Open Letter in Support of Buller’s Future

Open Letter in Support of Buller’s Future

Supporting the Buller Plateaux Continuation Project (Stockton Mine)

We are members and supporters of the Buller community who believe in the future of our District. We support the Buller Plateaux Continuation Project because of its profound importance for our people, our community, our infrastructure and our future.

We recognise that mining has environmental impacts and that people will hold different views about those impacts. Our support is not based on a belief that mining should proceed at any cost. Rather, we believe this particular project is profoundly important to the economic and social wellbeing of Buller, the wider West Coast and the people who call this place home.

We want the voices of those who support the continuation of Stockton Mine to be heard and taken into account.

We ask that the fast track approvals panel, any other decision makers, and the House of Representatives, support the Buller Plateaux Continuation Project proceeding through the Fast-Track Approvals process and recognise its significant economic and social importance to Buller, the wider West Coast and New Zealand. The reasons why:

• For our peopleHundreds of Buller families rely directly on the jobs and incomes created by the existing Stockton mine, with hundreds more supported by the wider economy that it creates.
• For our local businessesStockton directly supports more than 125 businesses, with its economic contribution flowing through many more households and businesses across our district.
• For our communitiesGood jobs keep people here and help keep our schools, sports clubs and community groups strong. The income and business activity generated by Stockton also gives local people and businesses the capacity to volunteer, sponsor, donate and support the organisations that make Buller a strong community.
• For our environmentStockton produces high-quality coal used for essential steelmaking, while its continued operations support the ongoing treatment of historic mining impacts, predator control and environmental programmes across the plateau. We believe responsible mining can sit alongside efforts to diversify our economy and build a stronger more resilient Buller for future generations.
• For Buller’s futureRecent industry closures have already cost our district jobs and reduced economic resilience. Buller has lived through major industry decline before including the 2013 Solid Energy collapse. We want to avoid the flow-on effects that reach far beyond lost jobs - affecting our population, businesses, property values, access to local services and the health and wellbeing of our people and families. We do not want to go backwards again.