M.P. sees hope for mining, conservation to co-exist

Press, 13 August 1986, Page 27

M.P. sees hope for mining, conservation to co-exist

If future mining in New Zealand comes under town and country planning control it could be an important step towards integrating development with conservation according to the Labour Member of Parliament for Tasman, Mr Ken Shirley. He was speaking at a recent meeting of Environment and Conservation Organisations (E.C.0.) at Curious Cove in the Marlborough Sounds. Mr Shirley is chairman of the Government caucus environment committee.

“The forthcoming review of the Town and Country Planning Act will represent a unique opportunity to integrate environment assessment procedures (E.A.P.) with consent procedures for all

land uses,” he said. "It is intended that E.A.P. have statutory backing for application to the public and private sectors.”

The Government also intended to make the E.A.P. available for application by regional and local authorities that granted consent for mining projects, Mr Shirley said.

“I would like to see the team reviewing mining legislation take an objective look at the potential for an amended Town and Country Planning Act to further Important Government policies as these relate to mining. The Mining Act, 1971, does not adequately reflect Government policy,” he said.

Government policy towards future mining pro-

jects included guaranteeing public participation in decision making and environmental considerations at an early stage of the planning process, Mr Shirley said.

“We also want to ensure that mining projects represent the best use of resources, that more weight is given to the views of local communities, that State trading agencies are treated the same way as private companies and that legislation promotes the integration of conservation and development,” he said.

The five-member mining legislation review team had received about 130 submissions and would report to the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard, in about three weeks, Mr Shirley said.