AGL rejects call for extended Hunter Valley buffer zones

Energy company AGL has rejected a call by the Hunter Valley’s wine, tourism and thoroughbred industries for a 10-kilometre buffer, arguing decisions should be made based on impacts and science. AGL has been challenged by the wine and tourism industries for a number of years over its coal seam gas (CSG) exploration in the Broke Fordwich wine region, south of Singleton. The company’s exploration licences cover areas in the vicinity of the viticulture critical industry cluster.