TWO men have been charged following protests on Fairbairns Lane this morning (Tuesday).
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According to Groundswell Gloucester, as many as 30 police were present at AGL's site of operations on Fairbairns Lane for this morning's protest following clashes between security personnel and opponents of coal seam gas at the site yesterday.
About 6.40am officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command were in attendance at the main gate entry when several work vehicles arrived at the scene and slowed down as a precautionary measure.
Two men protesting against AGL's fracking operations allegedly attempted to place a lock on one of the vehicles.
Police arrested both men, aged 29 and 26, before the lock was secured.
The men were taken to Gloucester Police Station and charged with wilfully preventing free passage of vehicle.
Both men are expected to appear in Taree Local Court on December 15.
Protesters claimed they were passively resisting the vehicles' entrance to the compound, standing and lying in the path of the convoy .
Hillview Herb Farm owner Karen O'Brien, who was at the site this morning, said protesters would not give up the fight.
"The only way AGL’s fracking convoy can access this site now is under heavy police guard: this project has no social licence,” she said.
“This fracking so close to people’s homes should not have been approved. The government’s failure to stop the project while troubling questions about the risks and safety remain unresolved is driving people to have to peacefully resist to protect the valley and its people.
“We are committed to continue peaceful blockading this operation for as long as the government continues ignoring and neglecting Gloucester resident’s health and well-being.
"The community of Gloucester remains absolutely committed to peace and non-violence in all protest activities. We encourage all people and parties involved to act calmly and responsibly."