Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Forest and Bird will ensure Mapua clean-up done
Forest and Bird will ensure Mapua clean-up done
properly
Forest and Bird yesterday lodged an appeal of the resource consent granted to Theiss Services Pty. Ltd. by Tasman District Council for the clean-up of the Mapua contaminated site to ensure it is done properly.
Forest and Bird supports the planned clean-up but is concerned that the resource consent is inadequate to ensure that the dangerous site is cleaned up safely.
"Environmental and public health is important to Forest and Bird," Conservation Manager Kevin Hackwell said today. "It is vital that this much-needed clean-up is done properly."
"Forest and Bird does not wish to delay the clean-up and tomorrow will be beginning discussions with Thiess Services Pty. Ltd. to amicably resolve outstanding issues. We have been in contact with the lawyers representing Thiess Services Pty. Ltd. and hope to come to agreement on the issues under appeal within a reasonable amount of time," Mr. Hackwell said.
"Forest and Bird rarely appeals decisions on resource consents, but this decision was particularly bad. Many of the conditions that are meant to safeguard public and environmental health are unenforceable, poorly drafted and inconsistent with the requirements of the Resource Management Act," he said.
"It's important that central Government maintains its commitment to the Mapua clean-up throughout the appeal period. The clean-up of this site is necessary, but it must be done well and done safely. Forest and Bird expects that the Government will agree," he said.
"Forest and Bird is aware that people are impatient to get on with the job after such a long time, but is concerned that impatience should not over-ride caution and due diligence. After all, this is a very dangerous site," he said.
NOTES
Greenpeace has also appealed the consent conditions.
Forest and Bird has been actively involved in issues associated with the Mapua clean-up for more than 8 years and previously appealed a decision in 1995 by Tasman District Council to 'cap and bund' rather than clean up the site. Forest and Bird opposed the cap and bund proposal outright. That case is on hold because of the current application.
Forest and Bird generally supports
the current proposal for cleaning up Mapua, but wants to
ensure it is done properly.
Gordon Campbell: On What’s Wrong With The Treaty Principles Bill
Watercare Services: No Cause For Concern After Slightly Elevated Levels Of Arsenic Detected In Treated Waikato River Water
Te Pāti Māori: Government’s First Year A ‘Catastrophe For Māori’
Department Of Internal Affairs: Samoan Citizenship Bill Passes Into Law
NZ National Party: National Acknowledges The Passing Of Hon Nikki Kaye
Mana Mokopuna: Children And Young People Share Vital Insights On Healing From Family Violence And Sexual Violence In New Report
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
