FROM Catherine Hill Bay to Gloucester and Murrurundi, communities across the Hunter will rally on Sunday to voice their concerns about the rapidly expanding coal seam gas industry.
Under the banner of ‘‘Defend Our Water’’, events have been planned throughout region as part of a national day of action.
‘‘This is shaping up to be the biggest social movement of our time, it is certainly not just a green issue, organiser and Lake Macquarie City councillor Phillipa Parsons said.
‘‘It has galvanised farmers, vignerons, tourism operators and environmentalists alike.’’
Protesters will gather at Camp Shortland, Newcastle, at noon before forming a human symbol at Nobbys Beach.
Broke horticulturist and vineyard owner Peter Worgan has organised the rally, outside Poole’s Rock vineyard at Wollombi Road.
Mr Worgan said he hoped the protest would draw a good crowd amid concerns about AGL’s property acquisitions in the area, which included the vineyard.
‘‘It just spreads the word in the local community and lets people know they’re not alone,’’ he said.
AGL has confirmed it is in talks with ‘‘a number of landowners in the Hunter project area to settle land access arrangements and land purchase arrangements’’.
Another event is planned at Billabong Park, Gloucester.
Barrington-Gloucest er-Stroud Preservation Alliance will launch Project Blue at the event.
The initiative encourages residents to tie a blue ribbon to their gate or car to express their opposition to coal seam gas.
More than 40,000 gas wells are predicted to be created on Australia’s east coast in the next two decades.
The figure includes more than 100 wells proposed to be created between Gloucester and Stratford.
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