Environmental groups are urging the Southland District Council to reverse a decision allowing coal exploration in the region.

The council has granted Australian-owned mining company New Brighton Collieries access to its forestry block at Ohai - about 60 kilometres north-west of Invercargill.

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In a letter to the council, Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, Generation Zero and five other organisations say it is inappropriate for Aotearoa to continue exploring for coal in the midst of a climate and ecological emergency.

Forest & Bird Youth chief policy lead George Hobson and Southland District mayor Gary Tong spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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Reporting by Radio New Zealand

Republished by Arrangement