Heated debate on Waimairi rubbish

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 4

Heated debate on Waimairi rubbish

- . , : t -. . 1L * . /■\7' * • 7- ,' , , '■ ' , 7 ' The attempted postponement of a planning hear- . ing over the Waimairi Coastal rubbish landfill site to allow objectors more time to prepare their case failed at a Waimairi County Council meeting last evening.

The issue was one of several aspects of the metropolitan refuse, scheme made the subject of heated discussion at the meeting. ■ At one point the ' county chairman (Mr D. B. Rich), warned Cr A. A. Adcock to reconsider criticisms he had made of the metropolitan committee chairman (Mr J. M. McKenzie). . / Cr Adcock asserted that the committee was inflexible towards alternatives to the existing refuse -scheme and referred to “narrow, arrogant

attitudes.” . i Slamming the council table, Cr I. G. Clark, a representative on the metropolitan committee, responded that Cr Adcock’s remarks were “offensive,” Cr Adcock, however, declined to withdraw them.

He said he had a tape recording of remarks by Mr McKenzie, proving that information given to the public over trial rubbish dumping at

the landfill site had, been incorrect. . Cr Adcock earlier had failed to find- a seconder dor a motion to delay the Waimairi' County’s'hearing 'of a designation requirement for-the coastal site until after the local body-elections. It was going to.- take a long time for the objectors to ; accumulate evidence, some of it overseas, and engage consultants, Cr Adcock said. The hearing has been tentatively set for 10 days in September; The council has received legal advice that the hearing process cannot extend over the local body elections on. October 11; if it does it would have to be restarted. Cr I. Calvert, chairman of the hearings’ sub-committee, said objectors should apply, giving “concrete evidence” why additional time should be given for them. A letter from the Waimairi Coastal Protection Committee tabled

at last evening’s meeting did not have sufficient evidence, he said.

. Cr Adcock also attacked the way in which: the council had lodged an objection against the landfill designation requirement. The objection/ dealing with road access to the site through residential areas, was “very brief and inadequately worded,” he said. The county chairman had filed it on the council’s behalf and Cr Adcock questioned why it was riot first referred To meetings for discussion.

He suggested the council should have become concerned with other “vital” en--vironmental aspects of. the proposal. ■ Mr Rich, also a member of the metropolitan committee, said in addition to the one objection, council staff would make . reports on various aspects of the landfill siting at the hearing.