Gas depot unwanted

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 12

Gas depot unwanted

PA Auckland A Wiri company which uses flammable material in some of its products is worried about having a bulk liquefied petroleum gas depot as a neighbour. The Liquigas consortium plans to install 15 underground tanks of 155 tonnes each at the Wiri Station Road site, which is opposite the Mauri Food Ingredients factory. Mauri’s permanent consultant and development chemist, Mr R. Durham, said there was the danger that if the L.P.G. leaked it could flow across the road and into the factory, where ethyl alcohol and other flammable liquids such as orange oil were stored.

If the L.P.G. ignited it could also set fire to the

flammable liquids, some of which were stored in 200 litre drums and could explode. When the company first heard about the plans for the installation late last year Mr Durham and a union delegate, Mr A. Nadin, wrote to the Manukau City Council, the Minister of Energy (Mr Birch), the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) local members of Parliament, and the Labour Department pointing out the dangers it could pose. Mr Birch replied that he had to respect the judgment of Liquigas that the Wiri site was to be preferred to other sites. He also said that the site was close to L.P.G. markets, the Manukau Harbour, and railway sidings.

Mr Nadin said he had suggested other sites to consortium representatives, but

these had more or less just been “rubbished.” A rural area with reasonably good roads would be better, he said. There were many suitable areas near the Manukau Harbour that would be suitable and where there was little residential housing. So far, the Manukau City Council has not had formal application for planning permission for the installation, but a spokesman confirmed that council officers had had informal discussions with representatives of the consortium.

South Auckland Labour Party members have already launched a campaign against the installation. Forty of them have seen a screening of . the American film, “Bleve,” which has been blamed for arousing fear of L.P.G. in Onehunga.