BURNING QUESTION
Regarding the Northland
Regional Council Draft Regional Plan – Air Quality: The council charged with caring about the quality of the air in Northland is proposing to allow farmers to burn polyethelene plastic bale wrap.
Why is the Northland Regional Council taking such a retrograde step?
Burning of agricultural plastics can lead to the release of many air pollutants and hazardous byproducts, including heavy metals, dioxins and furans.
Dioxins and furans are a health concern even in very small quantities.
By permitting the open air burning of plastics the air quality of Northland, our ‘green tourism’ industry and the health of the population is compromised.
Trina Upperton
Ohaeawai
Northland Regional Council responds.
A proposal to allow the burning of silage wrap was included in the Draft Regional Plan by council after weighing up the actual effects of the activity and taking into account the current lack of alternatives for Northland farmers, including limited recycling options.
Several other councils with a large agricultural sector also currently allow the burning of bale wrap.
Council received more than 40 submissions opposing the burning of silage wrap. These will be considered by council early next year.
SEWERAGE SUPPORT
Regarding the Kerikeri Sewerage Scheme: I am very much in favour of supporting a scheme, but not in favour of costly ad-hoc design and the current way the council is imposing a heavy debt burden on ratepayers.
The rush to obtain legally binding signatures to the documents issued to Kerikeri residents is said to enable council staff to issue tenders to contractors by September 30.
It is without question that a new treatment plant is urgently required. The council is to be commended on the purchase of a new site and should immediately develop a fit for purpose modern treatment plant.
This would be a major step forward and would secure a proportion of the Government subsidy offered.
Stage two would allow time to develop a comprehensive integrated sewerage design for the entire district.
This would bring substantial Fred Terry BOI-Whangaroa Ward candidate
QUESTIONS RAISED
Mayor John Carter said ‘‘Rates are never fair. There are always people advantaged and disadvantaged in the rating system.’’ His council has not reviewed the rates policy equals zero effort for a fairer system.
Did councillors ask, ‘can those who have to pay the targeted rate for this scheme afford $23million?’.
The fact is there are lots of choices; which properties to include? What type of reticulation and wastewater treatment process?
And importantly, what might a new scheme mean for the future development of Kerikeri?
Affected ratepayers have not been consulted on these options. Jane Johnston BOI-Whangaroa Ward candidate
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters must not exceed 250 words and must have your full name, residential address and phone number. Only your name and town/suburb are published. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply. Email jenny.ling@fairfaxmedia.co.nz