Port Fairy Lock the Gate spokeswoman Penny Iddon said she was “extremely happy” at the decision that showed that “when the community gets together and takes action, positive things can happen”.

Fracking is a process used to mine unconventional gases such as coal seam gas. 

Ms Iddon said she was also pleased the government had announced an extension of the moratorium on the exploration and development of onshore conventional gas until June 30, 2020.

The ban on mining unconventional gases and the extension of the moratorium on mining onshore conventional gas showed the government’s greater commitment to sustainable energy sources, she said.

The Victorian Farmers Federation also welcomed the government’s decisions, saying the state’s precious groundwater reserves should not be put at risk without “hard scientific evidence that show the risks of onshore gas development can be properly managed”.

VFF land management chairman Gerald Leach said the VFF was glad the government would undertake “the most extensive scientific, technical and environmental studies in Australia on the risks, benefits and impacts of onshore gas” before making any decision on lifting the moratorium on conventional onshore gas developments.

A recent VFF survey showed members’ greatest concern was the potential for gas drilling to cause cross-contamination of aquifers, while others feared it would cause financial harm.

The VFF said it wanted answers from the studies about the impacts of onshore gas on aquifers.

It also wanted to know who would monitor the wells after gas reserves were exhausted. Monitoring wells was needed to ensure concrete linings didn’t crack, allowing saline aquifers to cross-contaminate fresh ones, the VFF said.

“We cannot put at risk Victoria’s status as the nation’s biggest food and fibre exporter for the sake of some short term gains from the gas industry.”