The 40 year old wine producer expressed fears mine tunnels would affect the quality of the soil in which their vineyards thrive. The Margaret River Wine Industry Association (MRWIA) boldly approached the State government about the possible effects.

The association's chief executive Nick Power says the plan of eastern states-based company LD Operations to establish an underground coal mine would affect the agricultural area.

He said, "The Association board met this week and it's made a firm resolution that coal mining in Margaret River as a proposal would have a detrimental impact on the wine industry and impinge greatly not only on the wine brand but also the tourism image of the area.”

The Margaret River region enjoys a Mediterranean style climate. Vineyards are not affected by extreme summer and winter temperatures and humidity levels are ideal during the growing period. For decades, the nearly 5,000 hectares under vine has consistently yielded high quality fruit of intense flavour.

The 300 members of the MRWIA are concerned about the subsidence and hydrologic environmental impacts of the mine tunnels. Coal mines have been noted to cause sinking, or worse, the collapse of the top soil into underground voids. Even ground water levels change near mining sites.