PIP COURTNEY, PRESENTER: The Federal Government's set up a new, independent expert scientific committee to examine the coal seam gas industry as fresh battle lines are being drawn between farmers and gas companies. At issue is the potential impact the controversial projects may have on water quality in some of the country's most productive farmland. It's a state election issue on Queensland's Darling Downs and now it's overshadowing this year's grape harvest in the Hunter Valley. Growers fear the future of their sustainable wine business and the tourism industry it supports are being jeopardised for some short-term coal seam gas royalties. Sean Murphy reports.
SEAN MURPHY, REPORTER: It's harvest time at Tyrrell's Vineyard in the heart of the Hunter Valley's historic wine region, but this year's vintage is being picked under a cloud of uncertainty. The Hunter's wine country is on top of a massive coal seam gas reserve with plans for up to 300 wells over the next 30 years.
BRUCE TYRRELL, TYRRELL'S WINES: If we were to end up with an open go in this area for coal seam gas, this area would be decimated. It's a bit like saying, "I'm gonna put a coal seam gas well in the Botanic Gardens, Taronga Park and the middle of Bondi Beach." The people in NSW are not gonna put up with that. Coal seam gas is a 30, 40-year industry; tourism's a totally sustainably industry that's here forever. So, I don't really see why we need to put one at risk for a bit of short-term gain on another.
SEAN MURPHY, REPORTER: It's harvest time at Tyrrell's Vineyard in the heart of the Hunter Valley's historic wine region, but this year's vintage is being picked under a cloud of uncertainty. The Hunter's wine country is on top of a massive coal seam gas reserve with plans for up to 300 wells over the next 30 years.
BRUCE TYRRELL, TYRRELL'S WINES: If we were to end up with an open go in this area for coal seam gas, this area would be decimated. It's a bit like saying, "I'm gonna put a coal seam gas well in the Botanic Gardens, Taronga Park and the middle of Bondi Beach." The people in NSW are not gonna put up with that. Coal seam gas is a 30, 40-year industry; tourism's a totally sustainably industry that's here forever. So, I don't really see why we need to put one at risk for a bit of short-term gain on another.
Click Here to Read More and Watch Video
ABC Landline
No comments:
Post a Comment