Council received a total of 668 submissions in response to Groundswell Gloucester’s development application to build a temporary campsite, with 121 opposed to the proposal.

More than 300 of the letters supporting the development were proforma submissions.

More than 50 of those opposing the campsite were also proforma submissions.

Groundswell Gloucester submitted the proposal after AGL was granted State government approval to frack four coal seam gas wells in the valley as part of a pilot program ahead of the commencement of its Gloucester Gas Project.

While council staff have recommended the project be approved, they have also included a total of 27 conditions that Groundswell must meet.

These include a $26,000 bond to be paid to council as guarantee against damage to surrounding public land and infrastructure during construction of the camp.

The camp would be limited to a period of six months (Groundswell was seeking 12), with council also limiting the maximum number of people at the site at any one time to 200 (including occupants and day visitors).

The camp operators will be required to keep a register of all persons attending the site and must employ on-site security.

Many of the conditions around safety and security imposed by council followed an objection by NSW Police to the size of the camp and the lack of available police to handle any security issues locally.

Police had called for the DA to be rejected, but they also submitted a secondary recommendation imposing six conditions - all of which have been included in the final council recommendation.

Traffic concerns, sanitation and economic and social impacts were among the issues raised by objectors to the camp.

Council rejected Groundswell’s initial proposal for just four temporary toilets at the site and will instead require a minimum of one toilet for each sex for every 20 caravans, camper vans or tents erected at the camp.

The camp operators must also obtain a certificate of compliance from MidCoast Water while various roadworks and the erection of road signage would be required before the camp is permitted to operate.

Council says no food will be able to be sold, prepared or distributed on-site and a separate application would be required before any signage or advertising structures are erected at the site.