Margaret River region wineries on board with anti-fracking pledge

Nineteen signatures have been gathered in online registrations, representing wineries scattered across the Margaret River region. 

Winemaker Vanya Cullen, Young Winemaker of the Year Nic Peterkin, and Prevelli Wines’ Tonia Home have all signed the register, joining Mary Heydon, Wines by Brad’s Brad Wehr and Juanita Fogarty of Abbey Vale Wines.

A number of other wineries have indicated that they will sign the pledge once the harvest season is over, with staff busy in the vineyards.

The winemakers are the latest group of locals to throw their support behind the Lock the Gate Alliance, with surfer Taj Burrow and musician John Butler vocal supporters of the anti-fracking movement. 

Earlier this month, author Tim Winton spoke out against the practice in a series of short documentaries aimed at encouraging voters in the WA State election to consider the issue at the polls. 

“The fracking industry is not welcome in WA,” Mr Winton said of the controversial practice. 

“A government that welcomes frackers isn’t just reckless – it’s a government that’s completely lost touch with the people,” he said.

Jules Kirby of Frack Free Future said the topic must be high on the agenda for voters.

“As we go to the polls here in WA the defining question for all of us must be: which parties will protect us from this dangerous and accident-prone industry, and which will unleash it despite the clear and growing opposition of West Australians throughout the state,” she said.