Gasworks soil fee unchanged

Press, 1 July 1985, Page 9

Gasworks soil fee unchanged

The Metropolitan Refuse Disposal Committee has refused to reduce the charge to the Christchurch Gas Company for disposing of contaminated soil.

The company had sought a reduction in the fee for dumping contaminated soil from the old gasworks site at the Waimairi landfill.

Mr Ron Wright, chairman of the refuse committee, said that although the committee commended the com-

pany on its responsible attitude in the preparation of the material for safe disposal, it was unanimous in its decision that the commercial rate was appropriate.

The committee had taken in to account that although 90 per cent of the material was soil, it was of no value to the landfill because it was contaminated. To ensure disposal in accordance with Health Department conditions the soil had required additional attention, he said. The committee could not accept that the big amount

being dumped was a reason for reducing the charge as “the high volume of material was necessitating double-handling to a marked degree.” Mr Wright said that $l6 a tonne was the rate charged to all businesses with direct access to the Waimairi landfill, including contractors for the constituent councils. The committee believed that in fairness to all concerned the rate should not be changed.