Community Group left out of meetings about oil and gas activity

Taranaki Energy Watch has been excluded from pre-hearing meetings where key sections of the District Plan in relation to oil and gas activities were discussed. This occurred despite multiple requests from the energy group to be included.

The Council had initially claimed it was unable to host pre-hearing meetings due to costs, but then went and met with Shell Todd and others in the oil industry without involving or informing other interested community members.

Spokesperson for Taranaki Energy Watch, Alan Thatcher, says this is “at odds” with the regular District Plan process.

“There is often a feeling in Taranaki that decisions are being made behind closed doors with industry and without the community, but the District Plan is meant to be an inclusive process.We have found out that not only have our requests been ignored, but we’ve been actively excluded from discussions on the plan,” he says. “Other councils hold pre-hearing meetings with submitters since they are an informal chance to settle issues, thus saving time and expense at the hearing”.

Taranaki Energy Watch has been fundraising for the past year to pay for expert advice about the risk of explosion, and the effects to our health and environment as a result of oil and gas activity in the local community.

“We feel especially disappointed because we have put in real effort to bring the best type of information to the Council to help make the District Plan a robust one.”

ENDS

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