connect, advocate, activate.
Press Release 26 August 2026
Independent report highlights potential impacts of Stockton Mine closure.
An independent economic assessment has found the closure of Bathurst’s Stockton Mine could have significant consequences for Westport, Buller and the wider West Coast economy, including the loss of hundreds of jobs and potential impacts on 11 per cent of Westport households.
Read the Development West Coast press release here.
Read the full independent report here.
Westport Enterprise Network Press Release 26 August 2026
The Westport Business Community Overwhelmingly Supports the Bathurst Fast Track Application
A survey underway by Westport Enterprise Network (WEN) has so far returned responses from 82.7% of its businesses, and support is overwhelming with 95.7% of businesses saying they support the Bathurst Resources Buller Plateaux Continuation Project and 91.5% saying WEN should advocate in support of the fast track process.
“The mine currently underpins the local economy, and while WEN was formed to help grow and diversify business, any future growth does rely on having a good baseline of economic development already within the district,” says WEN chair Luke Robertson.
“It’s clear to us that businesses are not only concerned for their own business, but the future of the entire community,” he says. “While headlines focus on the mining itself, it’s our local community that will take the brunt of any decisions. It’s more than just mining jobs, it’s downstream jobs such as freight, maintenance, supermarkets, and hospitality. We would also lose schools, sports coaches, and volunteers.”
The coal from Stockton is widely regarded among the world's finest for steelmaking, and is exported to India, Japan, South Korea and China. The quality of the coal means that when small amounts of Stockton coal are blended with lower quality coals from other sources, the coke mix blends into steel faster thus reducing the total amount of coal used to make each tonne of hot metal resulting in reduced carbon emissions. Bathurst contributes more than $100 million to the local economy each year.
This year alone, Westport has lost 40 jobs with the Westland Mineral Sands closure and 92 jobs from the Talley’s processing factory. Bathurst operates an opencast coalmine at Stockton, just north of Westport, which is the largest mine in NZ, employing more than 400 locals. Some Stockton approvals are due to run out in 2027, and the application is applying to continue the existing Stockton operation and to extend works onto part of the Denniston Plateau. The application is currently lodged with the Environment Protection Authority under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
“People love living here because of the environment, not in spite of it, " Robertson says. “We have a wonderful business community, and our members are made up of sole traders, hospitality, small export businesses, and larger businesses including Bathurst. In a town of only 4500 we know we are all in this together, and our future is on a knife's edge right now.”
Some of the comments from the WEN survey include:
“My partner and I relocated to Westport just two months ago because of employment at the mine. Our move is a direct example of how this operation attracts new people to the district, which in turn brings new spending to local businesses and strengthens the community. Securing this 25-year project is essential if we want to continue attracting and retaining a vibrant workforce on the West Coast.”
“As a local Westport business, we see first-hand the important contribution [Bathurst] makes to our community. [Bathurst] is a significant customer of our business, and the economic activity they generate has a direct impact on businesses like ours.”
“For Westport and the wider Buller region, the importance of meaningful, well-paid jobs cannot be underestimated. The wages earned by people working at the mine are spent locally, supporting shops, trades, hospitality, services and many other businesses throughout our community.”
“It is extremely important that Westport businesses stand up and support Bathurst and the proposed fast track proposal. The coal is used for steel production with no current alternatives. If lower quality coal is used, then the environmental effect is far worse. The area under application approx. 650ha will provide funding for past restoration work of pre 2000 mining. Rehabilitation since Bathurst started approx. 500ha There are so many positive reasons to support the application including the value to local economy, workforce and social fabric of the community.”
“I believe the project should be given the opportunity to progress through the appropriate assessment process, with proper consideration of environmental, economic and community impacts. From a regional perspective, I support initiatives that can contribute to sustainable employment, investment and economic opportunities while ensuring the relevant safeguards and requirements are met.”
ENDS
We’re officially incorporated!
We became officially incorporated as at 16-Jul-2026.
You can look us up on the Incorporated Societies Register through the NZ Companies Office by searching for Westport Enterprise Network Incorporated or our Societies number 50265650.
You can read our constitution here.