Press Release from Buller District Businesses Regarding Solid Energy

Buller District businesses are extremely concerned that, in debating the future of Solid Energy, Treasury Officials and the National Government may overlook the effects of any continuing uncertainty on our communities.

It seems clear that, in order for Solid Energy to overcome their financial crisis, the Stockton Opencast mine must continue to operate as it alone has the capacity to generate the income and profits required.

From an out-sider’s perspective, sensible business practise generally dictates that, in times of crisis, any company’s first priority is to sever or cease operations that are not producing profit.

In our view, the best outcome for our district is for Solid Energy to continue operations at Stockton and seek to on-sell Spring Creek to private investors who are in a position to re-start and progress development of the mine – providing some much needed certainty for the Grey District.

In any event, we urge both Treasury and Government to involve our communities in the planning and thought processes being worked through and offer our expertise and understanding of the local environments to those involved.

To that end, we are seeking urgent meetings with Government ministers and Treasury officials so that our views and concerns can be discussed before any decisions are made.

ENDS 

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