It is reported that negotiations between AGL and the Barrington Gloucester Stroud Preservation Alliance will continue in the New Year.

Blockaders at an AGL exploration site near Gloucester have packed up and gone home and AGL has deferred its drilling program and is stabilizing the site. AGL has committed to suspend all mining activity until the Land and Environment Court rules on an appeal against the development approval.

The company says it is also prepared to negotiate the terms of a water study.

Mr Graeme Healy from the alliance says the temporary victory was no thanks to local politicians. He said that "Those pro mining councilors are culpable for allowing this situation."

He added that "They've refused to engage with, especially the mayor has refused to engage with the community at all. At the state level the Government is refusing to engage with landholders.”

He also said "This is just part of the process why people are forced to take direct action because elected representatives aren't accountable to the people anymore."

Mr Healy says next year's negotiations with AGL will focus on independent scientific research about the industry's cumulative impacts on water. He said that "The reality simply is since the project was approved there are so many more warnings out."

He added that "So it's sensible to take a pause and the alliance has a very simple request and that is for an independent water study. AGL is holding out for its own research. He also said company representatives have not been able to give one reason why they're not prepared to have an independent study."

(Sourced from ABC Online)