Save Happy Valley Campaign Update 6
Kia ora everyone!
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has been busy protesting, creating more resources and planning the campaigning and lobbying that must take place this summer. Solid Energy stated at their recent High Court appearance that they intend to start work on the ground in February / March 2006.
All the legal avenues have failed to stop them – the High Court decision on Wednesday 21st December ruled that the mine in Happy Valley could proceed. (To clarify: the recent High Court win was about the augustus snails, not the proposed Happy Valley mine). However, this State Owned Enterprise’s (SOE’s) mine must not be allowed to proceed! The Save Happy Valley Coalition is committed to opposing the mine every step of the way – through actively stopping Solid Energy and through increased public opposition. We are calling on people to take action this summer – be that by occupying the Valley with us, getting the issue out in the media, lobbying Government, or making a donation to the Campaign! Read on…
Upcoming Event :: Occupation
From Saturday 28th of January 2006 the Save Happy Valley Coalition will be indefinitely occupying the site of Solid Energy's planned open cast coal mine in Happy Valley on the West Coast and we are inviting as many people as possible to join us. Having cleared the last remaining legal hurdle, Solid Energy plans to start developing the mine site.
The only thing that will stop them is a continuation of our grassroots campaigning, so we need as many people as possible to join us in Happy Valley, especially during the first weekend of the occupation. People coming later in the weeks after the initial weekend will also be much appreciated. You can stay for as short or as long an amount of time as you like! This is your chance to see why Happy Valley should be saved and contribute to a creative environmental campaign. We will send more details soon. If you want to know more now then check www.savehappyvalley.org.nz or contact the Save Happy Valley Christchurch group on (03) 3 88 0978 (ask for Dan Rae or Frances) or 021 175 7484 (Frances).
High Court Decision
In September, Forest and Bird’s appeal against the mine in Happy Valley was heard in the High Court. The mine had so far received both Resource Consent and Environment Court consent. Forest and Bird’s appeal was based purely on three points of law:
1. That the red tussock wetland transfer was not supported by any evidence (A major condition of, and justification for, the mine proceeding is that Solid Energy say they will ‘directly transfer’ 12ha of wetland, store it for the duration of the mine and then replace it!)
2. The Environment Court assumed everything would work to the best case scenario, when they should have been using the precautionary principle.
3. Solid Energy claimed that doing predator control etc for other kiwi not in Happy Valley somehow compensated for the ones they would affect in the Valley. However, the only way to ‘avoid, remedy or mitigate’ the damage they will do to those ten kiwi in the Valley would be to not mine.
However, last Wednesday, the High Court found against Forest and Bird on all three points.
Walk up Augustus
On the weekend of the 10th and 11th of December Save Happy Valley members clambered 1000 metres up a steep untracked bush ridge near Westport, to protest the imminent extinction of an absolutely-protected species of carnivorous land snail. Mt Augustus is the only home of Powelliphanta augustus, an absolutely protected species of rare carnivorous land snail. Solid Energy's Stockton Mine (nearby to Happy Valley) had already destroyed most of the snail's habitat. Now Solid Energy, in the pursuit of profit, plans to mine the last of the snail’s habitat which will almost certainly cause their extinction. The protest received widespread media coverage in the papers and on radio.
Take Action :: Augustus
Thankfully, Forest and Bird also recently had a win in the High Court, relating to Augustus. Solid Energy claim they are operating under the Coal Mines Act 1979, which they say allows them to kill any plant or animal within the mining licence area. However, on Friday 16th December, the High Court declared that Solid Energy would have to seek consent from the Minister of Conservation and the Minister of Energy before they could proceed to clear and mine the last remaining habitat of Powelliphanta augustus.
