The Western Australian government is looking at ways of protecting the Margaret River from future mining applications. ast month the region’s Environmental Protection Agency threw out LD Operations’ Vasse Coal project to mine 15km from the renowned wine region. In the wake of that success, WA premier Colin Barnett said his government is considering proposals for legislation that would permanently protect the region from mining. This would be legislation similar to the Swan Valley Act which protects the ‘heritage grape area’ northeast of Perth from future mining operations.