Kaiapoi smell source study

Press, 7 March 1984, Page 18

Kaiapoi smell source study

An investigation into the sources of the objectionable smells, which have plagued Kaiapoi for several months, will be sought by the Borough Council. The town planning committee agreed on Monday that the "finger of blame" could not be pointed at any one potential source of smell.

Protein Technology, Ltd, a company which processed fish and meat scraps, had,

until recently, drawn most of the blame. The council learned that the factory had not been running when many of the smells had been reported. The chairman of the committee, Cr M. O. Cleland, said that the freezing works, although not the only offender, was a main source of the smells. Liquid manure and effluent being sprayed on pastures was another possible source suggested. A letter expressing the council’s concern about the smells will be sent to the Eyre County Council as the freezing works and sprayed pastures are in the county. The County Council will be asked to investigate the possible sources of the smells.

The Mayor of Kaiapoi, Mr H. W. Cumberland, was concerned that the “kerfuffle” about the smells would denigrate Kaiapoi more than the smells themselves. Other places, including Belfast, also had problems of smell. “Sometimes it is just something you have to live with,” he said. . The committee received a list of conditions the Health Department planned to impose on Protein Technology, Ltd One condition was that no objectionable odour was to pass beyond the factory’s boundaries. Any complaint of objectionable odours would have to be supported by three sworn affidavits from people stating that the

smell was either injurious to their health or welfare or that it interfered with the enjoyment of their lives or property. The conditions will be considered by committee members and discussed at a later meeting. Library Tenders for Kaiapoi’s new library might be called in July or August, the library committee was told. Architect’s sketches of the planned library were approved in principle by the committee. The Town Clerk, Mr R. N. McCabe, said that the cost of the 398 sq. m building should fall within the budget of 1175,000. Work could begin in the 1984-85 financial year. The iron roofed building,

with concrete block walls would have a feature wall for its Raven Street frontage in a material not yet decided. Mr McCabe said that the concrete block walls would not readily be seen. A courtyard in front of the library might be paved with old bricks from the existing library after it had been demolished, said the committee chairman, Cr F. P. Wade. Cr P. I. Redmond successfully moved that a list of alternative material to concrete blocks be brought before the council. He was concerned that the library might look less attractive if concrete blocks were used just because they were cheaper than many other alternatives.