AT least 10,000 signatures are being sought for a petition calling on the State Government to ban methane gas exploration and extraction in the Hunter Valley’s vineyard areas.
A spokesman for the petition organisers, Graeme Gibson said: “Western Australia is legislating to protect the Margaret River and South Australia is legislating to protect McLaren Vale and Barossa.
“We need the NSW Government to follow suit in relation to the Hunter.
“The impact of gas exploration and extraction on the Hunter would be disastrous if allowed to proceed, it could end the valley’s wine and tourism industries, ruin the environment and destroy many businesses, lifestyles and property values.”
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association and Hunter Valley Protection Alliance are behind the petition which attracted more than 700 signatures within a couple of days of its release this week.
The Member for Upper Hunter George Souris has agreed to present the petition to parliament when it attracts 10,000 signatures, Mr Gibson said.
“This is a beautiful valley and areas such as Broke, Fordwich, Pokolbin, Lovedale and other parts of the Hunter produce wines of world acclaim,” Mr Gibson said.
“We have to do something to permanently protect the land and water from potential contamination.”
The petition is available at Hunter vineyards and on the internet at petitiononline.com
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