Celia Butler’s Presentation to the Public Meeting

Government vs. Council Responsibility

• Celia clarified that this is not an official council position but her assessment as a councillor of what the council’s position could be.
• This is primarily a government issue, not a council one, which may create problems for the council and impact rate-payers.

Council’s Commitment to the Water Conservation Order

• The council values the Water Conservation Order and believes it must be protected.
• While the council empathizes with the community, it only has the same submission process as the public, with no additional input opportunities.

Potential Impact of the Fast Track Law

• If the gold mine proceeds under the new Fast Track law, which is separate from the Resource Management Act (RMA), the council could still be obligated to handle certain responsibilities under the RMA, including:
  • Monitoring and cleanup of the mine’s environmental effects.
  • Additional costs such as:
    • 24/7 noise level monitoring at the mine site for over ten years.
    • Road maintenance and related expenses.
    • Costs at Port Tarakohe.

Impact on Aquaculture and Port Tarakohe

• Port Tarakohe is vital for the aquaculture industry, which must meet strict food and environmental standards.
• Shipping materials from a gold mine could make the port incompatible with aquaculture.

Financial Risks to the Community

• While some funding may come from the mining company, other councils’ experiences suggest that such funding often has limits and may not cover all costs.
• The community faces risks at every step, which could lead to increased costs for the council.

Rate Increases for Environmental Protection

• Since 70% of the council’s funding comes from rates, these rising costs could lead to significant rate increases.
• This means rate-payers would likely bear the financial burden of protecting the environment.