A who’s who of Australian racing are calling on the NSW government to reject the latest proposal from Anglo American for the expansion of their Drayton open cut coal mine.
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Leading trainers, owners, breeders and industry figures describe the mine in the Hunter Valley as being the ‘wrong place wrong mine’.
They also back the call from the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) and and Hunter Wine Tourism Association for a 10km buffer zone between their industries and mining operations.
An environmental assessment report on what is now known as the Drayton Mine Extension Project is expected to released any day and it appears those opposed to the mine want to get their message across before its publication.
The state’s Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) has twice rejected the expansion, previously known as the Drayton South Project.
In notes on the latest project the size of the mine’s footprint has been reduced and the amount of coal extracted similarly reduced to 75million tonnes – a significantly lower figure than what the company first hoped to mine.
Anglo American argue the revised mine plan means it will no longer impact on the two neighboring international thoroughbred stud Coolmore and Darley.
However this view is totally rejected by the thoroughbred industry who have fought the project since was first proposed in 2011.
"Supporting this campaign is a no brainer. We have an international asset, one of the world's best breeding grounds, right here in NSW's Hunter Valley. It beggars belief that they are threatened by mining. Premier this industry should be protected," Trainer, Gai Waterhouse said.
"Horse breeding is a personal passion of mine. I have been involved in the industry for over ten years. I have all my mares domiciled on one of the prime studs in the Hunter Valley. I think the region should be recognized for the contribution it makes to NSW and should be protected, " Chairman Australian Turf Club, Michael Crismale said.
"The horse capital of Australia is located here in the Hunter Valley. Our world renowned industry has taken over 150 years to develop to where we are today. If this mine is approved it would be a tragedy of immeasurable proportions for our racing and breeding industry here in NSW," President Scone Race Club, Noel Leckie said.
One in two racehorses born in Australia every year are born in the Hunter Valley.
To highlight the success of the Hunter thoroughbred industry it supporters point to the fact in the past ten years all Golden Slipper winners, the world’s riches race for two year olds, have been sired by Hunter Valley stallions.
The Hunter Valley’s thoroughbred breeding industry is the bedrock of the NSW and Australian racing industry. The industry contributes more than $2.6 billion every year to the NSW economy and more than $5 billion to the Australian economy. It is a national asset and should be protected.
