Importance of New Zealand’s largest mining region underscored
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The high profile West Coast mining sector can no longer be just characterised as coal and gold but as a linchpin to the region's economy and vital services.
That's the view of Te Tai o Poutini Plan principle planner Loise Easton who offered her opening statement on day one of the formal hearings into the proposed ‘one district plan’.
The all-encompassing plan will eventually replace the current three district plans that operate across the West Coast.
She noted the region had the largest coal mine in New Zealand, at Stockton – with an historic footprint bigger in area than the city of Christchurch.
At the same time “a plethora” of other resources in the ground such as rare earth minerals were coming into prominence thanks to international demand for high tech components for the likes of electric cars and solar panels.
“Often it’s a case of many of those things people haven’t paid much attention to in the past, but now are part of the potential economic future of the West Coast.”
Easton told hearing commissioner Paul Roger that while employment numbers at Stockton were lower than historically, the region was largely dominated by many small mines employing from two to three people.
Easton said even though the domestic coal market was being pared back the necessity for high quality thermal coal exported from the region for steel manufacture "can't be replaced" yet.
At the same time gold mining in the region remained significant.
The mainly alluvial gold sector was not in decline as evidenced in the Reefton area with significant investigation of new permits underway.
“Mineral extraction is what the West Coast has been built on. With the decline in coal, it does not mean the end of mining on the West Coast,” said Easton.
A big question for the TTPP planners had been what happened when current mine licences expired, and this had partly driven the designation of a Minerals Zone within the proposed plan, she said.
Currently much of the region was subject to Crown Mineral Licence system, with the likes of Stockton still operating under that system after decades rather than through the newer RMA regime.
However while Stockton's licence was due to expire in 2028, the footprint was huge with significant parts of the Stockton Plateau subject to extensive and ongoing rehabilitation, including over areas that had historic acid mine problems dating from 19th century mining.
“All of these are in the wider Stockton area, operating under the mining licence system.
“While stuff may not be coming out of the ground, rehabilitation is going on.”
This had seen “huge impact” in the improved health of some Buller waterways by dealing with a legacy of leaching from aggregates exposed through mining back to the 19th century.
Easton said while mining drove a "huge strategic direction" the other reality was the region also had five national parks within its boundary, with 84% of the land area under Crown agency control.
Alongside that much of the private land in the region - to be subject to the SNA process - had significant biodiversity along a long and significant coastline.
As such, the recently promulgated West Coast Policy Statement "does set a very strong direction for the natural environment."
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.5% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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