Report raises doubts about peat proposal

Press, 6 September 1984, Page 8

Report raises doubts about peat proposal

Wellington reporter A report on proposals to process peat deposits on the Chatham Islands for synthetic fuel raises doubts that the Chathams will derive much benefit from the industry if it goes ahead. The report is from the Centre for Resource Management at the University of Canterbury, and is being considered by the Liquid Fuels Trust Board and the Ministry of Works’ Town and Country Planning Division.

It said that even if the S reject went ahead, most of le jobs would not go to local people, and it could have a detrimental effect on the community and environment.

There was no national policy on peat and peatlands, the report said. The legislative framework was confused and conflicting, with the Coal Mines

Act, 1979, giving the Minister of Energy extensive powers and discretion. Provisions for incorporating environmental, social and regional issues are extremely limited, and the current legislation is unlikely to provide sound guidelines for the development of a major industry on the Chatham Islands, the report said.

Water was the environmental factor most likely to be severely affected by peat mining, the report said, and there was no catchment authority directly involved with the Chathams.

Unique flora and fauna existed on the Chathams, but the ecosystem had been modified and depleted, and it was important that the southern tablelands be protected The extent .of the Chatham Islands peat deposits is not known exactly. They are thought to be between 1000

and 2000 million tonnes, covering 28,000 ha, and with an average depth of eight to 10. metres.

Work by Fletcher Challenge suggests that 100 to 150 million dry tonnes would be needed for a viable synthetic fuel industry, at a processing rate of 6 million dry tonnes a year. This would generate about 25,000 barrels of syncrude a day.

The Centre for Resource Management report said a processing plant could be set up on the southern side of the north-western peninsula, with drainage and reclamation of the surrounding land.

Another possibility was to dredge the entrance to Te Whanga Lagoon, and then barge a plant to the northwestern shore. About 1500 workers would be needed during the construction phase.