The environmental protection group Coromandel Watchdog of
Hauraki is today holding a rally in the Wentworth Valley
near Whangamatā to support the National Day of Action
organised by Greenpeace Aotearoa against development on
conservation land.
“ Our community is participating
in the national day of action to protect conservation land
because the last thing we need is more development in our
forests. already have mining companies preparing for toxic
gold mining on this land and the Conservation Amendment Bill
is the last straw.
Today our people are rallying at
noon in the Wentworth Valley to oppose the Conservation Bill
and the mining company Rua Gold mining who are pushing for 9
drill holes in this beautiful conservation forest. Some of
our community are also protesting against the mining
policies of Shane Jones who will be at a meeting in Thames
at 2pm. We must protect the forests not the greed of
multinational miners” said Catherine Delahunty, Chair of
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki.
“Rua Gold want to
drill for gold and then apply to the Fast Track law to mine
across a permit area from Maratoto on the western
conservation lands across to the Wentworth Valley. This area
is very popular with recreational users and contains rare
plant species and endangered birds such as fern birds, kaka
and yellow crowned kakariki. Hochstetters and Archeys frogs
are also in the permit area. The forest itself includes
stands of mature kauri and totara. Drilling and potentially
mining in this area is unacceptable.
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We are rallying
today alongside people all over the country who want to
protect conservation land for future generations rather than
open it up for developments that threaten the habitat. “
Ms Delahunty said.
Rally site – 12
Noon Wentworth Valley Rd – end by Holiday Park
Wentworth
Valley Rd – end by Holiday Park
Public meeting on local
mining threats – 3pm at Opoutere Hall
Shane Jones rally
– 2pm at Thames Civic
Centre
