Finally, a chance to get information

(Letter to the editor, Southland Times, 24 January)

Solid Energy complains (January 22) that "green lobbyists" are doing their best to limit discussion on lignite mining.
  I went along to hear their case at the Mataura Community Centre on Sunday.
  By my memory, Solid Energy's current proposals for its use of Gore district lignite first appeared in public in 2006.
  Ever since, apart from a little commercial puffery, Solid Energy hasn't ever opened its proposals to public discussion.
  More remarkable perhaps has been the reaction of the Gore District Council - nothing.
  Not a word of information or explanation. Not a sign of public discussion.
  For this project of this size, is that good enough?
  Lignite underlies about 16,000 hectares of the Gore district, apart from some urban areas, all good farmland.
  Getting on for half of that is said to be already signed up by Solid Energy.
  What happens to the rest?
  I would listen to Solid Energy's case if they made one.
  I would participate in our council's discussion if they came out of their shell, but the only option I actually had to learn anything was at Sunday's meeting.
  I found the case convincing, and yes, you've guessed it, not a Gore district councillor in sight.

John Purey-Cust
Gore