Debate heating up on waste plant
Environmental group backs councils’ caution over incinerator plan but project’s chief airs disappointment
The Waipā District Council’s decision to join the Waikato Regional Council and request the Minister for the Environment call in the consent application for Paewira, New Zealand’s first energy-from-waste facility, has strong support from the Zero Waste Network but is disappointing for applicant Global Contracting Solutions.
Project chair Roger Wilson says the Paewira team is considering its position to support the decision of both local government bodies.
“We welcome appropriate process and robust consideration, given it is such an innovative development — the first of its kind in New Zealand.
“As we’ve stated before, we have deep respect for the resource consent process and relevant environmental considerations, as well as the Te Awamutu community.
“Our world needs innovative solutions to waste management and climate change — Paewira is just that, utilising innovation that has been proven around the world.”
Wilson says it’s disappointing that the bodies have taken this approach.
“We consider the Resource Management Act to prescribe a process for this type of decision to be made at a local level and we take some confidence that neither local government body can raise a reason to outright decline the application,” says Wilson.
“It is our view the ‘call-in’ resolution moves the consent decision to a New Zealand-wide consideration.
“Anecdotal evidence from around the world demonstrates energy-from-waste has a role in the waste hierarchy and a facility with the proposed technology and scale is entirely appropriate,” the Paewira project chairman says.
Wilson says GCS wants to ensure that everyone has the correct information about Paewira and is concerned that there is inaccurate information circulating about the proposed project.
“We encourage interested parties to visit our website [www.paewira.co. nz] or the Paewira Facebook page to understand project details.”
However, the Zero Waste Network strongly supports the decision of both councils.
“This incinerator would be a major contributor to climate change and spread toxic dioxin emissions throughout the air, land and water. It is vital that all of these impacts are taken into account,” says Sue Coutts of the Zero Waste Network.
The Waipā District Council’s vote on Wednesday to request that the Minister for the Environment ‘call in’ the application, using powers under the Resource Management Act for projects of national significance, will enable the climate change impacts of the incinerator proposal to be factored into the decision-making process.
The Zero Waste Network says the plant plans to burn plastics, tyres and mixed solid waste which creates CO emissions.
They say the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that each tonne of waste burned produces up to 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
“We need to reduce our emissions drastically. The most critical first step is not to build massive new sources of CO2 .”
“Opposition to this proposal comes from across the spectrum from residents, businesses and environmental organisations. Fonterra made a submission opposing the project,” says Coutts.
“A similar incinerator proposal in Waimate, South Canterbury has already been called in by the minister and we believe this application should be dealt with in the same way to ensure a consistent and robust approach across the whole country.
“The message from communities across the country to new Associate Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds, who holds the waste portfolio, is clear: People don’t want landfills or incinerators in their neighbourhoods.
“People want real solutions to waste. This means reduction at the source, along with a shift to reuse and repair.
“The Ministry for the Environment is implementing the Waste Strategy and there is cross-sector work in progress to put product stewardship schemes in place,” says Coutts.
“Incineration is completely at odds with New Zealand’s direction of travel.”
To view the work of The Zero Waste Network go to zerowaste.co.nz