The decision to “call in” the application to build a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu has been welcomed by a lobby group opposed to it.
“We believe that calling-in the application is a good thing because a similar incinerator application in Waimate has already been called in,” Don’t Burn Waipā spokesperson Eoin Fitzpatrick said.
“If our application also goes to the [Environment] Court a consistent approach to both applications can be made. The factors that influenced the minister to call in the Waimate proposal also apply here so we are optimistic of the outcome even though we now have a different government and minister.”
Calling in an application invites a minister to refer the matter to the Environment Court and takes the decision making out of the hands of local government.
Waikato Regional Council made the decision before the turn of the year and Waipā followed suit last week.
Two committee members – Cr Dale-Maree Morgan and Bill Harris – declared a conflict of interest and took no part in the debate or vote, which also recommended any national hearing should take place in Te Awamutu.
Last September the Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury asked then Environment Minister David Parker to step in after South Island Resource Recovery Limited sought approval for a waste to energy plant near the township of Glenavy, about 23km north of Oamaru.
Fitzpatrick said the lobby group was “busy preparing for a long haul” and said it wanted to set up a group that would represent the whole community.
It may be the group would bring in lawyers and experts to support their position.
The company behind the Racecourse Rd proposal will argue that as a Māori owned company it has some iwi backing in Waipā.
The site of the proposed plant.
