Environment – Why I say ‘No’

I am optimistic about the support we have opposing Waste Management’s plans to develop a new landfill south of Wellsford, but also astounded by the opinion voiced by some that, “It’s a done deal, why try stopping it?” I say, don’t give up your democratic rights so easily, people!

I joined the group when Dave Sawyer set it up just after the first public announcement in late September, because at Tapora School where I teach, we work with IKHMG (the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group), to encourage our students to be active citizens who protect their environment. Through the Trees for Survival programme, we have raised and planted thousands of trees on farm, council and community land, in order to help stop sediment entering the Kaipara Harbour.

As a local, I am aware of the waterways within the proposed landfill site that lead to the Hoteo River, and the extensive flooding that regularly happens in the valley below, so it was clear to me that this landfill posed a significant threat to the Kaipara Harbour. I thought, “How can a responsible company think the Springhill/Matariki Forest location is suitable for a landfill?” It angered me that one commercial enterprise could undermine all the wonderful work around the harbour that our children and groups like IKHMG are doing, with potentially devastating effects on marine life.

So, I spent many hours carefully reading Waste Management’s proposal. I, along with many others, believe much of this is PR-spin. It seemed obvious to me, based on my research and discussions, that all the facts were not being presented, and in some cases the information was misleading.

I was also shocked to learn of the gaps in the Resource Consent process. One example is that Council cannot act on any misleading information that an applicant communicates to affected parties before they lodge a consent application, even if it convinces those parties to not oppose. The advice from Council was to take my concerns to Waste Management (I and others already had done this, and the information had not been altered) or take them to court. So, a teacher on just over $50k a year should take a multi-billion dollar Chinese Government-backed company to court? Something is very wrong with this picture! I believe people power will stop this, so please exercise your right to oppose the proposed landfill by joining with us. We are determined to fight this landfill in order to protect our environment, the Hoteo River and Kaipara Harbour for future generations.

Please join our ‘Fight the Tip, Save the Dome’ Facebook group or page, or email fightthetip.nz@gmail.com and ask to be added to our community mailing list.

By Michelle Carmichael
Administrator, ‘Fight the Tip, Save the Dome’