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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Not too late for Govt to say no to mining DOC land

Certainly not too late for Govt to say no to mining DOC land at Te Kuha


19 December 2017-- Contrary to what the Government has implied today, it's not too late to say no to the Te Kuha opencast mine on the West Coast, Coal Action Network said today.

"If the World Bank can stop funding new fossil fuel developments, New Zealand can do the same," said Cindy Baxter CANA spokesperson.

"The New Zealand Government has only just joined the 'powering past coal' initiative, and has been very clear about no new mines on conservation land. Both are very strong reasons for the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Energy Minister Megan Woods to refuse access for coal miners to rip off the top of a mountain at Te Kuha - in the Mt Rochfort Conservation area, home to Great Spotted Kiwi and other endangered creatures and plants.

"Climate change Minister James Shaw implied on National Radio this morning that some projects like Te Kuha could be too far advanced for the Government to stop it, but he is dead wrong," said Baxter.

"This is precious conservation land, and this is a new coal mine. It is certainly not too late for the Government to put its foot down and refuse access to an opencast mine. We wonder who has been bending the Government's ear to try to convince them otherwise - the previous government had not made up its mind, and it's now down to the Coalition Government to take a lead here.

"Access to this DOC land for mining has always been a dubious concept, the mine's consent is now under appeal, and the Government can - and must - draw a line in the sand and say no."

ends


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.

© 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.