Claims the waste to energy plant proposed for Te Awamutu will release toxic emissions have been denied by a lawyer close to the project.
An artist’s impression of Paewira. Photo: Supplied
Māori owned whanau business Global Metal Solutions’ in house counsel Amanda Waitere, whose company is the parent of applicant company Global Contracting Solutions, described Zero Waste’s claim about the proposed plants emissions as untrue in a submission to Waipā District Council.
“One of the criticisms of our project that has been alleged by in particular Zero Waste, is that we will release toxic emissions into the air that will be detrimental to the environment and to human health in Te Awamutu,” Waitere said in her submission.
“This is not true. We rely on the expert advice that we have received from Terry Brady Consulting Limited on this issue.”
The proposed waste to energy plant uses what Waitere described as proven technology that would strip out pollutants resulting in less than minor effects.
“Terry’s advice is that the air discharges from the plant are benign,” she said.
A digital mock-up of Paewira Recycle Plant
Waitere said Global Contracting Solutions would create 60 jobs, including 27 engineers, 22 in the recyclers team, eight in the yard team and six other staff.
“The benefits of this employment will be significant to the local economy in Te Awamutu,” she said.
“Our proposed waste to energy plant can improve the reliability and resilience of power supply within the Waipa district. The energy security provided will be a significant benefit for the Te Awamutu community.”
Don’t Burn Waipā spokesperson Eoin Fitzpatrick said he was not sure how qualified Waitere was to make claims regarding human health impacts.
“Also, not sure how qualified I am,” he added.
“I don’t believe any amount of infrastructure or technology will prevent the acrid stench from storing that amount of waste and burning tyres, plastic, vinyl, foam, rubber, diesel and goodness know what else. Surely these will cause some physical and mental health issues. If these are day to day impacts think what the consequences would be if there was breakdown or a fire or explosion at the site,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to work or live in the vicinity, and I certainly wouldn’t want to send my kids to schools next door or buy food that has been grown or processed nearby – these concerns are similar to what hundreds of residents and business owners including Fonterra raises about staff and product safety.”
Regardless of anyone’s views on incineration, Fitzpatrick said the location of this one was “undisputed as absolutely ludicrous”.
“The government talks about growth, but this ridiculous proposal is actually costing the country and our local economy. They should stop the ludicrous incinerator proposal right now for Te Awamutu and a number of developers, builders and investors will return to the market.
“Fonterra and other major food manufacturers and exporters like Manuka Health can get back to focusing on their export markets and you will save the country a fortune by not having to deal with the long-term health impacts and environmental clean-up.”
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