There are a lot of flags being flown in Southland these days, each emblazoned with the $ symbol, blue on blue.
South Port chairman John Harrington believes he can see the future and it's a dirty one, in my view.
Harrington says: 'Dairying ... has the potential to double in Southland from the existing number of 155 000 cows'. 'Agriculture is the realistic way forward.' says Mr Harrington.
He cites too, a forecast, doubling the global demand for seafood and expresses excitement about Southland's gas, oil and coal-to-urea projects, all of which will push up the cargo volumes that pass through the port of Bluff.
He is but one of the 'high level' players lauding their pet extractive industries in Southland, all of whom parrot the line,
"..a trade-off between economic growth and the environment will be needed."
Trade-off indeed.
Mr Harrington seemed very disappointed that the Government has 'decided not to extract minerals in conservation areas, effectively ruling out a source of wealth for the nation'.
What a disappointment that must have been for him. I can only imagine what his opinion of the 'great unwashed' responsible for the Government's back-down must be!
Still, it's all looking promising for Mr Harrington. His comments positively drip with 'great economic expectations'.
4 comments:
Robert these are the people I find very concerning they only see dollars in their eyes. Nor do they admit the wealth they want will only go into the hands of a few. In other words stuff our environment as long as I and my friends get rich......... The worry is after next Saturday who will be elected that these growth obsessed people know they can rely on to get what they want.
We shall have to wait see Pauline.
It might be that there are some who make it through to the inner sanctum and can effect changes where they are needed.
Feels like a lottery at the moment, yes?
I really hope you get there Robert.
We also have an incredibly critical election on the WC, some real rotters are running for the regional council which has been dominated by farmers and miners in the past.
But we have one excellent candidate, a school teacher with a love for the environment and a passion for the outdoors.
Pray for Andy to win Robert!
And I will send a few your way too.
Thanks very much Shunda - I'm accepting all well wishes!
Can you send me something on Andy?
I'll have a go at finding him on the interwebs.
Won't be too long til we all know.
Real sunny here today and we're all out in the garden, planting spring onions by the score, peas by the front door and generally getting amongst the greenery.
How about you?
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