Kaiapoi works odours thought inevitable

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 12

Kaiapoi works odours thought inevitable

The abatement of some of the offensive odours in the vicinity of Kaiapoi would mean, in effect, the closing of the NCF Kaiapoi, Ltd, freezing works, according to a report of the senior health inspector for Eyre County, Mr Ray Norris, to the council. The report arose from a complaint by the Kaiapoi borough Council about “frequent objectionable smells eminating from the southeast of Kaiapoi.” These were attributed to a new processing plant in Kaikanui Road. The smells had been noted during February and early March, but the new plant had been working since early February, said

the Kaiapoi letter, dated March 16, which asked for an investigation and comments at the earliest opportunity. During regular investigations of the protein technology plant (the new processing plant), he had become aware of other odour causes nearby, said Mr Norris, who explained various sources of smells from the NCF premises. Pig wastes had also been applied to a farm, the waste being rotary-hoed in the next day. Changes in the effluent treatment at the NCF works 10 to 12 years ago had resulted in the Kaiapoi River being cleaned up, said Mr Norris. But now the air was affected sometimes

with offensive odours, in spite of the factory wastes being treated in a plant of an advanced design and run in a responsible manner. The nuisance was detectable on still nights, winter temperature inversions, and on days of light easterly winds, said Mr Norris. To stop these odours would involve obtaining a court injunction which would effectively close the NCF works. Mr Norris suggested that as Kaiapoi Borough had raised the matter, it should be asked to advise the Eyre council as to how far it should proceed with action under the Health Act, 1956. The Eyre council decided to take this course.