Mining in parks for discussion

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 24

Mining in parks for discussion

Legislation which allows mining and hydro power development in national parks will be discussed at the twenty-fifth anniversary conference of the National Parks Authority. The conference will be held at Lincoln College from July 5 to July 8. The future direction and management of national parks will be examined in papers contributed by 18 speakers. Two guest speakers will be Dr K. R. Miller, chairman of an international commission on national parks and protected areas, and Mr G. J. Armstrong, assistant director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New' South Wales. Representatives of conservation and recreational

organisations, the National Parks Authority, and tourist and mining industries will attend. The Minister of Lands (Mr V. S. Young) will officially open the conference on July 5. The guest speakers will present their addresses the next morning. Papers will then be delivered on the administrative structure of national parks; the preservation ethic; pressures of tourism; public participation in planning; the identity of national parks in relation to the parks and reserve system; and to the socio-economic system. Workshops will consider other topics on July 7 and report their findings on July 8.