Mining protest hijacks bridge opening
West Coasters came out in huge numbers to protest against a plan to ban new mining on Department of Conservation land.
About 5000 people turned out to voice their anger during the opening of the West Coast’s new $25.8 million Taramakau Bridge on Sunday.
The bridge, between Greymouth and Kumara Junction on State Highway 6, replaces the last rail road bridge in New Zealand. Labour’s West Coast MP, Damien O’Connor, opened the bridge and acknowledged the issues raised.
‘‘Without mining, this bridge wouldn’t be possible. We need to continue with mining in order to construct key infrastructure around the country,’’ he said.
The protest against the ban on new mines on DOC land will likely have a major impact on the West Coast, where DOC administers about 84 per cent of the land. In 2016, mining contributed 12.7 per cent of the region’s GDP (gross domestic product).
Organiser and Grey district councillor Peter Haddock said 860 tonnes of coal was used to produce the steel for the new bridge.
‘‘The rally was planned as a peaceful event which did not affect the opening celebrations of this important milestone as the last combined road rail bridge crossing on the West Coast,’’ he said. ‘‘But [it was] planned as a show of solidarity against the undemocratic and non-consulted decisions by an unelected minister which, if enacted, will result in a massive downturn in the whole West Coast economy.’’
The proposed ban would drive people from the coast and put ‘‘further pressure on our ability as ratepayers to fund essential services’’, he said.
‘‘The mining footprint on the West Coast is only 15 sq km compared to the total 3500 sq km of the West Coast,’’ Haddock said.
A lobby group called Go West Coast has been set up to challenge the ban and call for access to stewardship land, which they say is DOC land that does not have high conservation values.
West Coast farmer and mining supporter Katie Milne said access to stewardship land was essential for farming and had brought 2000 jobs and $700m to the region.
‘‘If it’s done to us, it must include us. It would have massive consequences for us all on the West Coast. Jobs will be lost and people will have to leave. I have a new grandson and I want for him, if he chooses, to live here in the future and not be forced to leave for lack of opportunity,’’ she said.
Westland mayor Bruce Smith said the proposed ban would also affect the pounamu and lime industries. He said the average mining wage was $114,000 but the average tourism wage was $40,000.