Meat works for Takamatua

Press, 13 December 1982, Page 4

Meat works for Takamatua

The Akaroa Count}' Council wants to change its district scheme plan, to allow for the construction of a meat processing works at Takamatua. At a special meeting on Friday, the council resolved to introduce a rural industrial abattoir zone, after an application from Banks Peninsula Meats. Ltd. to build the works in Akaroa Road, west of State Highway 75. between Duvauchelle and Akaroa. The company, which is a co-operative of Banks Peninsula farmers, sought a specified departure from the scheme, but the council thought it better to change the scheme as it was such an extensive departure. The date for the council's town planning hearing has not been set. nor have objections been called for. The council discussed on Friday who would comprise the special committee for the hearing. All but three of the eight councillors are shareholders in the company. "There is a definite pecuniary interest by councillors which precludes them." said the County Clerk. Mr L. W. M. Graham. It was decided that the three non-shareholders. Crs D. S. Hayward. D. E. Wright, and I. G. Harris, would be on the special committee, and two district residents would be elected to join them. Mr E. A. Senner, a civil engineer with Fletcher Development and Construction.

acting on behalf of Banks Peninsula Meats, attended Friday's meeting. The' co-operative's application is for a plant to process 500 sheep and 100 beef cattle a week, with the disposal of soft inedible offal to a bio-digester-biogas recovery system. Conversion An Akaroa couple and their child, after camping on their property since August, received approval on Friday from the council to convert their woolshed into a dwelling. There were no objections to the application. Letters of support for Mr and Mrs D. S. Richardson were written by neighbours. They have owned the 15ha property, off the Kaik Road, for six years, and councillors were amazed at the amount of work they had done on the land. “If you had told anyone 10 years ago what the' block would look like now. they would not have believed it." said Cr R. K. Graw. The Richardsons wanted to live on the property as it was a full-time farming activity. Mr Richardson is an apiarist. The couple have planted two belts of fruit trees, pine trees, and at least 40 other species of exotic and native trees on the block. They have improved and built more fences, and have started rotational grazing of sheep on the property.

The council was unanimous in approving the application. "They are setting a good example for others." said the County Engineer. Mr K. Paulin. The chairman. Mr T. J. Brocherie. said that the Richardsons had established their use before they asked for building permits, which was another good example. The application was granted with two conditions: that a building permit be obtained before the work is begun, and that the appropriate standards for the house fittings are met before moving in. Pipeline The laying of pipes for the Takamatua water supply had started, and would be completed in January, said Mr Paulin. "We have had more difficulties with the headworks, which has set the plan back a little, but we will have the pipeline working by the end of January," he said. Pools by-law The council formally adopted the by-law which says that all householders will have to fence swimming pools of more than 1500 litres capacity.