Straterra calls for rational approach

Posted in: Media Releases: Friday, 19 March 2010

Straterra calls for rational approach

Straterra, the group representing the national resources industry, has called for an end to “speculation and misinterpretation” in advance of the release of the Government’s Schedule 4 review.

Schedule 4 covers certain land administered by the Department of Conservation with differing environmental values, some of which has mineral potential.

Straterra spokesman Chris Baker said that recent misleading claims and misinterpretation of facts were clouding the issue.

“The reality is that the Government has made a sensible decision to establish a greater understanding of our country’s mineral wealth and to explore the possibilities of increasing economic prosperity for the benefit of all New Zealanders,” he said.

“The Government has also made it clear that the current review will be followed by an opportunity for full public debate. The natural resources industry is united in its support of this decision to encourage rational economic and environmental consideration of areas of potential interest.

“However, inaccurate and misleading statements are being made regularly in advance of the release of the review report.

“For instance, I frequently see the term ‘opening up land to mining’ being used, as if this means that bulldozers will be lined up at the pass. What nonsense! New Zealand’s land is protected by some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world, including the Resource Management Act. Mining companies and the public already demand that high standards are maintained, and that is not going to change.”