Don’t Burn Waipa
Environment minister Penny Simmonds is unable to resolve Global Contracting Solutions’ suspended resource consent application to build and operate the Paewira waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu.
Penny Simmonds
Simmonds, who called in an independent Board of Inquiry to decide the matter, was asked to step in by Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger after the Environmental Protection Authority suspended the application on August 13 for non-payment of costs – two weeks before the decision was due to be released.
The company, owned by Craig Tuhoro and Global Metal Trustee Ltd, owes the agency an undisclosed sum relating to the board of inquiry established by the minister to hear the application.
The applicant has owed Waipā District Council $40,665 in resource consent processing fees since April 2024, and Waikato Regional Council an additional $63,297.
The EPA received 2173 submissions on the application and 64 per cent cited concerns about pollutant like dioxins and nano particles.
“While I appreciate your frustration, at this stage of the process, I am unable to withdraw or comment on the application, including the period while it is suspended for outstanding costs,” Simmonds told to Eoin Fitzpatrick of pressure group Don’t Burn Waipā last week.
Simmonds told The News, she had asked officials to keep her informed on progress, including how long the suspension is likely to continue and what steps are being taken to resolve it,” Simmonds said.
“I expect the EPA to remain in active contact with the applicant to ensure the outstanding costs are paid promptly, so that the process can move forward.
Kuriger said she was working with the minister’s office to explore what legal avenues could be explored to resolve the situation.
“Sometimes we have ridiculous rules,” she said.
The Environment Protection Agency is also refusing to comment further, citing commercial sensitivity.
The applicant has not commented on the situation since the suspension, when rising costs were blamed for non-payment.
However, in a video posted online by Johnstone Media on August 26 Tuhoro, described the Board of Inquiry hearing as politically charged.
“I am struggling to understand why it’s a political issue and why we have so much activism around it.
“This isn’t a revenue contract, this is a cost project which has been quite damaging for me and my family, but we believe in the environment, we believe this is the right thing to do.”
Lobby group Don’t Burn Waipā – this photo comes from our files – was telling supporters about the Paewira application being suspended – while the EPA was telling The News to call back the next day.
