The vocal group opposing coal seam gas mining responded to Manning Alliance’s call to ‘Project Blue’, wearing blue on the day to mark their resistance to mining in the area.

Various speakers spoke to the roars of gathered supporters with the prevailing message that the time had come to safeguard the Manning Valley’s future.

The action of mining companies gaining access to properties in the Gloucester, Manning, and Great Lakes region for exploration purposes was one of the key issues at the opening session of the inquiry.

Cr John Rosenbaum, deputy mayor of Gloucester Shire Council was one of the five local government representatives invited to give evidence at the hearing.

John, speaking from personal experience being a landholder in Gloucester, described the uncertainty of having a property under exploration licence.

Front man of the ‘Project Blue’ movement, Peter Epov, addressed the crowd and received a standing ovation when he asked a poignant question. “Are we prepared to consign our grandchildren to ‘adaptive management’ where we create all the problems and they have to find the solution to fix them?”

The strong group of protesters made up from all corners of the community, including local schools, communicated a clear message that coal seam gas mining is not welcome in the Manning Valley.