It is becoming increasingly evident that New Zealand, even with its current relatively small population, is already heading down the path of so-called developing countries — previously less sympathetically known as third-world countries.
For them to avoid the excesses of man-made pollution, it was necessary to position themselves higher up on hillsides and in valleys closer to the source of rivers.
Here in Central Otago, surrounded by precious landscapes, lakes and near the source of rivers, we are indiscriminately producing unacceptable amounts of pollution at our own front door and irresponsibly passing it on to those further downstream.
It’s bad enough to discover that wastewater is currently being discharged into the Shotover River from the Queenstown district treatment plant and similarly from Hāwea into the Hāwea River, with both ultimately feeding into the Clutha — a significant lifeblood of the region.
To add insult to injury we find ourselves being confronted with the absurd possibility of a large open cast goldmine straddling the Bendigo and Ardgour Stations. The first pit will be 1km long by 900m wide and 200m deep.
For a moment, let’s underplay the more obvious negative effects of noise, lights and the visual pollution a large-scale operation presents in a prominent visual position.
It will be seen from two main roads when driving between Wānaka and Cromwell and the early stages of the drive from Cromwell through to the Lindis Pass.
Let’s also try to grapple with dismissive utterances coming out of the Beehive in Wellington from the Minister of Regional Development and Resources stating that "if Freddy the frog gets in the way, goodbye Freddy". Recently a moth got a similar reference.
This is a dangerous and obvious attempt to divert attention away from the full seriousness of the hazards and damage that is at stake. It was also a mischievous attempt to promote and sell his version of progress, which in this case is much closer to destruction raping the land.
These dangerous comments do alert one to the narrowness of thinking when the prospect of making a quick buck rears its ugly head.
Surely the concerns that must be front and centre are dangerous levels of ground, air and water pollution in a location highly exposed to strong gusty winds, heavy rain, extremely dry ground conditions and the widespread, increasing numbers of major weather events.
The high levels of toxic chemicals — in particular arsenic and cyanide — required to filter out the gold from the crushed rock have the real potential to be released into the air and seep into the ground and local streams, particularly considering the location and the conditions that exist there.
The attempts that are being made to eliminate these risks consist of a tailings storage facility, to be 260m wide, and will include a tailings dam. Seepage is a normal occurrence in tailings dams and because of this are more dangerous through the poisons they contain.
The primary causes for their failures are recognised as instability, foundation failure and overtopping, as well as uncontrollable external factors such as earthquakes and seepage.
Furthermore, New Zealand is often cited as the second-riskiest country globally after Bangladesh for natural disasters, particularly earthquakes.
It’s hard to come up with a more unsuitable and susceptible location when considering the uncontrollable factors that exist on the slopes of Bendigo — a disaster in waiting.
It will be irresponsible for the project to go ahead, let alone that it’s being considered for fast-tracking. What sort of legacy are we leaving for future generations?
The mining company will no doubt want to do what it can to deal with problems as inexpensively as possible. After all is said and done they will be accountable to the pressures of keeping their Australian investors financially happy.
If things go haywire on Bendigo, to what extent will it be possible for the mining company to take their bat and ball and go home to Australia without further commitment?
They must think Kiwis are an easy touch.
• Glenn Turner is a longtime Wānaka resident.
