Regional Impacts Southland Lignite Presentation by Gore District

Regional Impacts – Southland Lignite Presentation by Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks

What is Southland known for? v Oysters v Friendly people v Strong agricultural sector v Trout fishing v Burt Munro Rally v Spectacular scenery v Southern Institute of Technology v Tiwai Aluminium Smelter

What is Gore known for? � New Zealand’s capital of brown trout fishing and country music HOME OF … Ø NZ Gold Guitar Awards Ø Eastern Southland Gallery (nicknamed the Goreggenheim) Ø Hokonui Fashion Design Awards Ø Southern Field Days Ø Hokonui Moonshiners Festival Ø All Blacks Jimmy Cowan & Justin Marshall

Southland today Ø Population approx 90, 000 (2. 3% of NZ) Ø Only 2. 6 people per km² (15 people nationally) Ø Land area 3, 035, 577 ha (12. 0% of New Zealand area) Ø Three local authorities/one regional council Ø Declining and ageing population Ø Shift in farming sector from sheep/beef to dairying

Coal Resources � � � NOW 3 billion tonnes recoverable lignite in the Gore District (coalnz. com) Solid Energy main stakeholder New Vale coal mine – output 250, 000 tonnes pa Soon-to-be-commissioned $25 m briquetting plant Plant to produce 90, 000 tonnes of briquettes from 150, 000 tonnes of lignite

Into the future Coal to fertiliser plant Output: 1. 2 million tonnes urea pa (initial investigations but Solid Energy now considering other plant sizes) Cost: $NZ 1. 5 billion Jobs: Construction 1000 plus over 2/3 years Plant 250 Mine 250 Location: Decision at the end of 2012 at the earliest

Further into the future Coal to Liquid Fuels Ø Input/output: Unknown Ø Cost: $NZ 10 billion plus Ø Jobs: Construction 4000 over 3/4 years Plant 600 Mine 600 Ø Commercial plant potentially operating by 2019 -2020

Impacts � � � Local, regional & national Potential impacts on air quality, water, ecology, traffic, noise Local authorities will have RMA and community advocacy roles Challenge will be how they balance these roles Recognise growth brings social change Maximise benefits while minimising impacts

The Big Questions Population growth - how will it affect Ø Our medical services Ø Our schools Ø Our recreational facilities Ø Our safe communities Ø Our municipal infrastructure Development but not at any cost

More Big Questions � Where will the people live? � Where do we build new houses? � Do we have enough water for them? � Is there enough electricity? � Will there be an increase in tourism? � Will the pool be crowded? � Will Mc. Donalds get crowded?

Will there be enough … q Doctors q Dentists q Emergency service personal q Police q Schools q Playgrounds q Recreation facilities q Restaurants

What can we do? Prepare - be proactive not reactive GDC has commissioned background studies on Ø Social and economic framework Ø Transport model Ø Urban infrastructure Ø Landscape Ø Framework to assess ecological values Next Step: A District Growth Strategy