The delegation will be seeking that the Broke Fordwich winegrowing region be excised from the petroleum exploration leases held by Sydney Gas.

In addition to this, it will be seeking that no further activities be undertaken on the two wells adjacent to the village of Broke currently owned by Sydney Gas until a full environmental assessment is undertaken on the wells, and terms of reference on a water study to be undertaken is agreed to by the project’s community consultative committee.

At Monday night’s meeting, councillors resolved to support the Broke Valley community through the formation of the delegation and will be contacting Minister Macdonald to organise a meeting as a matter of urgency.

Councillors were addressed at the meeting by Hunter Valley Protection Alliance members Bob Kennedy and Graeme Gibson, who outlined the community’s concern over potential impacts on the quality and quantity of the region’s groundwater due to drilling activities, possible migration of methane gas, and the risk of an explosion.

“While we understand that council is not the consent authority, it is important for the community that the council is supporting it in the protection of the Broke Valley and its ground water,” Mr Gibson said.

Mr Gibson said excising Broke Fordwich from the exploration leases was not an unreasonable request as it represented a small percentage of the area Sydney Gas has to explore.

“Sydney Gas has an exploration area of 17,000 square kilometres,” he said.

“The Broke Fordwich region is around 72 square kilometres, and 70 per cent of that is unavailable to them to explore due to buffers around houses, waterways and the like.

“So all we are really asking for is 21 or 22 square kilometres out of 17,000 to be excised from their leases.”

It is planned the delegation to be sent to meet with Minister Macdonald will consist of Mayor Sue Moore, one further councillor, council’s general manager or senior officer, the chair of the project’s community consultative committee, Pam Allen, and two community representatives.

Cr Alison Howlett, who tabled the motion, said this was an issue that needed to be acted on urgently.

“There is no legislation to protect people from these leases,” she said.

“We need to protect Broke as it is a lovely area and a unique tourist destination.

“We need to lead the fight and ensure that it doesn’t lose its uniqueness.”

Council’s decision led to applause from the large contingent of Broke Valley residents in the public gallery.

Cr Tony McNamara retired from this part of the meeting due to a non-pecuniary interest, as he is a property owner in Broke.