Access to the site has been blockaded for the past 12 days by landholders who have been demanding that AGL cease its drilling program until the results of an independent water study of the Gloucester Basin have been completed and presented to the public.

Barrington-Glouceste r-Stroud Preservation Alliance spokesperson Graeme Healy said now equipment was being withdrawn and AGL was vacating the site, there was no need to maintain the blockade.

“There will be a party at the blockade site on Saturday evening to celebrate the decision by AGL to defer its exploration drilling program and vacate the site, and the blockade will be pulled down on Sunday,” Mr Healy said.

“While we are happy that AGL has publicly committed to defer its exploration drilling program until after the outcome of a court challenge and further water studies, the company has not yet agreed to the independent water study demanded by the community.

“AGL has agreed to enter into negotiations with the Alliance over the terms of a water study but we are adamant that it needs to be fully independent to have credibility.”