Source: Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
In a recent win for the Denniston Plateau: Bathurst Resources’ Fast-track application to mine this extraordinary place has been rejected as incomplete.
Now, we’d love you to join Forest & Bird and 350 Aotearoa for a webinar to hear what this decision means, why Denniston is so important, and what comes next in the fight to protect it.
West Coast green gecko Naultinus tuberculatus (Denniston Bioblitz 2026). Image: Scott Burnett.
This is an important win, but Denniston isn’t safe yet.
Bathurst will attempt to address the gaps and submit a new application soon. But doing so won’t change the fundamental problem with its proposal: open-cast coal mining would cause permanent damage to the unique and irreplaceable ecosystems of the Buller Plateaux.
This setback for Bathurst gives us valuable time to prepare for the next stage of the fight.
Come along to celebrate this win, learn more about what’s at stake, and find out how together we can keep working towards permanent protection for Denniston.
Protecting Denniston webinar: Unpacking Bathurst’s Fast-Track Coal Mine Proposal
Wednesday 21 October, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
At the webinar, you’ll hear from:
- Scott Burnett, Forest & Bird Denniston spokesperson
- Adam Curie, 350 Aotearoa campaigner
- Sally Gepp KC, Resource management and environmental law barrister
- Suzanne Hills, Forest & Bird West Coast branch chair
What we’ll cover:
- An overview of Bathurst’s open-cast mining application and the specific ecological values on the line.
- The Fast-track process: How the current Fast-track legislation operates and a walk-through of the timeline of this application.
- The major environmental concerns: The severe impacts on indigenous biodiversity, freshwater systems, and climate.
- Taking action: Clear, effective steps you can take right now to object to the proposal and activate your community.
This webinar will be of relevance to you whether you are coming to this issue afresh or have been following it closely for some time.
Deep Stream, part of Bathhurst Resource’s Mt Frederick South mine expansion. Image: Scott Burnett.
Take action now
Are you heading along to any political candidates’ meetings? These are the perfect places to raise awareness for Denniston by asking politicians what they’ll do to save this amazing place. You could ask:
- Will your party repeal or strengthen the Fast-track Approvals Act so major projects can’t bypass public scrutiny and environmental safeguards?
- Over 30,000 people have called for the Denniston Plateau to become a Scientific Reserve. Will your party support permanent protection for this unique landscape?
- If mining goes ahead, will you require the company to fully fund long-term water treatment and monitoring so taxpayers aren’t left with the bill?
- Will your party strengthen mining laws to ensure companies pay the full cost of environmental cleanup and rehabilitation?
- What will your party do to create sustainable, long-term jobs on the West Coast without expanding coal mining?
Ask these questions and help put Denniston’s future on the agenda.