CommunityAction For People and Planet

Motueka Public Forum on Happy Valley/Cypress Mine, March 7.

The First Motueka Community Forum was held last Tuesday at Motueka's Community House in Decks Reserve. The forum, whose topic was the proposed Cypress Mine in Happy Valley near Westport , attracted a diverse audience of over 4O people, who engaged in a lively, rowdy discussion. Green MP Nandor Tanczos was later heard to say it was the rudest public meeting he had ever been to.

Official speakers at the event were Alan Liefting of the Save Happy Valley Coalition; Debs Martin, Top of the South Conservation Officer from the Forest and Bird Society; and Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos.

West Coast based National MP Chris Auchinvole turned down the invitation to speak, as did state owned mining company Solid Energy, and the Department of Conservation. Local MP Damien O'Connor offered a last minute apology due to conditions at Wellington airport. Forum participants and organisers alike aired their regret that no official representatives of pro mining groups fronted up to present their views on the proposed mine.

Forum organisers CommunityAction for People and Planet had promoted the event as an opportunity for locals with opposing points of view to discuss the issue in a respectful atmosphere. Forum Chair Duncan Eddy was pleased that the forum attracted members of the community with diverging viewpoints, but he was disappointed at the lack of respect that some members of the public showed to the panel of speakers and to each other. At one point Mr Eddy warned one impassioned supporter of the mine that threats of violence would not be tolerated and he would have to leave unless he toned down his behaviour.

Alan Liefting opened the meeting with a presentation on the Save Happy Valley Coalition campaign so far. Certain members of the audience seemed more intent on disrupting the meeting than participating positively, interrupting Mr Liefting's speech at a number of points and prompting repeated warnings from the Chair. Mr Liefting discussed the ongoing occupation at the site, and the non-violent direct action philosophy the group was pursuing.

Next speaker was Debs Martin from Forest and Bird, who talked about the ecological value of Happy Valley . Wetlands such as Happy Valley are areas where New Zealand 's richest biodiversity exists. The Valley harbours 13 endangered species protected by the 1953 Wildlife Act. These species are threatened by mining destroying their natural habitat.

Final speaker, Green MP Nandor Tanczos, focused upon the global issues associated with the proposed coal mine, such as climate change and peak oil. Burning coal, whether in China or NZ, counteracts international efforts to reduce carbon emissions. He pointed out that exporting coal to China whilst we are importing coal from overseas is greatly adding to oil use and emissions into the atmosphere.

Following these presentations the floor was opened to all present. Questions and discussions in this lively public forum ranged from the effects of the proposed mine on nearby rivers, the Stockton coal mine, and criticism of DOC and of non violent direct action campaigns which go beyond legal measures.

Locals from all walks of life, including Green Party and Grey Power supporters, dreadlocked youth, Peter Talley, Chairman of Talley's Fisheries, and Tasman Mayor John Hurley, came to listen and speak at this forum. CommunityAction was pleased the forum had attracted such a diverse range of people and looks forward to hosting similar events in future.

A recording of the Forum aired on FreshFM, 99.4 and 95.4 FM across the top of the South, on Tuesday March 14 at 3:10pm . The show is online at www.freshfm.net