SMALLER PORTS MAY SUIT OIL REFINERY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28911, 3 June 1959, Page 16

SMALLER PORTS MAY SUIT OIL REFINERY

'The Press*' Special Service

AUCKLAND, June 2. Ports like Mt Maunganui, Portland. (Whangarei) and Tarakohe (Nelson) might be preferable to metropolitan Auckland as an oil refinery site, said Dr. K. B. Cumberland, chairman of the Auckland Regional Planning Authority, in a “look before we leap" warning. In Europe the latest refineries had been located on deep water, well away from existing towns and cities, he said. The smaller ports might be preferable in New Zealand if distribution could be carried out economically by sea to all main ports. In the light of experience in other countries, a world organisation like Shell would be anxious to avoid a site likely to cause a nuisance to adjacent urban areas, said Di\ Cumberland. In other parts of the world refineries had proved a formid-

able nuisance because of air pollution and Auckland might soon have serious regrets if a giant refinery were erected on 200 acres within the metropolitan area. “On the other hand, refining techniques are continually being improved, as also are methods of controlling the emission of fumes and other noxious effluents.” said Dr. Cumberland. He said the pull of the Auckland market, which alone was likely soon to require a quarter of a refinery’s output, would be a strong attraction to those siting one. But local bodies should not commit themselves, he added, without proper consideration.