required.
How many more are anticipated to crowd this campsite?
Surely if protesters wish to stay in Gloucester there is ample accommodation in town and at the caravan park, which would be some way of compensating the town for the inconvenience caused by their presence.
I note that the architect who designed this camp is the same one who was involved in the Lismore protest, which resulted in farmers being persecuted by the demonstrators and ugly scenes taking place.
Is this what council wishes to take place in Gloucester?
I also had believed that Groundswell was apolitical, but noticed a large number of the protesters who swamped the town when Landline visited were wearing green T-shirts with ‘Vote 1 Greens’ printed on them.
There is also the traffic problem in Jacks Rd. At present there is a railway crossing on the only access to the campsite and the disturbance of many vehicles traversing this road will be of great stress to the many residents in that area.
I do note that, amazingly, council has suddenly decided to do something about repairing the Jacks Road Bridge. Is this just a co-incidence or to support the protesters?
Surely the place for these protesters from other areas of the State is outside the NSW Parliament in Sydney, as this is the only body which can enforce conditions on mining and gas extraction.
Our council could then get on with the important issues of balancing the budget, repairing roads and bridges and putting their house in order.
Elynne Graham
Gloucester