Mayor defends council role in minerals forum
THERE has been criticism of the Dunedin City Council’s involvement in the upcoming NZ Minerals Forum next month.
The forum includes sessions on coal mining, and because of that, climate change critics demand the council refuse use of councilowned venues. They also demand I do not open the forum with a welcome or speak at any of the sessions.
It is important to note that as well as discussions about coal mining, the forum programme includes an address from the Minister of Energy and Resources, a presentation from Ngai Tahu on its guardianship of the land, and debates on balancing environmental management and economic development.
As well as mining executives, delegates and speakers include representatives from government, iwi, environmental groups and academic institutions.
The council is neither hosting nor organising the forum, and it is unlikely the council could legally refuse use of publicly owned facilities for legal activities.
I will take the opportunity during my opening address to outline DCC environmental/climate change policies such as divestment from fossil fuel extraction companies, opposing offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction, and our city’s goal to be netzero carbon by 2050.
In my other speaking role as president of Local Government New Zealand, I will talk about how district plans are used to set the framework for communities’ expectations when it comes to sustainably managing the environment.
Rather than trying to stop the forum being held here, I think it is more constructive to be part of these conversations and clearly articulate DCC’s environmental position directly to the sector and other key stakeholders.
Dave Cull Dunedin Mayor