A groundswell of landholder rights activism has exploded across South Gippsland, in the face of possible mining operations encroaching on local farmland.
After months of gradually building momentum, landholders of all political persuasions have turned out in droves to recent mining information meetings, with some events attracting up to 200-strong crowds.
This comes as the infamous Lock the Gate alliance started up a Gippsland branch last month, which has already attracted about 700 registrations, through direct applications and affiliated community group members, who are pledging to deny access by mining companies to their properties.
With reports of exploratory drilling occurring on farmland across south and central Gippsland, the groundswell of concern spurs from potential environmental damage from coal seam gas operations.
While most of Gippsland has been subject to mining exploration licences by various companies for many years, farmers have collectively agreed they can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to potential mining operations.
This comes as the South Gippsland Shire passed a motion calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas operations in Victoria late last month, mirroring a similar motion made by Bass Coast Shire in April.
Latrobe Valley Express
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