Minister backtracks on public input on mining Denniston

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson needs to stop ducking for cover and reassure the public that they will have a meaningful say over whether the Denniston Plateau is mined.

"The public need to have input on whether the precious Denniston Plateau can be mined," said West Coast-based Green MP, Kevin Hague.

The only other place like it in the world is the Stockton plateau and that has been devastated by open-cast mining already.
"I'm growing increasingly concerned the Government is backtracking on their promise to New Zealand that 'significant applications to mine on public land should be publicly notified'.

"New Zealanders are deeply interested in proposals to mine in our most precious wild places. The public response to National's proposal to mine in National Parks was strong evidence of this.

"Denniston's unique ecosystem is home to great spotted kiwi, bonsai rata, and miniature freshwater crayfish. The only other place like it in the world is the Stockton plateau and that has been devastated by open-cast mining already."

Kevin Hague asked the Minister specifically in the House in September whether she would publicly notify any access agreement required to mine the Denniston Plateau. The Minister dodged the question by answering that the concession application (for an associated coal processing plant) would be publicly notified — something that is legally required anyway.

"To date, the Minister of Conservation has dodged her responsibility to be a strong advocate for the public's interest in protecting the conservation estate," said Mr Hague.

"Large Australian mining companies have no long-term interest in our environment nor our economy and should not be given privileged treatment by this National Government to keep their mining plans out of the public eye.

"Mining dirty coal in our most precious conservation areas has no place in a clean green economy that works for everyone."

Parliamentary Hansard, Question time, 27 September 2011:
http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/10788

Kevin Hague: Does the Minister agree with the resource consent commissioners when they said "it is abundantly clear that large scale mining is poised to invade the entire Denniston Plateau coal reserves which if unchecked, will totally destroy the ecosystems which are present.", and does she not believe it is essential that the access agreement that is being applied for is publicly notified?

Hon KATE WILKINSON: In relation to the public notification, I can advise that if the department intends to grant the Denniston concession application, then public submissions will be invited, and the public can be heard again should it reach that stage.