OPPOSITION to a proposed temporary campsite on the outskirts of Gloucester continues to grow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following approval of AGL’s plans to frack four coal seam gas wells in the valley, Groundswell Gloucester applied to council to set up 104 sites on a property on Jacks Rd.
Each site could potentially cater for up to 12 people, though Groundswell says camper numbers are not expected to exceed 200.
But concerns over sanitation and antisocial behaviour has raised the ire of residents.
Neighbouring farmer Marilyn Schneider told ABC Radio her submission expresses concerns over peoples’ 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.”
Council had received 163 submissions on the camp as of 10am on Tuesday and 190 by midday.
Groundswell Gloucester has called on people to make a submission supporting the camp and some Gloucester Advocate Facebook users have endorsed their stance.
“Groundwell has got supporters. I don’t understand the vindictiveness expressed around this issue,” Dominque Jacobs posted.
“We live in a democracy with everyone entitled to an opinion and a right to protest.
“There are many local people with legitimate concerns about the resource extraction industry.”
Groundswell chairperson Julie Lyford has moved to reassure people that unurly or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and that sanitation will be a top priority.
But not everyone is convincced.
“A scary thought. 1300 possible people. Four toilets available. Where’s the water and sewerage going to go?” Brendon Murray posted on the Advocate Facebook page.
“Everyone has the right to voice their opinion, when it’s theirs. The question is how many are just jumping on the bandwagon. As for the ‘primitive camp’. The lack of appropriate sanitation makes the mind boggle,” Cherie Franks posted.
Submissions on the proposal close on Thursday.