Sam Neill can’t put aesthetics ahead of livelihoods

Responding to Sir Sam Neill and Sustainable Tarras's campaign to stop the Santana gold mine in Central Otago, ACT Resources spokesman Simon Court says:

“Sam Neill sees an ugly mine. ACT sees opportunity, prosperity, and 350 well-paying jobs for locals.

“Gold mining is part of Central Otago’s heritage. The region was built by people prepared to dig in, take risks, and create wealth. That spirit shouldn’t be shut down by wealthy film stars who already have theirs.

“We’re not going to turn New Zealand into a feudal garden park, where a handful of millionaires admire the view while ordinary people are told there’s no job for them.

“Mining makes life better for ordinary people. It's not just jobs, it's tax revenue, in this case including $1.25 million a year returned to the Central Otago District Council, funding better roads, services, and infrastructure for locals.

“Too often, projects like this get bogged down by negative plonkers objecting on aesthetic grounds. That’s exactly why ACT is replacing the RMA. If a project can manage its physical effects and meet clear environmental standards, it should proceed without endless process and posturing.

“Modern engineering can manage tailings dams, water quality, and site rehabilitation. These are technical challenges that qualified people understand.

“This is a living, working region. People there need jobs, incomes, and opportunity. ACT will always back productive enterprise that meets the rules over the aesthetic objections of woke, leftist film stars.”