The Hunter Valley, which has lost several major vineyards in recent years to the coal industry, is subject to a rearguard action that is attempting to excise the vineyard region from the coal seam gas exploration licence granted to AGL Energy. In particular, the submission by the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association to the new NSW Government, which has been endorsed by a number of industry figures including Bruce Tyrrell, Brian and Fay McGuigan, the late David Clarke, Max and John Drayton, and Andrew Margan, argues that Broke Fordwich and Pokolbin should be removed from AGL’s exploration licence and any future licences. AGL’s licence is due to be renewed in 2012.