It is vital that these Ministers do not just grant this permission. Please write (‘snail mail’ is more effective than email!), urging them to save this species:
Chris Carter (ccarter@ministers.govt.nz)
Minister of Conservation
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
David Parker (dparker@ministers.govt.nz)
Minister of Energy
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Please also write to the Prime Minister, urging her to prevent the consent (and to prevent this SOE causing such destruction anyway):
Helen Clark (pm@ministers.govt.nz)
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Legal Defense Update
One Save Happy Valley activist appeared in court recently, facing trial for the occupation of the Solid Energy headquarters in March this year. His charges were withdrawn! Three people still face trial for the Stopping Climate Change in its Tracks action. They appear in the Christchurch District Court in early February. The two who were chained to the tracks face charges of Trespass, Trespass (Railways) and Interferes with a railway line. The person in the treesit has been charged with Wilful Trespass. (Checkout http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/aboutus.htm for details on both these actions.)
If you would like to contribute to their legal defense, and towards future legal defence, donations can be made at account number 38-9003-0568540-00 (please note this is separate to the main SHVC bank account).
Save Happy Valley Benefit Dinner
On the 22nd of September the Christchurch Save Happy Valley group held a fund raising dinner which was attended by over 100 people. As well as serving a three course meal there was a presentation on why the mine should be stopped and the campaign so far. More than $1000 dollars was raised. Another dinner is planned for early next year.
Upcoming Event :: Public Meeting and Cake Evening, Christchurch
7.30pm, Monday 23rd January 2006
Trade Union Centre, cnr Armagh and Madras Streets, Christchurch.
Speaking are:
* Climate Change - Jeanette Fitzsimmons, Leader, Green Party
* Happy Valley - Teall Crossen, environmental lawyer, Forest and Bird.
* Saving Happy Valley and Upcoming Occupation – member of the SHV Coalition
Come along to get informed, and to learn about the upcoming Occupation. Free cake!
Trip into Happy Valley
In November thirty-three people (both members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition and members of the public) spent the weekend tramping into and looking around Happy Valley. Many were seeing the valley for the first time and were struck by its pristine beauty, especially when compared to the devastation of the nearby Stockton mine.
The visitors were themselves visited by Solid Energy security guards on the Saturday night, intent on maintaining surveillance of the anti-mining coalition. Four security guards took video footage of those camped on DOC land, sought names and attempted to issue everyone present with "pre-emptive" trespass notices relating to Solid Energy property. Solid Energy has used similar illegal tactics at subsequent protests in an attempt to intimidate those opposed to the Happy Valley mine.
Take Action :: Voice your opposition!
This summer is crucial in stopping the mine. We are kicking off a postcard campaign to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for SOEs. Are you able to give postcards (and leaflets) to your family / friends / workmates etc? There will also be a campaign poster for sale within weeks – please buy one to make Happy Valley visible, and to support the Coalition. Furthermore, if you haven’t already got a bumper sticker, consider doing so now: these are a choice way to get the message out there. Email us the form at the bottom with numbers of each item you require. We would love to hear from you!
And as always, please:
* Write a Letter to the Editor.
* Write to the relevant Ministers, and your local MP, urging them to stop this
mine. Letters to MPs are freepost
* Call Talkback radio.
* Tell people you know about the area, the issues and the campaign.
* Join the occupation!!!
* Join your local group: http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/getinvolved.htm
* Wear a kiwi t-shirt.
Donations
We need finances to keep lobbying, to keep producing resources and to keep the pressure on Solid Energy. Donations towards the campaign can be made into the Save Happy Valley Campaign (details below). The Campaign is heating up, and so we are asking for people to support Save Happy Valley regularly, if you are able. A few dollars a week would be greatly appreciated. Automatic Payment forms can be downloaded from www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/getinvolved.htm or write to us and we’ll send one out to you. APs can also be paid directly into the bank account.
Account name: Save Happy Valley Campaign
Account number: 38-9003-0334146-00
Resistance Energy is Solid! Hope to see you on the 28th of January!
Dan Rae and Frances Mountier
Save Happy Valley Coalition
P.O. Box 9263, Te Aro, Wellington
contact@savehappyvalley.org.nz
www.savehappyvalley.org.nz
