Hunter Valley campaign to shut down new coal projects

A new campaign has been launched in the Hunter Valley opposing the development of any new coal mining operations.

#NoNewMinesInOurVines is an initiative of The Hunter Valley Protection Alliance (HVPA) and local Hunter Valley Wine Country businesses and organisations and is opposed to any new coal mining operations in the heart of the wine tourism region.

Campaigners are calling on the NSW Government to reject two Exploration Lease (EL) applications by coal producer Yancoal. The exploration sites are located between the two prime wine growing regions of Pokolbin and Broke –Fordwich, adjacent to the Pokolbin State Forest.

“We are calling on the NSW Government to reject these EL applications and implement protection legislation for this nationally important wine tourism area, just as the South Australian Government has done for the Barossa Valley, and Western Australian Government has for the Margaret River wine region,” said Sally Scarborough (pictured above), National Sales and Marketing Manager at Scarborough Wine Co and spokesperson for the campaign.

Ms Scarborough says that mining in the area will lead to irreparable damage to the prime viticultural land and tourism sectors, thriving and economically sustainable industries, and to the environment in general. Hunter Valley Wine Country is the region’s premier tourist destination, and one of the most visited wine regions in Australia.

The #NoNewMinesInOurVines has the support of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) which is running a survey to measure public sentiment.