The State Environment Minister and Maitland MP, Robyn Parker says she won’t compromise agricultural pursuits for the sake of coal mining and gas exploration.
There’s growing angst in the Hunter Valley about mining and coal seam gas projects, prompting the newly elected government to announce a 60-day moratorium on new projects.
Ms Parker says all stakeholders must be looked after.
“We are about getting a balance and certainly we’ve got a strategic land use policy that we are developing at the moment to try and balance mining with agriculture and viticulture and in fact people’s home environments so we’re looking forward to getting that together,” she said.
The Greens have introduced a bill into State Parliament calling for a 12 month moratorium on any new coal seam gas exploration licences.
They’re concerned about proposals in the Upper Hunter and Gloucester, north of Newcastle.
Ms Parker says a strategic land use policy is being developed to address the concerns.
“Mining is hugely important to our community and our economy but we’ve got to balance that with the other issues that are important to us,” she said.
“And that is our lifestyle but also the important industries in terms of the viticulture industry, the equine and also agriculture.”
