These last few months have been hard, and stressful! The Government has certainly encouraged mining and the results are visible. We are hearing of a new company active north of Oceana Golds Wharekirauponga permits, and have been sad to see permits also issued to the likes of Aussie miner Clive Palmer (via Mineralogy, his company).
Sadly, it seems that the industry has heard this call, and they are coming!
On top of that, there is the Fasttrack looming, with all that it entails, including the loss of basic public participation, and potential for mining consents to be issued within just 6 months – and yet last week we are heard of job cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency, on top of those in conservation and other important areas that we need to manage Aotearoa’s globally unique environment – particularly vital when you consider the timeframes these agencies will have to consider major applications!
Thee Government are also are bringing in a number of law changes which will significantly alter how our natural environment is managed, as well as how Aotearoa is seen by the rest of the world. Most of the changes specifically focus on facilitating development – seemingly at all costs!
And all of the companies that are applying to mine, in our area at least, are not Aotearoa based/owned companies, they are here to make a profit while the gold price is high and the Government is compliant.
This Government are not only opening the door wide to the mining industry, they are also shutting the door on our rights to have a say!
Watchdog is actively organising new groups across the region with a great public meeting at Coroglen recently (get in touch if you missed it and what to connect in to those locals) and another one shortly at Maratoto. We are building a new group in Thames to support the south west of Hauraki and we are testing an old mine site at Maratoto to get a base line for future water quality concerns.
We are also monitoring the miners activity which includes currently flying drones over DOC land and soil sampling as they scout for drill holes.
There will be peaceful community action in the next months to highlight the issues and risks and to let the miners know they are not welcome in our forests, so be sure and keep an eye on our socials! Support from the wider friends of Watchdog will be essential and we will keep you updated. The miners sure don’t come out to tell us what they are doing, where and when, what the risks are and allow our communities to challenge them. And if the Government prevents us from using the legal processes to challenge them in the Court we will have to protect the land for future generations ourselves.
Our communities need to be ready to respond, to act, when the call comes. Please, have the conversation with your friends, your neighbours locally or with your networks in the cities. Encourage them to get informed – and to be ready to support us through direct non-violent action, by becoming a sustaining donor (which gives us some certainty to plan our work), making a donation or emailing the Prime Minister or the Minister of Conservation!
Thank you for your support, your encouragement and your willingness to stand for our environment against this greedy, destructive industry!
Our Government has been clear that not only do they want mining, but they do not care what we think. So, it is up to us!