The Labour Party is calling on the Government to
immediately release its discussion document on mining in
conservation land so the public can see what it is planning.
The document, originally expected in February, is now going
to be released "in due course", Prime Minister John Key said
yesterday.
He described some media reports about the Government's
intentions as "hysterical" and said the public should reserve
judgment until they saw what was on the table.
Labour's conservation spokesman, David Parker, asked why the
document was being delayed.
"Perhaps the main agenda here is to make it easier to mine in
the Coromandel and in other parts of the conservation estate
outside of national parks," he said.
"It is called conservation land because it is meant to be
conserved."
The Government last year carried out a stocktake of minerals
in the conservation estate, and is considering taking parts
of it out of schedule four in the Crown Minerals Act which
protects it from mining.
Forest and Bird says the Government is planning to allow
mining in 7000 hectares of high-value conservation land in
the West Coast's Paparoa National Park, Great Barrier Island
and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Mr Key would not confirm or deny that.
He said some information had been leaked, but that did not
mean it was correct or would be in the final document.
"What is important is not to narrow the debate to solely
schedule four...it is important to recognise that only a
third of conservation land is schedule four land."
Mr Key said the Government wanted to balance the economic
benefits from some increased mining activity with
environmental responsibilities.
That was why the Government was carefully working through
what was an important issue.
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) said last night it
was "gobsmacked" by the suggestion that Great Barrier Island
might be opened to mining.
"If the predictions regarding Great Barrier Island are
correct, then I think the Government would be making a big
mistake," said EDS chairman Gary Taylor.
"Great Barrier Island is the jewel in the crown of the
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. It is a valued boating and
holidaying venue for many Aucklanders, its environmental and
landscape values are extraordinary."
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