DoC And Labour Fooling Themselves

DoC's claim, to have done everything possible to reduce the risk to human life and property from a collapse of Mt Ruapehu's crater lake, is demonstrably untrue and reflects an appalling level of self-deception, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today.

"The facts are simple. DoC's own engineering report shows that the cutting of a drainage channel through the tephra rim is the most cost-effective, simplest and surest way to eliminate the risk," Mr Shirley said.

"The Department has steadfastly refused to undertake those works because of `spiritual' sensitivities, and its fear that it could upset the National Park's world heritage status. Conservation Minister Chris Carter and the Department's faith in an alarm system is pathetic, and akin to claiming that the installation of a smoke alarm would remove the risk of fire.

"Labour's claim - that it would not interfere in the crater lake because the options were unworkable, risky or created more dangerous conditions for future lahars - not borne out its their own engineering reports, and is an example of outrageous spin from this Government" says Mr Shirley.

© Scoop Media