Waipā District Council is drafting a submission against the building of the Paewira waste to energy plant in Racecourse Road in Te Awamutu.
Protest in Te Awamutu
Councillors who debated the plan last week said they believed the wrong site was being looked at.
A board of inquiry is to decide Global Contracting Solutions’ resource consent application to build the plant near homes, a childcare centre, college, Fonterra dairy factory and Mangapiko Stream.
Te Awamutu-Kihikihi General Ward councillor Andrew Brown summed up the council’s position towards the end of a submission workshop for elected members last Wednesday.
“Even if I was completely reassured as quality of emissions, which I am not, this is surely in the wrong place.”
The proposal would see the facility burn around 480 tonnes of car bodies, plastic, tyres, commercial and industrial waste every day. Steam from the waste would be used to generate electricity.
Cambridge Ward councillor Roger Gordon agreed with Brown.
“My main concern really is that it is new technology, and while there are many statements being made about the quality of emissions it’s unproven, and we don’t know what the future impact is going to be,” he said.
Council strategy group manager Kirsty Downey told elected members the council submission should be focussed on location, placemaking, community interest and community wellbeing.
“The point we should be communicating to the board is that there is not enough evidence that the proposed waste to energy plant will actually uphold our community wellbeing,” she said.
“A social impact assessment was requested from the applicant back in December of 2023 and that hasn’t yet been provided. So, as part of that submission, we would also be recommending that we request a social impact assessment be provided by the applicant.”
Pirongia-Kakepuku councillor Clare St Pierre suggested there may be more appropriate sites.
“I am quite concerned about its proximity to Fonterra because it’s a food processing plant.”
Downey said council staff recommended the submission discussed the possibility the location of the proposed plant may adversely affect the amenity and character of the adjacent residential area, as well as Te Awamutu and Waipā being a desirable district to live, work, invest in, recreate in.
Fonterra submitted against the construction of the plant, before the application was called in by the board.
Waipā district mayor and dairy farmer Susan O’Regan looked at a worst-case scenario, and the long-term impacts on an agricultural sector scale.
“The stakes are extremely high, and I want to make sure that the inquiry around those negative impacts isn’t just limited to the neighbouring streets.”
Around 800 submissions have already been received regarding the application, the majority in opposition. Submissions close on December 18 and the board will have nine months to decide.
An artist’s impression of the proposed plant.
