The NSW Labor Government’s commitment to introduce exclusion zones to protect valuable industries, such as the Hunter Valley’s Thoroughbred Breeding Industry, has been welcomed by the Thoroughbred Breeders of the Hunter Valley.

“It is encouraging to see that the threat posed by mining industries to the future viability of our industry is finally being recognised,”  Hunter Valley spokeswoman Hellen Georgopoulos said.  “The Labor Government has committed to permanently protecting valuable agricultural industries from mining and extraction activities.

“We also welcome the Government’s commitment to ban exploration activities on waterways adjoining national parks and to wind back exploration licences from other sensitive areas.  Securing our waterways and water quality is of paramount importance to our industry and to other valuable agricultural industries.

“Banning exploration activities in waterways adjoining national parks and in other sensitive areas – such as our prime agricultural lands and valuable agricultural industries – is long overdue.”

The Coalition has committed to developing strategic land use plans to identify and define land use priorities.  We will now be seeking the Coalition’s assurance that they will commit to the introduction of exclusion zones.

“We also seek the assurances of both parties that they will not make decisions on new exploration or mining licences surrounding Thoroughbred Breeding operations until these exclusion zones have been introduced.

“What is most important now is that the incoming Government acts immediately to introduce exclusion zones to protect our valuable agricultural assets and industries and to restore balance and investment certainty to our region.  Too much time has been wasted already. Urgent action is required if our future is to be secured.”

“The Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeding Industry is a multi-billion dollar, world renowned industry  It has the second highest concentration of thoroughbred studs in the world behind Kentucky in the USA.  It is one of three International Centres of Thoroughbred Breeding Excellence in the world alongside Kentucky and Newmarket in the UK.

“It is Australia’ largest producer and exporter of thoroughbred horses. It contributes over $5 billion per annum to the national economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across Australia.”