The declaration will be made at the town’s hall on Saturday afternoon following other communities making similar statements regarding coal-seam gas mining statewide.

Woolsthorpe farmer Joan Speirs was one of the organisers of  the petition and subsequent statement and said yesterday the measures sent a strong message to any potential developers.

“It’s something I’ve felt quite strongly about now for a while and many others in the district agree,” Ms Spiers said.

“Other areas have declared themselves a fracking-free zone like at Lavers Hill, places over in Gippsland. I know the community around Deans Marsh have been very active as well to declare themselves fracking free.”

Victoria has had a fracking moratorium in place for more than two years and few coal seam gas operations took place before that time. However, the issue has been a source of controversy interstate.

Campaigning for the New South Wales state election has entered its final week with both Premier Mike Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley keen to promote their anti-fracking credentials.

Ms Speirs said the issue had united people of varying political backgrounds in NSW and Queensland, where fracking practices were more widespread.

The Woolsthorpe resident has lived in the district since 1966, originally operating a sheep farmer before leasing the property in recent times.

“I’ll be looking at what happens on election night in Sydney with interest,” Ms Speirs said. 

“I think there’s more understanding of the issue up there because of all the problems it’s caused. We have the ability to nip fracking in the bud before it becomes a catastrophic problem.”

A sausage sizzle will be held at the Woolsthorpe Hall on Saturday at noon with the declaration by the Unfrackables group taking place soon after. 

District residents and other interested individuals are invited to attend.