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Nearly 2000 sign mining petition
Thursday, June 28, 2012
A PETITION calling on Gisborne District Council to notify the public about any mining-related resource consent applications has been signed by 1983 people and will be presented to the council today.

The petition was launched four weeks ago by anti-fracking group FrackFree Tairawhiti in response to a resource consent application from oil companies TAG Oil and Apache Corporation for site establishment work at Te Karaka.

Petition supporter Kirsty Gaddum, who is presenting the signatures to the council, says the result shows a demand for information on oil and gas exploration in the region.

“People want to know what’s going on and they don’t want to leave it up to council to make the decisions for them,” she said.

“People also want answers from the oil companies about water, risks and real economic benefits.”

GDC environment and policy manager Hans van Kregten said it was clear that people were concerned about possible adverse effects and risks of oil and gas exploration.

“The council’s role in consenting mineral exploration and production activities is limited to ensuring environmental safety and mitigating adverse environmental effects.”

Whether or not applications were publicly notified was currently determined by the Resource Management Act.

“Under the Act, public notification means that interested parties can make submissions on the application that will be heard by the council, or (an) independent commissioner(s),” said Mr van Kregten.

“There are further rights for submitters and the applicant to appeal the decision to the Environment Court and the Act says that if the effects are more than minor, applications should be notified.

“Public interest in a proposal is not in itself a reason to notify applications.

“There is some uncertainty about the practice of hydraulic fracturing and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is conducting an inquiry into the practice as it would apply to New Zealand. The results of this are expected later this year. It may be that this inquiry would be a special circumstance, which the Act also says may be a reason for public notification.

“No application for exploration or fracking has yet been received, and no assessment of effects has taken place. If one is received, a decision whether or not to notify will be made. Regardless of notification, the council is committed to run a transparent process. Any application will be publicly available.”
SIGNED AND SEALED TO DELIVER: Tracey Rudd, left, Barry Rogers, Kirsty Gaddum and Mase Finau are among those who have signed a petition that calls on Gisborne District Council to notify the public of any mining-related resource consent applications. With nearly 2000 signatures, the petition will be presented to the council today. Picture by Paul Rickard
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