Thu, 19 Aug 2004

Anti-Mining Victory in Coromandel

Coromandel Peninsula residents are claiming victory against mining following a protest in Thames today.

A march of 205 residents converged on the Thames Coromandel District Council to hear that before they arrived the council had reversed an earlier decision and voted unanimously to appeal an Environment Court decision opening the Pensinsula to mining.

Previously the council had not opposed variations to its proposed district scheme put forward by the New Zealand Mining Industry Association.

Watchdog spokesperson Mark Tugendhaft says it is important that the council now mounts a staunch defence of its district plan prohibiting mining in its appeal to the High Court.

"The council has hope4fully heard the people and now the mining industry must al;so listen and realise once and for all that they are not welcome here.

"The battle is far from over but today we took a step towards ensuring the Peninsula is not ravaged and sustainable activities are allowed to continue to prosper."

ENDS