Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Government must deliver for Westport

Government must deliver for Westport

National Party Energy and Resources Spokesperson Jonathan Young is calling on the Government to make a positive decision on access for the Te Kuha Mine after visiting the site recently.

“The Te Kuha Mine is a crucially important regional development opportunity for Westport and the Buller region,” Mr Young says.

“Fifty-eight high paying jobs would make a big difference to a region that’s had some tough times. And those pay packets will flow into more jobs in the retail and service sectors in Westport.

“It’s a big deal for the town, and local MP Damien O’Connor should be supporting it.

“The Government’s new policy that will stop new mining on DOC land needs to be rejected. Not all DOC land has high conservation value, and modern mining ensures sites are rehabilitated with net environmental benefits to the region.

“A 497 hectare biodiversity management and habitat enhancement programme will be developed adjacent to the mine as well as a further 5000 hectare programme off-site.

“It’s important to understand that the high-grade metallurgical coal from this mine can be used for the development of products like activated carbon used in filters for water and air purification and in kidney dialysis machines.

“Te Kuha coal is most likely to be used for steel production. Today’s renewable electricity infrastructure requires high quality steel. Whether it is for wind, hydro or geothermal turbines, high pressure water and steam piping, or the cables electricity runs through, it’s definitely still part of our future.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The West Coast coal fields are New Zealand’s only known source of metallurgical (coking) coal, which is valued internationally for its low ash and sulphur content. The world still needs this high quality coal, and will use it in a myriad of ways – other than burning it for heat.

“The Government is incredibly myopic if they think closing down the opportunity to extract such high grade coal is in the best interests for New Zealand or the West Coast, or will accelerate us to a net zero carbon future. That future needs the high quality products Te Kuha coal can create.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.