Moyne Shire councillors will take a strongly-worded motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria state congress this month.

The motion will call on delegates to oppose coal seam gas exploration and extraction across the state.

Mayor James Purcell generated the motion, drawing unanimous support from councillors at their monthly meeting.

Cr Purcell pointed to Victoria’s standing as a food bowl, not just for Australia, but internationally.

He said coal seam gas extraction would have a severe impact on future agricultural production.

“I honestly think this is one of the bigger issues we are facing,” Cr Purcell said.

“It is an issue that so far has been taken up by fringe groups who people have dismissed as radical greenies.

“Councils need to get involved and bring this issue out into the mainstream to put pressure on both major parties at state level.

“Neither of these parties have ruled out exploration and we are racing against time to get it recognised as a major issue.

“With the state election coming up we need to get it up their as a issue that both parties need to have a clear position on.”

The council presented the same motion to the National Congress of Local Government in Canberra in June but it was defeated in a 40-60 vote.

Cr Purcell said rural councils in general had supported the motion while their city counterparts opposed it.

“In this part of the world agriculture is so important to our way of life and without water we can’t do it.

“The coal seam gas extraction has the potential to destroy our water supplies.

“These multi-billion-dollar mining companies who will come in and do this extraction work don’t have any concern for the local communities. They will be after what they can get and will not be worried about the mess they leave behind.”