Smithfield track

For almost a year the track behind the Smithfield freezing works has been closed. There are very few tracks at the north end of Timaru as it is, and there has been a wonderful job of planting in the area to make it attractive.

My question to the three parties involved – Smithfield freezing works, Environment Canterbury and Timaru District Council: If it is so dangerous for me to walk through the closed area taking approximately five minutes, what precautions have been made for the workers on the other side of the fence? They probably spend up to nine hours a day there, with the mainly easterly wind. If asbestos is present and airborne it is going to blow towards the works.

The track is now falling into disrepair and sadly, at the lack of progress by all parties, I have doubts that anything is being done or has been done or anyone has any intention of getting it done.

This should have been a simple fix but no, it gets lost in bureaucracy and red tape, all at a cost to the ratepayer.

Ian D Cumberland

Timaru

Response from Alliance Group Smithfield plant manager Karen Morris: The health and safety of our people is paramount and independent testing has concluded there is no risk to staff at our Smithfield plant.

The asbestos-containing material was likely used as infill many years ago by a previous landowner and Alliance Group is currently developing a remediation plan for the area.

We appreciate the patience of the community while we work to identify the most practicable and safest option for the remediation of the site.