Save Tauranga Bay and Okari Rd from Mineral Sand Mining and Noisy trucks 24/7

Westland Mineral Sands Ltd has applied for Resource Consent to mine Heavy Minerals In the sand dunes along Okari Rd, Tauranga Bay, West Coast. They propose to operate a 17m high processing plant only 250m away from residential houses. This will then be transported to Westport using heavy vehicles, along the narrow coastal Okari road and through the heart of Tauranga Bay and Carters beach communities. Large trucks every 36 mins, 24/7 through one of the Buller Regions prime recreation and surfing areas.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE AFFECTS FROM MINE

- Noise levels from trucks and mining plant exceeding WHO levels

- Dust that potentially contains radionuclides of thorium and uranium

- Plant discharge into local streams and Okari Lagoon

- Health risk to local residents

- Disturbing native wildlife natural habitats and ecosystems including nesting blue penguins

- Damage to the small rural road - is not suitable for industrial trucks

- Safety risks on the small, narrow roads through crowded surfers car park

- Disturbance of local tourism and accommodation businesses.

- Other unknown adverse effects, as this type of Mineral Sand Mining has not been undertaken before in New Zealand

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

A small number of locals have been working tirelessly and voluntarily behind the scenes and have reached a point where Public notification has been given to this consent. This allows everyone to have a say by writing a submission. The consent can be found in the West Coast Regional Council website. Link https://www.wcrc.govt.nz/services/consents-compliance/publicly-notified-consent-applications/current-publically-notified-consents/westland-mineral-sands-heavy-mineral-project-okari

- The consent clock is ticking, submissions close 26th October

- We need funds to employ expert witnesses and legal advice for our defense at the consent hearing.

- The applicants (Westland Mineral Sands Ltd.) have provided a large number of expert submissions in support of their application. All their submissions concluded that there would be little or no effect on residents, ecology, wildlife, roads, environment etc. It is imperative, that we, as concerned public who identify with this area, counter their experts with expert submissions of our own.

This will ensure the Hearing Commissioners are provided with information from both perspectives. Currently, they only have the applicant’s viewpoint. Expert evidence and submissions are needed to ensure a BALANCED decision is made.

As it often is in these cases, a David vs Goliath scenario, we as David are rather disadvantaged in the form of financial resources to counter what are often inaccurate and sometimes disparaging assertions on the effects to residents and public