Social concerns of a peat to synthetic crude industry on the Chatham Islands

Abstract

Preliminary investigations have indicated that the Chatham Island peat resource could supply a large proportion of the nation's liquid fuel requirements. Large scale peat development on the Chatham Islands would have significant social, environmental and economic implications. This study uses an issues orientated approach to outline the principle areas for concern of large scale peat development. A conceptual framework of an on-going social impact assessment (SIA) process is outlined. The current state of investigations into a major synthetic fuels industry on the Chatham Islands is given in addition to one production scenario. The legislative context in which peat mining would occur is discussed with emphasis on the Coal Mines Act 1979. Environmental implications of peat development are considered with particular regard to the adequacy of the present reserves system and absence of direct catchment authority involvement on the islands. An outline of the local and central government administration of the Chatham Islands is discussed in relation to the implications of rapid growth from peat development. The history of exploitative development on the Chatham Islands is developed as a theme in which the current mainstay economic activities of farming and fishing are outlined. A community analysis is then presented from fieldwork carried out on the Chatham Islands. The attitudes of local residents to peat development are also discussed. An approach to policy making, planning and management is presented within the context of an SIA process. Areas of potential conflict are identified and the need for community involvement and forward planning is stressed. It is recommended that the legitimate needs of the Chatham Island community should be recognised and incorporated in an SIA process as an integral part of the peat mining proposals.