A First Visit to Happy Valley
Save Happy Valley Campaigners and interested members of the public headed into Happy Valley for the weekend. The 33 trampers wanted to see the pristine habitat of Happy Valley, and many also took the opportunity to climb to the ridgeline to view the atrocity that is Solid Energy’s Stockton mine.
We started tramping early Saturday afternoon, after some very windy driving! The stunning weather, plus crossing a swing-bridge, plentiful scroggin stops, photo opportunities, a swimming hole, and generally having a tramping party that is 33 people long meant that the tramping was at a pleasant pace.
The party included Coasters, as well as people from as far afield as Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Golden Bay, Germany, the United States. The publicly advertised trip was an opportunity for members of the public to view Happy Valley, and to find out more about the Save Happy Valley campaign.
The view from the first overhang up the Waimangaroa Valley was stunning. Of particular interest were sightings of shells of Powelliphanta “patrickensis” and the pill millicide. The track winds through the red tussock wetland, past awesome coloured mosses and lichens, and across creeks that are still home to freshwater crayfish – a good indicator that the upper Waimangaroa Valley at least is not yet polluted. The tailings of Solid Energy’s Stockton mine were soon obvious to the West, and the dam scarring the mountain-side was shocking.
We arrived at the campsite in Happy Valley early evening, and set up our tents. Some people went off walking, while the rest of us settled down to prepare our various dinners. Suddenly, bright orange dayglo jackets – and the three men inside them – appeared from the bush just above the campsite. They requested an audience with us, and proceeded to tell us they were there due to concern for our safety; a voice asked “What about the kiwis safety”?” One of the three proceeded to film us all, and would not stop when we said we did not wish to be filmed. A fourth man, devoid of orange high-glo vest, was also present. The men addressing us then acknowledged that many of us were experienced trampers, and that we were perfectly justified under law to be in Happy Valley as it is publicly owned land. They next stated that we were all pre-emptively trespassed from Solid Energy’s land. However, we did not provide them with our names and details. Many were finding the intrusive filming distressing; however, a number of trampers also made sure to get footage of the security guards. Pete Lusk, well known to Solid Energy, did give his name – and was presented with a "Warning To Stay Off Property, Trespass Act 1980 Section 4," that was “on behalf of Don Elder, CEO.”
This intimidation, while startling and unpleasant, shows how paranoid Solid Energy are about being exposed. So great is the damage that they cause every day, so destructive their mine sites, so unacceptable their proposal to mine Happy Valley that they cannot even cope with a peaceful tramping party looking around. Such behaviour is definitely in character for Solid Energy. One recent example of their anxious attempts to squash their growing opposition include them calling for Forest and Bird and Buller Conservation group to pay court costs of $379,342 for a two-week Environment Court hearing. In that same Environment Court hearing (on the permit for the mine in Happy Valley), a Landcare scientist was made to stand down from giving evidence for Forest and Bird – as the CEO of Landcare and the CEO of Solid Energy wished not to jeopardise the long-standing relationship between the two state institutions. Solid Energy also recently threatened to sue three Save Happy Valley members $200,000 for their ‘Stopping Climate Change in its Tracks” protest.
Once the security guards had left, we continued with our meal, and held a hui about the Campaign. There were brief outlines of various groups’ involvement in the work to Stop Solid Energy, Save Happy Valley, followed by a discussion of plans for summer. Save Happy Valley is committed to stopping this mine: this will involve political pressure, a growing momentum of public opposition, highlighting the unacceptable corporation that is Solid Energy, and direct action. There was also sharing of practical information, such as how to make an Official Information Act request, and how to write effective letters. Kiwi were heard before we fell asleep late at night.
The guards returned again briefly, around 7am the next morning. Once they had gone again, we ate breakfast and talked some more. Later, some stayed at the campsite while the rest walked up to get a view of the Stockton mine. This was an awful juxtaposition – the incredible slopes of Happy Valley suddenly contrasted with half of a ridgeline cut bare, seams of coal exposed, trucks transporting coal away, and the security guards standing as sentry. More filming, threats, and yells of “you’re trespassed” followed.
After some banner shots: Save Happy Valley, Stop Solid Energy clearly showing the Stockton mine, we headed back to camp. The walk out was much faster than the day before; this was partly due to a familiarisation with the track (Many of those present had never been to the Valley before). An awesome trip: we invite others to join us next time.
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