Coromandel Land Off-Limits To Mining Has "Outstanding" Landscape - Report. Brownlee Mis- Informed

A peer-reviewed Landscape Assessment of the Coromandel Peninsula completely contradicts statements by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee (1) ( 27 November), that some Coromandel conservation land presently close to mining has low conservation values and could be mined for gold.

In fact all the areas presently off-limits to mining on the Peninsula have "outstanding" landscapes, according to the report (2) by eminent landscape architect Stephen Brown. The maps (3) in Mr Brown's report show that the areas of "outstanding" landscapes on the Coromandel Peninsula include all the areas protected from mining by Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act (which Mr Brownlee is "reviewing")

"Mr Brownlee is deluded if he thinks the Coromandel Schedule 4 areas are degraded and have low conservation values" says Coromandel Watchdog spokesperson Denis Tegg.

" Stephen Brown defines the landscape of these no-mining DoC areas as "pristine" "exemplary" "exceptional" "memorable" "expressive" "conspicuous" and "eminent".

"Mr Brownlee needs to join the 200,000 visitors who come to the Peninsula, this summer to enjoy its outstanding landscapes, and see for himself what attracts so many holidaymakers.

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27 November Mr Brownlee told Radio New Zealand today that there were areas of interest in the Coromandel.

"There are interesting areas in the Coromandel, and it will be controversial me even saying it, where there could be - and I stress could be - further gold mining activity," he said.

"I doubt it would be above ground, where those areas deemed to have relatively low conservation values but are currently locked up because they are deemed to have high values."

ENDS

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