Fast track list an invoice from the Rights Donor class masquerading as an infrastructure plan

By
Martyn Bradbury
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29
857

Government’s Fast-track bill sparks controversy

The Fast-track Approvals Bill marks the fourth attempt by Trans Tasman Resources to mine sand off the Taranaki coast.

The Government announced that 149 out of nearly 400 projects, including TTR’s proposal for a 65.76 square kilometre operation near the Kupe oil rig, are now included in the bill.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngārewa-Packer says the Government is flexing its legislative power to gamble on an experimental sector that has repeatedly failed in the courts.

The Fast track list an invoice from the Rights Donor class masquerading as an infrastructure plan…

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…the Greens are righteously cynical…

The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process.

“The government is set to unleash environmental destruction across Aotearoa, while using some potentially worthy projects as a diversion,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.

…Labour is equally critical…

The coalition Government’s backroom deals with coal and ironsand mining companies have finally been revealed – and it’s not pretty.

“The coalition Government has just confirmed a line-up of projects that could wreak havoc on our natural environment,” Labour’s acting environment spokesperson David Parker said.

“The list includes previously rejected projects like Trans-Tasman Resources’ seabed mining and the Waitaha Hydro Project – both rejected for their adverse effects on the environment.

“It’s now clear why the Government has hidden this list for so long.

…and Greenpeace is scathing…

Christopher Luxon’s bleak vision of New Zealand as a giant open-cast mine comes one step closer as the Government announces eleven mining projects it will push through under the controversial fast-track approvals process, says Greenpeace.

Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee says, “This is no surprise, but it’s still a shock to hear that amidst the climate and biodiversity crises, this Government is going to forge ahead with eleven new mines using the much-maligned fast track approvals process.

“It’s especially concerning to see that the Trans-Tasman Resources Taranaki seabed mining project is on the list after being such an abject failure in the environment court and Supreme Court and attracting such widespread opposition from mana whenua, the environmental movement and the offshore wind industry.”

…this Government are hiding the ecological damage for their mining industry donor class behind projects of genuine worth and hoping Kiwis are too fatigued to respond.

This is environmental vandalism masquerading as infrastructure at a time when the South Island is drenched in extreme rain fall.

On the one hand we have a climate that is burning, on the other hand we have a Government enabling the polluters who are causing the planet to burn.

The problem for the Right is that climate change is only going to get more catastrophic and worse quicker, and their attempts to bullshit the voting public will vanish.

Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.

29 COMMENTS

  1. Greenpeace would like us all to live in caves and contemplate .
    We do not have enough houses due to red tape ,we do not have high paying jobs except for public servants due to red tape ,
    infrastructure is lacking due to red tape . We now have a government that will get thinks moving and the public pressure will keep them on their toes if it leads to poor environmental outcome.
    Y

    • Clearly the only “red tape” here is your pre programed right wing nut job dialogue set to repeat repeat mode.

    • You idiot.
      Greenpeace would like to maintain the planet’s eco-systems and bio-diversity in a healthy state to ensure the future well-being of both and our own species for the next millennia. This includes not squandering natural and mineral resources in an orgy of polluting, climate changing and destructive consumption over a brief century or two in the name of profit, most of which is appropriated by a vanishing small percentage of the world’s population
      They’re your descendants’ best friends and protector.s

    • Last time we did away with red tape on housing under National we got leaky homes. Some people are very simple and just can’t learn.

  2. If we choose not to mine in NZ we have to get the minerals we consume from countries that do.

    Without mining there is no Green Revolution. No electricity, no wind turbines- no solar or electric vehicles.
    Undersea mining produces silver,, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc.
    Let’s listen to legitimate environmental concerns but ask how could we do this – not why shouldn’t we.

    I remember the fierce opposition to the Martha mine at Waihi but they developed an elegant tailings storage facility which demonstrated what could be achieved when engineers and environmentalists work together.

    We need to ask whether it is reasonable or ethical to expect to benefit from technologies but refuse to help contribute the minerals (where we can) that make them possible.

    • so what happens to the tailings once the mine is abandoned ?Are they returned to where they came from or just left to slide down a hill into the nearest river or like the silt at Tairawhiti find its way into the ocean destroying lives and ecology in the rivers and sea .All those mangrove swamps that are now appearing on the coast estuaries are the direct result of man made erosion and subdivision silt entering the water ways .Mangroves do not grow in sand they need nutrients from mud to grow .I have seen similar destruction at Mangawhai and at Port Albert on the Kaipara harbour where there were sandy estuaries which are now mangrove swamps .These were safe swimming and play areas 50 years ago where we spent countless hours when I was growing up .

  3. Bathhurst/ Talleys coal operations at Huntly have been advertising HT operating jobs for weeks for their open cast extension fields. ( 2nd largest in Nz )

    Maybe they have had a PRE nod to go ahead but coincided nicely with Luxie’s call for ” we need more digger drivers. “

  4. Maybe we should mine under Auckland first then all the other main centers as I m sure there will be a shit load of minerals under there and the environment is already destroyed .

  5. The so called rare vanadium is only worth $50 a ton and thousands of tons of sand has to be extracted to get that single ton .We are going to have to move a lot of sand to get $2 billion in royalties that Dr Pork barrel Jones keeps talking about as the royalty on that ton will be 50 cents at best .

  7. That fast track list is exactly the same list as the Australian Labour Party. Maybe they should just merge.

  8. Many of the people posting seem to overlook the fact that National went to the country with the message of what they would fo when on power .All they are doing is following up on their promises and getting thinks done .
    We all benefit when there is a vibrant economy .

    • Yet the country isn’t vibrant. So to promise so many corrupt practices is proven not to make a country vibrant.

    • What a ridiculous statement. They campaigned on corruption? They certainly campaigned on Dunedin hospital. That was bullshit. They campaigned on rubbish lines like transparency and democracy. How did that work out?

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