Richmond resident against L.P.G. site

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 5

Richmond resident against L.P.G. site

A Richmond resident has appealed against the Christchurch City Council’s decision to allow an L.P.G. tank to be installed next to his property. Mr A. Dane objected to the council’s decision to let a one-tonne L.P.G. storage tank be installed at a service station, Parade Garage, which adjoins his property, the Planning Tribunal heard yesterday. Rockgas, Ltd, made the application to the council in April . last year. At that time, bight objections were received. Consent was granted subject to a number of conditions.

Among others, conditions included compliance with the Dangerous Goods Regulations, the effect on the facilities of the neighbourhood, the proximity of residential zones and/or residential areas, access and egress of bulk carriers to and from the site, and the hours of movement of L.P.G. carriers through residential areas.

The council’s assistant town planner, Mr W. J. R. Preston, said that the plan submitted to the council showed that the tank would be situated behind the service station building 2.5 metres and 5.5 metres off the north and west internal boundaries respectively. The tank would be enclosed by a 2m-high security fence. The plan also proposed to erect security lighting and to install a fixed waterspray system.

He said that the site was zoned Residential 1 in both the operative and reviewed District Schemes and included in Appendix N and Appendix F respectively. These appendices recognised the service station as a predominant use on its site and one that was suitably located and satisfying a local need.

Counsel for Mr Dane, Mr G. D. Horne, questioned the City Council’s decision to allow L.P.G. to be stored at that site, in a residential area, rather than in an

industrial or commercial area.

Mr Preston said that the service station was put under Appendix F and providing a service to the community. He said that many stations which showed a high turnover were in Appendix F. The South Island sales engineer for Rockgas, Ltd, Mr R. G. Boyce, said that there was sufficient consumer interest in having L.P.G. available at the station. Installing the tank would also be supporting the Government’s promotion for alternative indigenous fuels for transport use. He expected that, initially, the L.P.G. carrier would not visit the station more than once every three weeks.

Mr Dane will give evidence today. The tribunal consisted of Judge Skelton (chairman), Mrs N. J. Johnson, and Messrs R. A. McLennan and J. F. McKenzie.

(Proceeding)