The group calling itself No Move to Masters has ramped up its bid to stop MidCoast Council moving its headquarters to Taree,
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The group has taken advantage of the early polling sites in Taree and Forster collecting protest signatures for a petition destined for State parliament.
Katrina Pearson, who is driving the petition said the group had been overwhelmed by the community's knowledge of its campaign and their eagerness to sign.
"We are very close to our required 10,000 plus signatures already and will easily exceed this by the end of election day," Ms Pearson said.
Volunteer, Sue Parker, who had positioned herself near the Wharf Street, Forster early polling site explained the group wanted to get a full costing of the entire project.
"We need to have an independent cost with the true facts and figures," Ms Parker said.
Ms Parker believed it would take a generation to pay off the accumulated debt if the project went ahead.
"We want a fair go; we want to be listened to by the council," she said.
Ms Parker questioned the benefit to the community of another council chambers.
"I feel we have not been told the full truth and the facts.
"First off it was going to cost us $20 million now it is close to $40 million."
Up to five volunteers have been working daily in Forster gathering signatures.
"I will walk door to door around the area to collect enough signatures if need be."
Charlotte Bay resident, Lorraine Fifield was strongly opposed to the proposed move.
"They do not need to move," she said.
"We will have to pay for it for a long time."
Smiths Lake ratepayer, Michael Hall echoed Ms Fifield's comments.
"I don't think they need to move; there is nothing wrong with what they have at the moment.
"I'm concerned my rates will go up as a result of this," he said.
Ms Parker said she was all for progress, but council's plan to put both Forster and Taree administration offices under the same roof had nothing to do with moving forward.
"I love the area, but this project has nothing to do with progression for the ratepayers, Ms Parker said.
"It is something we don't need."
Mrs Parker claimed MidCoast Council staff have informed the group they have been told "if they sign our petition it would mean instant dismissal".
However, MidCoast Council general manager, Adrian Panuccio, strongly refuted suggestions by the No Move to Masters group that council staff have been directed not to sign the petition.
"This is absolutely untrue - no direction has been issued to staff on the petition at all," Mr Panuccio said.
Mr Panuccio encouraged the community to go to council website for the facts on the relocation project.
"The information on the website clearly steps out how the project will be paid for, and it is important for the community to note this will not impact on rates or services," he said.