QEII Trust open space covenants cut mining options

Good work down south. We can stop some mining by applying these covenants on land - protecting the land for the future. Smart thinking that is good for all.

From The Southland Times

"A Croydon farm, which has coalmining giant Solid Energy and the Department of Conservation as its neighbours, is among the latest list of Southland properties to be granted a QEII Trust open space covenant.

Allan and Robina Johnston today celebrate registration of the covenant for 4.87ha of their 423ha sheep and beef farm near Gore with a field day.

Mrs Johnston said yesterday the covenant covered only a small area of the farm but the couple were working on getting a further 23ha registered. These areas featured a small fossil seam and a traditional Maori oven, she said.

The couple have a love of trees and getting a covenant just made sense.

It was about leaving a legacy for future generations.

It also meant Solid Energy, which has secured major lignite reserves in the area by buying farms over the years, would not be able to touch the land, Mrs Johnston said.

That attitude is what we need. Well done to the johnstons. No coal mine under their land.