Worry over potential landfill prompts meeting
A MEETING will be hosted by a group of Dunedin residents concerned about a potential new landfill site.
The Dunedin City Council has plans for a new landfill at Smooth Hill, in Big Stone Rd, Brighton.
Big Stone Rd resident Sarah Ramsay, who organised the July 27 meeting, said residents wanted to ensure the council would follow a proper full public consultation process on the landfill.
‘‘We feel strongly that a designation done 30 years ago bears very little relevance today.
‘‘In proceeding to the Otago Regional Council for resource consents we think it would be very untoward for [the Dunedin city] council to attempt anything other than request a fully publicnotified process and it is our concern that they don’t intend to do so.
‘‘We hope that by hosting our own community meeting that council staff, councillors and the ORC will appreciate the concern of the wider community and ensure that their views are taken into consideration.’’
Saddle Hill Community Board chairman Scott Weatherall said he would continue advocating on behalf of concerned residents about the site and hoped council would take notice.
‘‘We just want a fair deal. It’s a significant thing for the community and we know there are time constraints but it’s not our problem.’’
The Green Island landfill’s existing consent will expire in 2023, and site investigations for the Brighton location had been completed.
The Smooth Hill site, bordered by McLaren Gully and Big Stone Rds, was identified by the council as a potential landfill in 1992.