Margaret producers say planned coal mine will hurt their products
Margaret River producers added its voice to the snowballing opposition on the planned coal mining exploration in the area, apparently convinced that the proposal will eventually lead to the destruction of the local agricultural industry.
The Margaret River Regional Producers Association said on Wednesday that they would express their concerns on Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett and convince him that agricultural activities would be impossible to co-exist with coal mining in the area.
Group spokesman Andreas Frutiger said that establishment of the proposed mining activities would deeply hurt the region's agribusiness due to the possible pollution that the mining business would bring.
Mr Frutiger noted that Margaret River's agricultural products were renowned for "being very fresh and clean and healthy but with polluted water and air it's not possible anymore," adding that such prospect would be felt most by the smaller producers.
The group added that the proposed coal mine would simply destroy Margaret River's food reputation and the people's livelihood, which "specialised in very special products, very unique products that rely on the brand Margaret River known for being clean, green and pristine."