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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:52 pm Post Subject: NATIONAL MP JOINS MANGROVE CHAINSAW MASSACRE
The following articles appeared in the NZ Herald concerning the illegal clearing of a large area of mangroves from the Whangamata Harbour the day after the election. I read with incredulity, Sandra GOUDIE the National incumbent for Coromandel and 120 others were involved in this so called "protest'. This is one of those stories that hit a nerve with me. Here are the reports and a few of my comments:
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National MP joins mangrove chainsaw massacre
25.09.05
By Patrick Crewdson
A National MP faces tough questions after joining an illegal chainsaw attack on native mangroves the day after she was re-elected to office.
Sandra Goudie joined around 120 protesters who used slashers and chainsaws to clear a mangrove patch the size of two rugby fields in Whangamata Harbour last Sunday.
The previous night she was re-elected MP for Coromandel with a 9700 vote majority.
Mrs Goudie told the Herald on Sunday she had not done anything illegal, and had simply stacked plants that had already been chopped down.
She did not regret being at the protest, which she described as "a wake-up call for regional politicians".
"I've put myself down there and I'll stand by it," she said.
"These people are sick of the political correctness crap. They don't mind a bit of oversight or a few guidelines, but they just want tools to manage it, or they want Environment Waikato to manage it.
"We've got to knock some of this red tape on the head."
Mangroves cannot be removed without resource consent, but their status has sharply divided residents, many of whom say mangroves are an eyesore and a hazard preventing the community making full use of the harbour.
Others maintain mangroves are a valuable part of the estuarine eco-system. As well as a habitat for marine life and shellfish, they reduce coastal erosion by protecting the shore from waves.
Last weekend's protest marked the second Sunday in a row locals had gathered to chop the plants.
After being alerted by a resident, an Environment Waikato officer attended the second protest to gather evidence.
Coastal programme manager Hugh Keane said the local MP's presence did not send "a helpful message". He urged the community to follow the resource consent process.
A spokesman for National leader Don Brash said he had no comment on Mrs Goudie's involvement, calling it "a local matter".
Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons - a Coromandel resident- said as an MP it was inappropriate for Mrs Goudie to engage in "vigilante action". However, she wasn't known for her "ecological understanding".
"This is a popular move and I think that's why she's attracted to it. She likes to be popular. She's just won a big majority in the seat," she said. "But condoning and supporting that kind of illegal action against the rules set by the regional council makes it very difficult for her as the local MP to work with the local authorities for the good of the Coromandel."
She said the removal of the mangroves showed a poor understanding of their role in coastal eco-systems.
"We seem to be back, in a way, to the 1950s when mangroves were widely regarded as just a place for rubbish dumps."
But Mrs Goudie said the protest was the work of a group of "hard-working citizens" who took pride in the environment.
The low vote for the Greens in the electorate Mrs Fitzsimons held from 1999-2002 showed they hadn't been listening to community issues.
Mrs Fitzsimons polled third last week, nearly 13,000 votes behind Mrs Goudie.
Environment Waikato was not planning to prosecute, although charges remained an option if the illegal chopping continued.
"We're trying to work with the community on this one rather than taking a heavy-handed approach," Mr Keane said.
Representatives of Environment Waikato and the Whangamata Harbour committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the issue.
A National MP says a regional council will have a revolt on its hands if it tries to take legal action against her or anyone else involved in an illegal chainsaw attack on mangroves.
Two-term Coromandel MP Sandra Goudie, re-elected with a 9787 majority, joined about 120 protesters the day after the election to clear a mangrove patch the size of two football fields in Whangamata Harbour.
Ms Goudie said she simply stacked mangroves that had already been chopped down.
Locals have long complained that the plants are marching ever-further into the harbour and surrounding waterways, clogging up areas it was once possible to water ski over.
Environment Waikato spokesman Hugh Keane said the regional council would meet Whangamata Harbour groups and protesters today but didn't rule out legal action.
"Obviously we have a range of options available to us under the Resource Management Act in terms of enforcement," he said.
Those could include issuing an abatement or infringement notice - the former an order warning of further action if the council's rules are breached again and the latter an instant fine of up to $1000, depending on the offence.
