There is no fracking way Victorian farmers will let big mining companies derive gas from their land.
Hundreds of farmers joined protesters from the city in a march from the State Library to parliament to rally against the industry getting a foothold in the state.
But it may not be their decision as the government awaits the findings of a parliamentary inquiry into the coal seam gas (CSG) industry due at the end of the year.
Chants of "frack off" and "no fracking way" were heard from the crowd as they marched towards parliament.
The large crowd blocked Spring Street as they unfurled a 50-metre banner down Bourke Street declaring Victoria "Gas Field Free".
"We won't stop until we get a total ban on unconventional gas mining," Victorian Lock the Gate spokeswoman Ursula Alquier told the crowd.
"While the executives from large mining companies sit behind their swish desks far away from the mess they leave behind, we understand the importance of caring for our land and our waterways."
Ulla Taylor, who lives in Windsor but also has a property in the Grampians, painted numerous signs sharing her feelings about the fracking industry.
"I believe fracking is a serious threat to our water and our prime agricultural land here in Victoria," she told AAP on Sunday.
Premier Daniel Andrews says he understands why farmers exercised their right to protest but said he would reserve his decision on the issue until the findings were handed down.
"I know after growing up in regional Victoria, my family live on prime agricultural land as beef farmers, I know that so many people feel very strongly about this issue and there is not the scientific and community consensus that we would like," Mr Andrews told reporters.
"When the committee hands down their report we will have a detailed decision in due course."
Share
