22 September 2011
Dump Residents Demand Answers from Minister

Residents repeated their call for the Minister of Earthquake Recovery (Hon Gerry Brownlee) to step up and show leadership.

Community spokesperson David Moorhouse said “this is an enormous problem for the whole of Christchurch that has not been resolved by dumping it elsewhere. We want the Minister to instruct CERA to prepare a plan that disposes of this waste in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible way.”
Residents plan to find out what advice officials provided the the Minister before the Order in Council (OIC) was approved.

Mr Moorhouse said “the OIC has a huge loophole that the applicant tried to exploit and that loophole is still wide open. It is unbelievable that the Minister did not receive advice, warning of this.”

Residents will file an Official Information Act request to find out what advice the Minister received.

Further information emerged about the health effects of demolition waste. Spokesperson George Kear said “As well as the health effects from the dust, we've now been made aware that vegetation stored on site will be a breeding ground for Legionella and other bio hazards”.

Residents confirmed their meeting today would go ahead and announced the list of speakers:
• Brett Aldrige from ECan (consent planning and environmental effects)
• Richard Hindle (specialist in handling hazardous waste including asbestos)
• Phil Harding (chair of the school principals assn)
• A expert on the health impacts of waste disposal
The meeting will be held today (Thursday 22 September) at the Paparoa St School Hall starting 7:30pm.

ENDS

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