From Saturday 28th of January 2006 the Save Happy Valley Coalition will be indefinitely occupying the site of Solid Energy’s planned open cast coal mine in Happy Valley on the West Coast and we are inviting as many people as possible to join us.
Why? Because the mine will:
- Destroy the habitat of a number of endemic native species that are already threatened with extinction including great spotted kiwi (roa) and the snail Powelliphanta “patrickensis”.
- Pollute local waterways by acid mine drainage
- Contribute up to 12 million tonnes of climate changing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere when the coal is burnt for steel manufacture
- Devastate a beautiful pristine ecosystem that is too valuable to lose.
Solid Energy have recently cleared the last remaining legal hurdle and plan to start developing the mine site in 2006. (The High Court ruled against Forest and Bird’s Happy Valley appeal on Wednesday 21st December). The only thing that will stop them is a continuation of our grassroots campaigning, so we need as many people as possible to join us in Happy Valley, especially during the first weekend of the occupation. People coming later in the weeks after the initial weekend will also be much appreciated. You can stay for as short or as long an amount of time as you like! This is your chance to see why Happy Valley should be saved and contribute to a creative environmental campaign.
The route is marked, though there is no proper track. The walk takes less than half a day and you will be walking with others who have a good knowledge of the area. You need to come as a self contained tramper/camper and be prepared for unpredictable weather.
Happy Valley is located in the Upper Waimangaroa Valley, approximately 25km north-east of Westport. We access it by tramping from Cedar Creek Road, beyond Burnetts Face (near Waimangaroa). We will, however, all be meeting up in or near Westport beforehand.
We will update with more details closer to the date, but in the meantime if you want to know more about the occupation, to learn more about the tramping gear required, and to coordinate with others heading over, get in contact with the Save Happy Valley Christchurch group. Their details are:
Save Happy Valley Christchurch
Phone: (03) 388 0978 (ask for Dan Rae or Francie Mountier) or Francie on 021 1757 484
Email: savehappyvalley (at) yahoo.com
Hope to see you there!
Save Happy Valley Coalition