Don’t Burn Waipā group to hold public meeting

Following on from Waipā District Council’s decision to call-in the proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in Te Awamutu, Don’t Burn Waipā have organised a public meeting for Wednesday, February 21.

Don’t Burn Waipā, a community group opposing the waste-to-energy plant, will host the meeting from 6.30pm at the Te Awamutu Library.

The Waikato Regional Council has also requested that the Minister for Environment call-in the application because it is nationally significant with effects wider than just this region.

Waipā District Council agreed to follow suit at its meeting on Wednesday.

If the minister agrees this means that the Environment Court would consider the application, rather than hearing commissioners appointed by both of the councils.

“We need to continue to educate the community about what we are doing and what to expect at the Environment Court. We also need to raise money for the upcoming hearings where we may need to bring in experts and lawyers to support our position,” Don’t Burn Waipā spokesman Eoin Fitzpatrick said.

“We believe that calling-in the application is a good thing because a similar incinerator application in the Waimate District has already been called in. If our application also goes to the court a consistent approach to both applications can be made. The factors that influenced the minister to call In the Waimate proposal also apply here so we are optimistic of the outcome even though we now have a different government and minister.

“The committee behind Don’t Burn Waipā wants to say a huge thank you to all those who are supporting our cause. Knowing that so many in our community are behind us is what keeps us going. This cause is worth fighting for.

“The organising group has been busy preparing for a long haul. We are presently setting up a formal group that will represent the whole community. We have received great support from GoEco and the Zero Waste Network who have shared their knowledge, experience and valuable contacts.”

Don’t Burn Waipā said they are aware that they need to broaden the way they communicate.

You may see some of them at local markets distributing information and selling T-shirts.

They also hope to have their own website soon to reach people who are not Facebook users.

“If any local groups would like someone to come and talk about what we are doing please contact us via our Facebook page and we will be pleased to help.”

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If you would like to contribute to the group, you can donate via givealittle.co.nz/cause/ dont-burn-waipa