![\"Greenpeace](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/09\/f9da0153-0q9a7616-preview.jpg\" "\\"Greenpeace")
\u00a9 Marty Melville \/ Greenpeace<\/div>” class=”wp-image-66113″\/>Greenpeace says this action is “a demonstration of the resistance promised” in a recently published open letter<\/a> to all companies considering using the Fast Track Approvals process<\/a>. More than 7,500 people have signed on to the letter so far.<\/p>\n\n A second company seeking consent for seabed mining in the area has just confirmed <\/a>they are voluntarily withdrawing, citing regulatory uncertainty as one of the reasons, along with the emergence of an offshore wind energy generation proposal that would be incompatible with the seabed mining industry.<\/p>\n\n Greenpeace says that\u2019s evidence that the pressure is working.<\/p>\n\n Australian mining company TTR is vying to mine 50 million tons of iron sands in the South Taranaki Bight every year for 30 years. The company has made no secret of the fact it will use the much-maligned Fast Track Bill to get a green light after years of opposition by Taranaki hap\u016b, environmentalists, the fishing industry and marine mammal experts.<\/p>\n\n Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juressa Lee says, “We\u2019re taking this action to highlight the danger that Trans-Tasman Resources may slip through the Fast Track process, despite years of community opposition and rejection by the courts.<\/p>\n\n “We\u2019re also highlighting the role played by the mining industry lobbyist Straterra, which has the ear of this government and is pushing this extractive, polluting project.<\/p>\n\n “Straterra is a malignant force in New Zealand politics, operating in the shadows and backrooms to exert a pernicious influence over Government policies. Straterra\u2019s stated objectives would shock all New Zealanders who value the natural world and a healthy democracy.<\/p>\n\n “Today, we will drag Straterra\u2019s dirty business into the sunlight and expose their malevolent intentions for all to see.<\/p>\n\n “TTR has tried and failed for more than a decade to get approval to mine the seabed because it was never able to show that it wouldn\u2019t cause substantial harm to the environment. If seabed mining is fast tracked, it will be in contempt of all expert advice and the wishes of local iwi, environmental groups, Taranaki communities and the 60,000 New Zealanders who have signed the petition<\/a> calling for it to be banned.”<\/p>\n\n Lee says it\u2019s clear that even the coalition\u2019s own supporters are against the Fast Track too.<\/p>\n\n