DRAT Hopes Concerns Heard

Posted by DRAT Media Release: Collette Spalding on 06/12/2011

Reps from various support groups met the Hauraki District Council Mayor, John Tregida and Peter Crawford today to provide further feedback so as the council can formulate a property policy/proposal to NWG. Peter is a former planner and has worked locally as a commissioner.

I am unsure about the timing of this as we know NWG intend to release their DRAFT property policy in approx 1 weeks time although they will not disclose their final property policy until and if application is lodged for consent in Feb 2012 to mine the Correnso ore, this gives the mine further time to consider the councils proposal but if NWG have heard the communities concerns and adequately addressed them in their DRAFT property policy further proposals may not be required.

DRAT are hopeful NWG have clearly heard the concerns the community has raised and that they are willing to produce a fair, equitable and consistent policy complete with a disputes process but will not be surprised if the policy is only of actual benefit to a small percentage of those actually effected based on previous experience.

NWG still prefer residents remain in their homes as this is the most cost effective way for their new underground and claim they do not currently have adequate funds locally to purchase all the homes they would potentially impact. Newmont posts magnificent profits and appears to be in great financial condition, not being prepared to invest in homes they claim will remain a viable investment while mining occurs beneath them is a concern.

The property policy comes a little late for those adjacent to Martha, application for a variation to the existing Martha mine is already being considered while no property protection policy exists however these homes are expected to be eligible for the final property policy from NWG should their property meet the criteria.

There is also some talk of an independent body making decisions on our behalf should we required further mediation, compensation or to administer any future community protection/development funds.

DRAT are a little cautious, their members have spent the past 12 years trying to get support from people who refused to believe their issues were genuine, many accused of spreading misinformation. If an activity is perceived to cause effect on its neighbor it should be mitigated particularly if we want to provide a healthy residential environment.

This is a crucial time for Waihi residents when they can place their stake in the ground and say these are the future conditions/standards we will allow in our community in order to ensure existing residents are better considered in future and so as the new homeowners and families we hope to attract do not come to regret their investment.

We have had a geotech report that claims Pitt St is below sea level and are sitting adjacent to an open cast gold mine that was apparently incorrectly constructed and peer reviewed since day one!

How we get a balance of people with expertise and local knowledge without bias is going to be a challenge, if a committee of like minded persons come together they may arguably favor some situations or people over others.

It was agreed the policy needs to stand the test of time, NWG make it clear they would like to remain in the area for several more generations and will continue to process gold here even if actual mining ceases until their license to produce gold and store tailings expires in ??2035 ( unsure if date is correct)?? Ore from Muirs reef, WPK, Onemana or any other find within a 100km radius is also expected to be processed in Waihi

It was felt transparency was essential although there was some confusion expressed as to how the local media had caught wind of the meeting. and that disinformation is being circulated in the media. DRAT are personally happy to respond to any concerns people have about the issues we have raised over the years and often take exception to misinformation too but find it hard to get enough time to properly debate the facts.

The perceived negativity portrayed as a result of DRAT raising mine impact issues has in the past been accused of reducing values confidence for new investors while DRAT argues that ignoring the problem and indeed making it bigger ( with each expansion announced) is the problem which is why DRAT have continued to raise the issues publicly.

Peter will now meet with those present to seek further information and will formulate on behalf of HDC a property policy they will present to NWG on behalf of the feedback they have gathered from the public meetings they have attended, the opportunity that many took to meet their ward Councillors to raise their concerns at the council's office and via the feedback provided by us today. The final policy will be made available to the general public before it is ratified to ensure the whole community has opportunity to consider its content and provide feedback if necessary.

It is expected the group will continue to meet in the future with a view to securing the best outcome for our whole community and DRAT are very much looking forward to making progress. ENDS.