Save Happy Valley Campaign Update 10
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to the tenth update on our campaign to save Happy Valley from Solid Energy’s grasp. And welcome to all our new supporters! It’s been a while since the last update but we expect to have more regular, and more compact, updates coming out once the current website revamp is completed. So what’s been happening?
Happy Valley Still Safe and Pristine
The campaign to save Happy Valley has so far put Solid Energy somewhere between 12-18 months behind schedule. At this point there have been no attempts to prepare Happy Valley for mining, and this includes the all-essential road system (projected to take up to 7 months). Solid Energy’s website says development is now set to begin in “late 2006”, but we have no confirmation of this as yet and are currently drawing up plans to deal with these future developments.
The Occupation Nears 6 Months
The land occupation of Happy Valley is quickly coming up to the six month mark, having started on 28th January and been maintained by over 200 supporters so far. Preparations have been made to handle winter, and already we’ve seen a good bit of snow. In May about 20 people braved wintry conditions to haul in the various parts for a yurt – a 20 sided structure traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia – to house our winter campers and retain the warmth from our new pot belly stove (burning only dead wood of course!).
We need ongoing support for the occupation, which is the main bastion against mining in the Valley. Principally we need donations of food, cash (see below) and campers to help maintain the occupation. If you’re an experienced tramper with appropriate gear for cold and wet conditions, and are able to dedicate a week or so, please contact us at occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz or visit http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/occupation.htm..
The Snails Head to Court
The Powelliphanta augustus snails on the nearby Augustus ridgeline have stepped up their battle. The Augustus ridgline is an extension of Solid Energy’s Stockton mine, much the same way Happy Valley is, and is habitat to great spotted kiwi and the only known population of the Powelliphanta augustus snail (different, but related, to Happy Valley’s Powelliphanta patrickensis snail). In early April, Conservation Minister Chris Carter made the unprecedented move of allowing the snail to be relocated and mining to proceed, arguing that the economic factors outweighed any environmental considerations. Due to the snail’s small population and the untested transfer habitat this puts the rare snail at high risk of extinction. This view has been backed up by the Department of Conservation’s own scientists as well as the Royal Society.
Technical difficulties with the snail relocation have thus far delayed Solid Energy in its mining of the area, and this month the Save Happy Valley Coalition took Solid Energy to the Environment Court over breaches of their resource consent and we have also filed for a Judicial Review of Chris Carter’s decision. Both these cases will significantly delay Solid Energy, cost the corporation, and potentially result in the salvation of Powelliphanta augustus and its 5 hectare habitat.
International Biodiversity Day Protests
The Minister of Conservation’s decision on the fate of the Augustus snails was met with protests across Aotearoa on 22nd May to mark International Biodiversity Day. Wellington’s Cuba Mall briefly became home to a large Augustus snail whilst Solid Energy’s headquarters in Christchurch drew a crowd of protesters. In Dunedin, a bit of street theatre saw snails hunted down in the central city Octagon by Solid Energy officials and in Nelson a petition was launched.
Christchurch Students March
High school students organised a march and an impressive banner drop in central Christchurch on the 6th June. The students organised a mock funeral for the Augustus snail, carrying a small coffin and crosses, while they chanted and handed out leaflets to lunchtime workers and shoppers. The march followed weeks of preparation and in-class investigation into Happy Valley and Solid Energy’s planned mine.
Christchurch Benefit Dinner
Over 100 people attended a benefit dinner on11th May in Christchurch to show their support for the campaign to save Happy Valley. A delicious 3 course vegan banquet was served, and several members of the Coalition talked to those present about the campaign, how they can help and the issue of climate change. A slideshow of photos from the 2 years of campaigning ran throughout the night, and some wonderful local musicians entertained during dessert. Thanks to everyone who helped out!
Upcoming Benefit Gig
A benefit gig is being planned for Christchurch, so keep your ears out for more information in the near future! If you know any musicians who you think would be keen to play, please email savehappyvalley@yahoo.com..
Get Involved!
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch groups all have regular organising meetings, to which all are welcome to attend. Nelson is currently organising via phone ad email. If you’d like to help out, contact your local group:
Auckland: auckland@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Wellington: wellington@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Christchurch: savehappyvalley@yahoo.com
Nelson: ael@tasman.net or (03) 548 6803
Leaflets, Stickers, Postcards...
We have recently updated the leaflet and also done a rerun of the bumper stickers and the postcards. To order, please send your name and address, plus quantities needed, to:
The Green Room
16 Bedford Row
Christchurch
(03) 372 1375
chchgreens@xtra.co.nz
Donations and Support
As a bunch of grassroots activists we’re used to running on the smell of an oily rag, but with some recent expenses (the yurt, a new leaflet print-run and the court cases) we’re a bit too poor for comfort! Current accounts are about $400 in the red, so we’d appreciate any help to get us back in the black.
Cheques can be made out to “Save Happy Valley Coalition” and sent to us at:
Save Happy Valley Coalition
PO Box 9263
Te Aro
Wellington
Direct transfers can be made to the following account:
Name: Save Happy Valley Coalition
Account number: 38-9003-0334146-00
If you would like to set up a regular donation to us, please download the Automatic Payment form (PDF) or email us and we'll send one out to you. Just fill these out, sign, and take into your bank. A regular donation of just $5 goes a long way.
Thanks for all your support! If you’re interested in getting more involved in the campaign, check out the “Get Involved” page on out website, at http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/getinvolved.htm
~ Torrance
Save Happy Valley Coalition
contact@savehappyvalley.org.nz
http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz
