Winemakers put heat on O’Farrell

Hunter wine industry leaders say they hold Premier Barry O’Farrell accountable for a “promise” they said he made before the 2011 election to protect vineyards by removing them from coal seam gas exploration areas. Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association president Andrew Margan said the verbal assurance was made during a formal meeting with Mr O’Farrell, Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, present Planning Minister Brad Hazzard and Environment Minister Robyn Parker in November 2010, reports the Newcastle Herald.