Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Save Happy Valley coalition began an ongoing occupation near the proposed Cypress open cast coal mine, currently Department of Conservation land. The site proposed by State-owned Solid Energy is in the Upper Waimangaroa Valley in the Ngakawau Ecological District, near Westport on the South Island's west coast. The current occupation follows on from two previous protest camps. Solid Energy told RadioNZ news that they had no problem with the sit-in although they still sent in security guards to film occupiers who responded by blocking with a banner and photographing the guards.
The SHV coalition has groups in Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Wellington and on the west coast, as well as support from members of coast-based conservation groups including Buller Conservation Group, Forest and Bird, Ngakawau Riverwatch and Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae. The Greens and Greenpeace have also expressed support for the occupation and Gregor Sieboeck is taking a detour from his planned route down the South Island to walk from Greymouth to Happy Valley as part of his around the world walk for sustainability.
Read more for more details and photos
Stuff reports that the occupiers plan to stay until Solid Energy and the Government find sustainable ways to develop the west coast economy without the Cypress mine. SHV spokesperson John Oosterman has described Happy Valley as "...a unique and precious ecosystem, home threaten species such as the Great Spotted Kiwi and giant land snail. Furthermore the mining of this beautiful valley will only add to the problem of climate change. Coal is a totally unsustainable fuel source that only pollutes our local and global environment."
Teall Crossen, a lawyer from Forest and Bird, described Happy Valley as a unique alpine wetand at a public meeting in Christchurch last week and pointed out that only 10% of the original wetland ecosystems in Aotearoa remain, a sentiment echoed by SHV spokesperson Frances Mountier in the Herald. At that meeting Jeanette Fitzsimons said that in her opinion the future of Solid Energy was in sustainable forestry, not coal. Save Happy Valley have also supported the campaign to save the last habitat of another land snail 'Powelliphanta Augustus' from Solid Energy's planned mining on nearby Mt Augustus.
Solid Energy have attempted to paint the issue as one of "passionate but misguided" young people versus coasters who need jobs but Daniella Blake writing in the Critic characterises the conflict as one of "Big business, little people".
Link: Happy Valley Occupation Blog
Related
http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/
http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/blog/
Comments
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cyprus Mine
Woohoo!
Fantastic effort from everyone, much love to all in the Valley, and I'll see you soon!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
YAY!!!
I am pissed off that I could not make it for the first weekend of the occupation.
Resistance is solid!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
I had the pleasure of attending the first weekend of the occupation, the energy and commitment to saving this beautiful place is so inspriring.
It was sooo great to see people of all ages from all over the country fighting against the government and corporate greed to protect one of the small parts of "clean green" new zealand thats left.
I encourage all to to get involved, write to the government and send a clear message that such willful destruction will not be tolerated. Better yet if you can get up into the valley and show your support, i assure you, you will not be dissapointed!!!!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Great to see people protesting the voice of so many others. For every person there - there are many more with you.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Kia kaha to everyone at Happy Valley - change does occur with protests such as yours!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Great effort every one!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Anyone who can get down there should definitely check the place out, it's amazing and you'll love it. There's an awesome swimming hole and the nicest drinking water. I'd much rather be there than in the city.
Solidarity from AK. :-)
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Solidarity against Solid Energy.
Keep it up.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Is Santa still there?
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
so far i'm well impressed with so many aspects of this campaign. fucking excellent work from a grassroots group. really professional materials, mass grassroots support. thanks for the mahi.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Well done from england
Keep up the good work guys. Well done & stay strong!
OUR RESISTANCE IS AS TRANSNATIONAL AS THIER CAPITAL!! (A)
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
:) see you in a lil' bit... guess i can wait till numbers shrink.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
May the valley stay Happy.
How about solidarity actions and events at Embassies and offices in other countries?
love from Phil in Britain
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
yeah, go for it...
;o)
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
my daughter needs to see this! i feel a road trip coming on!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
up de ante!
support the peaceful disarmement of machinery that destroys the lives of an endangered species..
extintion is forever!! act today!!
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Saw Francie on One News this morning.
Good positive coverage.
Stay strong Brothers and Sisters!
(Solid Energy Sucks)
Peace & Love
Darren. :-)
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
You guys rock!! Solidarity from Tasmania. Wish I could be there - keep it safe until I can see it for myself :)
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Sone crazy coverage in the 'Herald on Sunday' this morning (12 Feb) that all campaigners might like to have a look at. It paints an interesting picture of the people involved, but skims over the important details of the actual issues.
Sending all my stereo-typical hippy love vibes to you purple-wearing vegans in the valley.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
I actually thought the Herald on Sunday article was pretty good, but then I have such a low opinion of mainstream news coverage of activism........
It could have been worse, much, much worse.
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
Just a thought......
I know this is now May and Solid Energy have agreed to transfer all the snails to another place before mining.
I'm not for or against this project by solid energy but just a thought.
If solid energy sent thousands sifting snails, don't forget that there are species of birds on the west coast that actually eat snails. You would probiblay find after spending days shifting snails the brids would just swoop down and eat them.
Also it would definitley be better having the snails in a protected environment where everybody can see them right?
Because surely if solid energy didn't mine you people wouldn't stay at this valley watching them day after day protecting them.
Just a thought..........................
Re: Occupation Builds Campaign Against Cypress Mine
fdg