Smith in Greymouth to discuss plans for Pike River site

The Pike River memorial at Logburn Rd on the West Coast. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Government Minister Nick Smith was in Greymouth yesterday to begin discussions on what to do with the Pike River mine site.

Solid Energy announced on November 6 it was abandoning the mine re-entry, and would return the site in the Paparoa foothills behind Atarau to the Department of Conservation.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry is related to families spokesman Bernie Monk and Dr Smith has stepped in.

Dr Smith confirmed today he had met the Pike River families yesterday.

"It was constructive but no decisions were made. It was part of the ongoing dialogue about the future of the site, in which there will be further discussion in the new year."

Families are being surveyed on what they would prefer.

A very early suggestion being bandied about is a memorial walk linking two West Coast disaster sites on opposite sides of the Paparoa Range - Cave Creek and Pike River Mine.

Next April marks the 20th anniversary of the Cave Creek disaster, when 14 people died after the viewing platform they were standing on plunged into a chasm near Punakaiki.

- Greymouth Star