A petition aimed at getting politicians on board with climate change, has received a positive response from local residents.
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But at least one politician will be tough to convince.
While visitors to the Tamworth Farmers' Market were keen to put pen to paper, signing the Climate Act Now petition, New England MP Barnaby Joyce says it's not his priority at this time.
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The petition garnered plenty of signatures on the day, including those of Breeza farmer Peter Wills and Tamworth councillor Mark Rodda.
"It was fantastic to have members of the Tamworth Parents and Friends for Climate Action and New England Climate Action Group get involved," Mr Wills said.
"Those guys very much organised the event, I was just more than happy to put my hand up to give a hand.
"There was a really good turn out which was good to see and a lot of new people are joining the fight."
The petition was initially launched by Independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall, to help push the government to strive towards zero emissions.
Mr Joyce said, while he supported people's right to start a petition, he didn't necessarily share their views.
"Personally, I am all for doing what we can, but not at the expense of jobs," Mr Joyce said.
"Given the situation the country's in, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I think jobs should be placed as our top priority.
"If you were to say let's get rid of projects like gas projects, then you may as well carry a petition around asking people if they would be happy to loose their job as a result of stopping these kinds of projects."
Mr Joyce said he understood the potential impacts proposed gas projects and pipelines would have on the region.
"I know what it is like to have a PEL on your property because there is one on mine," he said.
"I'm confident they won't want to act upon that PEL but if they did, then I understand it would be a case of tough luck Barnaby.
"Similarly, if they wanted to put a pipeline through it, it would be a case of tough luck Barnaby."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
