Bickham: The coal mining decision that threatens the thoroughbred industry
“Even the perception of environmental damage is enough to threaten the Upper Hunter’s multi-billion dollar Thoroughbred Breeding Industry” John Messara said today when giving evidence at the Planning Assessment Commission’s (PAC) public hearings into the Bickham Coal mine.
Speaking at the PAC public hearings held in Scone, Mr. Messara advocated against the Bickham Coal Mine proposal and called on the NSW Government to make an early decision on the matter, rule out the Bickham Coal project and put an end to a decade of uncertainty caused by this long-standing issue.
“Australia’s Thoroughbred Industry is today a world recognised international centre of excellence which has attracted significant national and international investment,” Mr. Messara said.
“Many national and international investors and thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly, are dependent on our industry,” he said.
“Our industry has been recognised, including by the former Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke AC, as one of the largest employers in Australia, providing sustainable long term direct and indirect jobs for some 200,000 Australians.”
The Upper Hunter Valley is currently mine free. The proposal for an open cut mine at Bickham will yield relatively small short lived economic gains. Yet it poses significantly large risks for the environment, for waterways, for prime agricultural lands, for the agricultural industries and jobs and for the fabric of regional communities.
“Our industry, the industries that rely on us and the community that supports us think it is irrational to allow a relatively small mine located between two important river systems, to proceed and put at risk, or be seen to put at risk, our Thoroughbred Breeding Centre of Excellence,” Mr. Messara said.
The critical mass of thoroughbred breeding in the Hunter Valley has attracted international investors such as the Irish Conglomerate, Coolmore Stud (Jerrys Plains), the Darley Stud (Denman & Aberdeen), the Yoshida family’s Shadai Stallion and Northern Farm, and the Kia Ora Stud. Many more domestic and international investors recognize the Hunter Valley as the premier Southern Hemisphere breeding ground.
The Scone Equine Hospital is the largest equine hospital in the Southern Hemisphere. It employs over 100 staff, including 33 qualified veterinarians and 5 Specialists in equine surgery or equine medicine. Its employees are highly skilled and only live in Scone to work at the Scone Equine Hospital. Future investments in the Scone Equine Hospital have stalled because of the uncertainty of our future caused by the growing number of mines surrounding the thoroughbred breeding industry in the Upper Hunter.
Australia’s Thoroughbred Breeding Industry has survived Equine Influenza and is recovering from the Global Financial Crisis (evident by recent bloodstock sales). It is well respected and positioned to respond to growing export market opportunities in the Asia Pacific. Current key markets include New Zealand, Singapore, China, the Philippines, South Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea. Australia’s international standing and expertise positions it well to respond to the bulging Asian market – particularly China’s growing interest in Racing.
Mr. Messara made it clear that the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry is not against coal mining per se but believes that there is a clear lack of balance between sustainable industries and limited life coal mining in certain locations of the Upper Hunter Valley.
“There is no amount of compromise, or future mine planning, that could compensate for the potential harm the Bickham mine could cause to our waterways, industry, jobs and region,” Mr Messara said.
John Messara was appearing before the PAC on behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Inc. He is the immediate past President of the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse Ltd. John Messara is the proprietor of Arrowfield Stud, the largest Australian owned Thoroughbred Breeding farm in the Upper Hunter.
