Iconic Widden Stud fears encroach of coal seam gas

Widden Stud, a 3,000-hectare Widden Valley property in the western region of the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, is the oldest continually owned horse stud in the world.

Ranked among the leader in the Australian thoroughbred industry, Widden Stud has been owned by the Thompson family since 1867 after John Thompson first acquired land in 1855.

Widden Stud is now owned by Antony Thompson, who is the seventh generation member of the family to own the property.

Anthony Thompson fears the encroach of coal seam gas mining.

“The impact of CSG mining on the farm would destroy our tradition, heritage and image of our business,” he says.

“We find it very difficult to understand the concept that the Thompson family have owned the land at Widden Stud for nearly 150 years and now the New South Wales government allows a gas exploration company to come onto our land.

“They have permission to build roads, sheds, use water from the underground reserves and leave leaky gas wells and pollution yet the landholders do not have the authority to refuse entry,” he says.

“This is not a democratic process.

“We are not in favour of coal mining in this region but at least the coal companies purchase the land for more than market value whereas the CSG mining uses the land, makes a mess and leaves the farmer with an asset that not only has greatly depreciated through no fault of his own but potentially causing the loss of valuable agricultural land.

“The small compensation the CSG companies propose to pay has no bearing on the harm, inconvenience to the business and change of lifestyle for the property owners.

“Land values in Chinchilla have fallen dramatically since CSG mining has commenced,” he noted in his submission to the NSW Parliament Inquiry into Coal Seam Gas.

He advised Widden Stud was located in the northern area of the Wollemi National Park and was surrounded by steep sandstone mountains and rugged gorges.

“In summer we are prone to thunderstorms and in particular, lightning strikes which inevitably strike the higher mountain peaks in the area.

“The combination of the rugged mountains, lightning strikes, inaccessibility and dry conditions make it an explosive situation with the eucalypt forests.

“Combine these attributes with CSG mining and it has the potential for a devastating event.

“Methane gas is an odourless, colourless, asphyxiant gas that is extremely flammable.

“The process of drilling and extracting gas involves heavy machinery and people and there is also the possibility of fires starting on site.

“We are amazed that CSG gining is exempt from fire regulations.”