Save Happy Valley Campaign Update 5
Since our last update the Save Happy Valley Coalition has been very active and we are still committed to opposing the cypress mine at Happy Valley every step of the way. The more people taking action, the better chance we have of winning. See below for what you can do after the news.
Solid Energy Coal Trains Blockaded
On Saturday the 13th of August, as part of a protest against the proposed Happy Valley mine, three members of the Christchurch Save Happy Valley group blockaded four Solid Energy coal trains for over four hours preventing them from reaching the Lyttleton Port and costing Solid Energy $200, 000 in lost revenue. With a group of about fifteen supporters two people locked onto the railway tracks, while a third was suspended in a tree sit 30 metres above the ground. The three had to be forcibly removed from the tracks by the police and On Track staff and now face charges of trespass, willful trespass and trespass under the railways act. If you would like to contribute to their legal defense donations can be made at account number 38-9003-0568540-00.
Upcoming Public Meeting and Banquet in Otautahi/Christchurch
During the last week of September in Otautahi/Christchurch there will be a public meeting and vegan banquet to help raise funds for the legal costs associated with the direct action side of the campaign. As well as delicious vegan food, there will also be short presentations on why this mine should be stopped and the campaign so far. More details will follow.
New Web Address and Website
The Save Happy Valley Coalition website is now located at www.savehappyvalley.org.nz. The site has been extensively remodeled, and updated to include further information about the mine and its environmental impacts. Check out the content on topics such as climate change, Solid Energy's atrocious environmental record, the Environment Court decision and how you can take action and get involved.
Presentation at National ECO conference
In late June, members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition gave a well received presentation at the annual ECO (Environment and Conservation Organisations) conference in Wellington. As well as outlining the reasons this mine shouldn't proceed we gave a run down on our campaign so far, and the activities of the different groups. We are always keen to network with other environmental groups in Aotearoa and strengthen our solidarity against Solid Energy.
Second National Hui and Coordinator Position
While in Wellington for the ECO conference, representatives from each of the groups involved the Save Happy Valley Coalition met to discuss our future plans and to reiterate our commitment to saving Happy Valley. During the hui we decided to establish a part-time paid coordinator position so that we can more effectively work together to oppose the mine. Their role will be basically administrative and we are calling for people to provide regular automatic payments to support a person in this position for two days a week. So if you can share even a few dollars a week it would be greatly appreciated. Automatic Payment forms can be downloaded from the website or APs can be paid directly into the Save Happy Valley campaign account at 38-9003-0334146-00.
Protest outside DOC office
As part of a protest to highlight the failure of the Department of Conservation to protect endangered species in Happy Valley, card-board cut-outs of “kiwi” were burnt on a “foreign steel mill” outside DOC offices in Wellington in June. After initially opposing the mine DOC has now consented by arranging a side-agreement with Solid Energy. When questioned recently why they did not make a stand against Solid Energy, DOC stated that they would not take on battles they could not win and that Happy Valley is not conservation land. We hope that DOC will reverse this decision and uphold their statutory role to protect native species as well as retracting the support they have shown for Solid Energy.
>High Court Appeal
Forest & Bird have challenged the Environment Court’s May decision in favour of Solid Energy. They have appealed to the High Court on four points of law. Two are concerned with whether the right legal test was used, another relates to whether there was sufficient evidence to support Solid Energy’s proposal to transfer twelve hectares of red tussock wetland communities and the final point was whether the court took into account an irrelevant matter in considering the economic benefits of the mine to taxpayers because Solid Energy is a SOE. The appeal does not prevent Solid Energy from proceeding with preparations for the mine in the meantime and even if the appeal is upheld, the case goes back to the Environment Court to make another decision on its initial findings.
Solid Energy Bullying
From cost-cutting dismissals and neglecting to give adequate pay rises, to failing to resume contracts for union officials, Solid Energy’s employment track record contains many examples of intimidation.
This year, their bullying has also targeted those who oppose their poor environmental practices. In the Environment Court, Solid Energy pressure led to a witness from Landcare research being instructed to mislead court and ultimately caused him to withdraw, see http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/misc/misc19.htm
Then Solid Energy applied for $379,342 in costs in the Environment Court from Forest and Bird and the Buller Conservation Group, for what was only a two week hearing. Consequently, it is no surprise that their immediate response to the recent successful blockade action was to try and intimidate the protesters with threats of claiming damages of two hundred thousand dollars.
Applications and threats of this nature, for such extraordinary amounts, seem to be an attempt by Solid Energy to discourage anyone from taking cases to the Environment Court and intimidate the groups campaigning against the Happy Valley mine.
Solid Energy Plan to Destroy Last Habitat of Powelliphanta “Augustus”
In a move that illustrates Solid Energy's total disregard for the environment, they have recently applied for a permit to move the threatened land snail Powelliphanta “augustus” so that they can mine their last known habitat at their existing Stockton mine in October of this year. Solid Energy have stated that they will move the snails even if they can't get a permit. The mining is likely to lead to the snails' extinction and shows that Solid Energy is not serious in attempting to improve the environmental side of their mining operations.
Take Action and Get Involved
We must keep the pressure on the Government about the Happy Valley mine. They need to know that we think its unacceptable for a SOE to be mining kiwi habitat and contributing to climate change and that the Government should step in to stop the mine from proceeding. Letters to Members of Parliament are freepost. Please write to the people below (letters are more effective than e-mails). Also urgently needed are letters urging the government to direct Solid Energy to not mine the last of Powelliphanta “Augustus” habitat.
Helen Clark (pm@ministers.govt.nz)
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Marian Hobbs (mhobbs@ministers.govt.nz)
Minister for the Environment
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Chris Carter (ccarter@ministers.govt.nz)
Minister of Conservation
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Paul Swain (pswain@ministers.govt.nz)
Minister of State Owned Enterprises
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Donations
As always we need finances to keep campaigning and to keep the pressure on Solid Energy. Donations towards the campaign can be made into the Save Happy Valley Campaign account at 38-9003-0334146-00, or if you would like to set an automatic payment, forms can be downloaded from the website. For more details visit www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/getinvolved.htm
Further Involvement
If you would like to became more actively involved then check the website for the contact details for the group nearest you. We are always keen for new people.
Dan Rae and Frances Mountier
For the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
