An aerial view of Paewira’s proposed ‘footprint’ in Racecourse Rd. Photo: Supplied.
Politicians have been given both sides of the story as plans continue for a waste to energy plant in Waipā – hours after a public meeting was held to oppose it.
Presentations from Roger Wilson of Global Metal Solutions and Sue Coutts of the Zero Waste Network Aotearoa were tabled at this week’s September meeting of the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board.
The board has signalled an interest in the Te Awamutu project.
Member Sally Whitaker’s motion put to the August meeting opposing the plant was eventually amended to one resolving the board would make a submission on it.
Global Metal Solutions said the plant, which would be New Zealand’s first, would use proven, sustainable waste minimisation technologies.
The company has cited examples like Vienna’s Pfaffenau Waste Incineration Plant in Simmering. It opened in 2008 and converts 250,000 tonnes of waste into energy annually.
The plant would be built in Racecourse Road and opponents are concerned at both its impact on the environment and the fact that rubbish would be sourced from both in and outside of Waipā.
The company says the Paewira design will divert 150,000 tonnes of waste a year away from landfill, recover 80 tonnes of
recyclable material a day and convert the waste into electricity to power 15,000 homes.
The company plans to erect three buildings to house a power generator, a waste recycling plant and furnace and boiler system and an education, exhibition, cafe and staff facilities.
Opponents held a public meeting at the Te Awamutu library on Tuesday, ahead of the community board meeting.
Opponents say Paewira –which will take in rubbish, sort and recycle it, and then combust what cannot be recycled to power steam turbines – should be stopped.
The environmental groups Go Eco and Zero Waste Network Aotearoa, under the moniker “Don’t Burn Waipa”, argue the plant will be in the middle of a residential neighbourhood with schools, food, businesses and significant future residential housing immediately around it.
Waipā District Council opened public submissions earlier this month after the application sat dormant for almost a year.
