Proposed $350m waste plant not困顿中的欧盟需要治愈的良方

A group opposing a $350 million waste to energy plant in Waimate say the company behind the proposal, South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL), has not provided enough information for local people to make an informed decision.

The group, which had 32 members at its first meeting, has set up a social media presence with the name W2E Incinerator Waimate opposition, spokeswoman Paula Ryan said.

‘‘We’ve only seen the glossy PR work, there has been no real information,’’ she said. ‘‘The Waimate community don’t realise the implications while people in Timaru and Otago are asking the questions. We can only do our own research. There’s not enough information coming out from the company.’’

Under the proposal waste would be collected from around the South Island and brought to the Waimate plant for incineration.

Ryan said she believed the company targeted smaller populated areas, away from major centres which produced much of the waste, because of the possibility of less opposition and with the enticement of jobs.

Her group is calling for a public meeting. Two public drop-in information sessions were held last month and some attendees told The Timaru Herald they were disappointed by the format.

Ryan said they would invite the company to come to their meeting.

SIRRL director Paul Taylor said they had contacted opponents to their proposal via social media to discuss issues with them in person.

‘‘It has been disappointing that they’ve chosen not to respond. Hearing through the media that they would like a meeting is good news.

‘‘Especially when some of the information they are sharing is not the latest, particularly in the area of new technology.’’

Besides environmental and health concerns, the group wanted to know what the feeder fuel would be, where the plant was to be located, what the technology would be, and a time frame when rail would be used to transport waste from around the South Island to the plant.

The Timaru Herald also asked SIRRL similar questions including if the technology would be Chinese and when they would apply for consents.

Taylor did not answer the specific questions.

‘‘We’re looking forward to holding further information sessions in the region once we’ve gone through the necessary steps in the resource consent process, and then we can share this with

the community,’’ he said.

‘‘Until these steps are complete, we can’t lodge the consent. We’re reaching out to local iwi and urging local people to participate in the resource consenting process and have their say on the project. That is why we will be asking Environment Canterbury to publicly notify our resource consent application.’’

SIRRL has stated 100 jobs would be created, which Ryan doubted.

‘‘It’ll be specialised equipment and computer operated and employing 70 truck drivers, not locals, because the waste is not coming from the locals.

‘‘Are they going to be stockpiling waste which has the risk of leaching out? I think the information is incredibly lacking. Even the council has insufficient information,’’ Ryan said.

Taylor said SIRRL was continuing to work with their ‘‘offshore joint venture partners as providers of the proven technology and expertise’’.

‘‘We are also planning to commence rail transport negotiations to eventually replace at least half of the truck movements.’’

Ryan felt the Waimate District Council should have commissioned an independent report on the proposal.

Waimate District mayor Craig Rowley said it was not the council’s job to research, obtain or provide any information to the community until a formal approach for resource consent.

‘‘At this stage . . . we are aware of the concept put forward by SIRRL and hold no view or opinion on the matter.

‘‘There is no obligation for the council to appoint an independent body to consider this idea, as it, at this point in time, is merely a concept and discussion.’’

Rowley said once a resource consent application was received, the council would take the necessary steps to ensure that the proposal was fully understood, and met all requirements of the District Plan.