Local concerns grow over whether coal mining and grapes can co-exist in the state’s South West.
Industry bodies and key players in the Margaret River wine region have raised fresh concerns over a proposed coal mine located 15 kilometres outside the popular tourist retreat.
Winemakers, residents and representative bodies in the region are opposing plans by private mining consortium LD Operations to build and operate an underground coal mine on Osmington Road near Treeton, 15km north-east of the town.
Concerned about the mine’s impact on the environment and perceptions of the region, the Geographe Bay Tourism Association recently surveyed its Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River wine region members.
“66 per cent of respondents are strongly against a coal mine in the Margaret River region, whilst 34 per cent are happy to consider the proposal as more detail is provided,” GBTA chief executive Matt Walker said.
After meeting with the Department of State Development and LD Operations, Margaret River Wine Industry Association chief executive Nick Power supported due process being accorded to the coal mining proponents while suggesting a greater level of review was still required.
‘‘Anything that may impact adversely on our wine brand and tourism must also be assessed at a higher level openly and in full public transparency,” Mr Power said.
Association president and Fraser Gallop Estate owner, Nigel Gallop said grape growing and wine production, followed by general agriculture and then tourism, in that order, were the key regional economic drivers.
“It would be completely detrimental to the Margaret River wine brand should an event occur or be perceived to occur that spoilt our image as a clean and pristine environment and all that this encompasses,” Mr Gallop said in a statement.
On August 11, the Augusta-Margaret River Shire moved to establish a Coal Mine Advisory Committee to represent the interests of all stakeholders and allow information to flow between the proponents, the government and the community.
“We have concerns regarding any negative environmental impacts associated with this proposal,” Shire president Ray Colyer said.
“Brand Margaret River is incredibly important, we need to listen to both sides but ensure nothing happens to diminish the brand.”
Amid providing the Margaret River wine industry this week with a legal update – highlighting the benefits of the new Australia-European Union agreement and changes to the label integrity program and labeling laws – specialist wine industry law firm Finlaysons partner Will Taylor pointed out that coal mines and wineries have successfully operated together in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley for generations.
“There’s always been a tension in the Hunter Valley between the vineyards and the coal mines, it’s never been an easy co-existence.
“But Hunter Valley has still ended up being a massive tourist destination; it’s by far and away the most visited Australian wine region.
“It’s not all doom and gloom but I do see what they’re concerned about as it’s the image of Margaret River wine being impacted,” Mr Taylor said.
Winemaker’s Federation of Australia chief executive, Stephen Strachan, who joined Mr Taylor on Finlaysons 18th annual national wine roadshow, empathised with Mr Power’s concerns.
“If I was the winery association here I would seek to resist it and call on them to show how they will conduct themselves in the region to ensure the winery amenity is not diminished,” Mr Strachan said.
