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IAIN MCGREGOR / Stuff
Communities on the West Coast are concerned that banning new mining activities on DOC lands will devastate their economy and their future.
West Coasters came out in large numbers on Sunday to protest the government's plan to ban new mines on the lands of the Department of Conservation.
About 5000 people showed their anger at the opening of the new $ 25.8 million West Coast Taramakau Bridge
The bridge, between Greymouth and Kumara Junction, on National Highway 6, replaces the last road bridge in New Zealand.
Iain McGregor
Cabinet Minister Damien O'Connor had to deal with the anger of the protesters In 1965, Labor West Coast MP, Damien O'Connor, opened the bridge and acknowledged that the locals had benefited from the opening to raise questions
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"Without a mine, this bridge would be impossible to continue mining in order to build key infrastructure in the country," he declared.
Iain McGregor
The Coasters have come out in large numbers to express their anger
The protest against the ban on new mines on DOC lands will likely have a major impact on the west coast, where the DOC administers about 84% of the land.In 2016, mining accounted for 12.7% of the region's GDP.
Peter Haddock, organizer and councilor of the Gray District, said that 860 tons of charbo n were used to produce the steel of the new bridge.
"The rally was planned as a peaceful event that did not affect the opening celebrations of this important milestone like the last combined railway bridge on the west coast," he said. .
Protesters worry that the ban could weaken the local economy and lead to an exodus from the west coast.
as a sign of solidarity against undemocratic and un-consulted decisions of an unelected minister who, if passed, will result in a massive slowdown of the West Coast economy. "
The proposed ban would drive people off the coast and put" The pressure on our ability to pay for essential services, "he said.
" The mining footprint on the West coast is only 15km² compared to 3500km² of the west coast. our land We are leaders in restoration and rehabilitation, "he said.
Iain McGregor
Four-year-old Koriniti Stephens was among those who expressed concern on Sunday. Residents fear that this measure will threaten the prosperity of future generations.
A pressure group called Go West Coast was set up to challenge the ban and seek access to the land of stewardship, formerly DOC lands that do not have any high conservation value. 19659006] Katie Milne, a farmer and mining activist on the west coast, said access to land for stewardship is essential for agriculture and has brought 2000 jobs and 700 millions of dollars to the region.
"If this is done to us, it must include us, it will have massive consequences for all of us on the West Coast, jobs will be lost and people will have to leave." I have a new grandson and I want for him, if he chooses to live here in the future and not be forced to leave for lack of opportunity, "she said. .
Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said the proposed ban would also affect the Pounamu and lime industries.
He said the average mining wage was $ 114,000 but the average tourism wage was only $ 40,000.
A parade of over 300 vehicles of companies that would be affected by the ban drove from Greymouth to the opening of the bridge. Anti-1080 demonstrators also demonstrated at the protest.
Rail traffic will remain on the old bridge while a section of SH6 will be realigned to accommodate the new bridge, which opened six months earlier than planned.
O & # 39; Connor stated that the old bridge was an "iconic part of the west coast experience" that would be missed.
The combined road and rail bridge was the site of 25 accidents in the 10 years preceding June 2015, including a fatal accident in 2012.
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