Mr Keane said prosecution was the "ultimate deterrent" and Environment Waikato would be reluctant to use it.
"We would rather work with our ratepayers than get into a conflict situation."
Mrs Goudie's presence at the mangrove protest did not send a "helpful message", he said.
Whangamata resident Jack Wells said residents had had a "gutsful" and were illegally clearing mangroves to "force the issue".
It cost ratepayers up to $17,000 to get resource consent two years ago to clear a small area.
Mrs Goudie said the protest was the work of a group of "hard-working
citizens" who took pride in the environment.
Yeah right……..Good on ya Sandra. I'm hardworking too but manage to refrain from the odd spot of deforestation in my down time.
Quote:
Locals have long complained that the plants are marching ever-further into the
harbour and surrounding waterways, clogging up areas it was once possible to
waterski over.
God forbid nature be allowed to stand in the way of your elitist water pursuits.
Quote:
Mrs Goudie told the Herald on Sunday she had not done anything illegal, and had simply stacked plants that had already been chopped down.
I find this statement reminiscent of Helen Clarks speeding motorcade debacle, you know, the one where she (PM) was there but had no idea she was being driven at 180kph.” Come on Sandra, you were either in or out, don’t’ feebly attempt to minimise your involvement or distance yourself from this eco-crime now the proverbial crap has hit the fan. At best you are an accessory or complicit to this crime.
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"These people are sick of the political correctness crap.
Well excuse me Ms GOUDIE but it was your ilk that created this so called "political correctness crap”, live with it or change the laws by the correct political process after all you are a politician.
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“We've got to knock some of this red tape on the head."
The very same “red tape” you would gladly cower behind in your defence if prosecuted for your actions.
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National MP says a regional council will have a revolt on its hands if it tries to take legal action against her or anyone else involved in an illegal chainsaw attack on mangroves.
Revolt; rise in rebellion; Rebellion; organize open revolt to authority. Pretty strong words coming from an elected member of parliament, you know one of those advocates for democracy, an elected representative sworn to uphold the laws of New Zealand.
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Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons - a Coromandel resident- said as an MP it was inappropriate for Mrs Goudie to engage in "vigilante action". However, she wasn't known for her "ecological understanding".
Jeanette I disagree. Vigilante action implies Ms GOUDIE and the other protesters took it upon themselves to enforce the law, not so, they blatantly broke the law.
Come on Environment Waikato, deal with this in a consistent manner, you know like you would with any other member of the public who decides to break the environmental laws.
Ms GOUDIE and your fellow eco-terrorist, think more of your environment, the mangroves and the delicate ecosystems they support and less about the inconvenience they cause with your self indulgent water sports.
Bioraphy: Sandra GOUDIE: as seen on the National Party Website.
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Past Involvements:
Waikato Conservation Board 3-year appointment, Selected as Kelloggs Rural Leadership Scholar Supplier Representative, NZ Dairy Group, Judge for the Farm Environment Awards,
Thames Agricultural Advisory Committee, Federated Farmers Branch Chairperson and Secretary Compiler of Plains Profile Community Newspaper Secretary Citizens and Ratepayers Association and Tairua/Pauanui Sports Fishing Club newsletter
Work Areas for Council, 1998-2001:
Audit, Wastewater, Roading and Iwi Committees
Representative on Waihou/Piako Sub-Committees of Environment Waikato and Tourism Coromandel
Responsible for Cemeteries Management Plan and Bylaw for the District Community Board:
Rural Communities, rural water supplies, rural drainage, Thames Airfield, Thames Coast Reserves and communities
Responsible for Halls Policy, Library Policy and Terms of Reference, and policy for Alfresco Dining and Use of Footpath Space
Work Areas for Council 2001-2003:
Chair of Service Delivery (Infrastructure) Tairua/Pauanui Wastewater Committee, Waterways Committee for Mercury Bay
Representative on Hauraki Gulf Forum, and the Waihou/Piako Sub Committee For Environment Waikato (stepped down to accommodate National Party commitments)
Thames Community Board
