The group wants solid proof that the water aquifers in the gas exploration area will not be impacted by any of Sydney Gas’ activities.

The concerns of the residents are many as they can now see and hear the impact that the drills and water pumps have on their tourism and farming industries, as well as their homes.

“With just the one drill, we can already hear the constant hum of the pump and if you multiply that by the seven that they want to put in here, the impact could be devastating,” said group member Barry Smith.

The group explained that the village of Broke has tolerated the mines, army activity and even RAAF air activity, but said that the idea of Sydney Gas undertaking gas exploration in Broke would not be tolerated.

There is additional concern in the community of the close proximity of the wells to the local school.

“In this current climate you don’t put kids, water or property value under any risk,” Graeme Gibson said.

While the community is unified in their fight against the gas exploration Sydney Gas is undertaking, but are by no means against looking into what viable energy sources there are for the future.

“This is part of a broad acre exploration, and all we are asking is that they take our village, school and wine growing area out of it,” Mr Gibson said.

In a company statement back in February, Sydney Gas chief executive Andy Lukas said the tests would determine if there was any impact on the water aquifers.

The tests are being conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff and evaluated by Newcastle University Professor Garry Willgoose.

Mr Lukas said if it was found that the drilling had no effect on the water aquifers, Sydney Gas planned to begin full scale testing of its wells.

And the company is confident the result will be as Mr Lukas anticipates.

Mr Lukas said while his company was confident in its activities, the people of Broke wanted solid proof and that this week’s testing would provide that.

The group has been disappointed also by the lack of community consultation.

A community consultative committee was established to help open up communication between local residents and the company about its intentions.

Chaired by Labor’s Pam Allan, the committee had not met since October last year because it was continually deferred by Sydney Gas.

The community consultative committee did manage to meet on Wednesday, however, the formal process of the AGL takeover of Sydney Gas limited the effectiveness of the meeting.