The company employed surveyors in 1856-7 to undertake a trial survey for a railway between Port Stephens and Stroud and further north to the Manning River, passing what became Gloucester.

At the time it was felt that with the "formidable obstructions" from ranges and rivers, a railway line would be impracticable and construction did not proceed, and coal mining was abandoned before it had commenced.

The shareholders in the new company were Fred and his brother Ernest, who jointly held the great majority of the shares, and a number of local people.

However it was wartime and the Mid-Coast County Council did not exercise its right to acquire the company’s assets and take over the electricity undertaking till 1 July 1946.

Channon, said, "We cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr Lowe for what he has done for Gloucester.

Plans by mining company AGL to install 330 coal seam gas wells in the Gloucestor Valley were cancelled in 2016 following a community campaign and blockade of exploration sites.

For most of the twentieth century it boasted two cinemas in the main thoroughfare - Church Street: The Star (opposite Permewans, closed c. 1968), and the Majestic Theatre, that was built in the early 1920s.

The festival included well known musical acts such as Screaming Jets, Killing Heidi and Evermore.