More recently, Tonkin and Taylor carried out a second peer review to see whether conditions had remained the same or had they changed.
They came back in late March with a series of recommendations.
"We recommend a separation distance of 600 metres from the active composting area on the Te Mata Mushroom Complex and 500 metres from other operational areas."
The Government is aware of these recommendations. Why haven't those that need to know been informed?
Effectively, this is the establishment of a Brookfield Odour Buffer zone, inside of which no further residential development should occur and, if it does occur, then a series of "no complaints" covenants should be placed on the titles.
The Hastings District Council has removed the consents that originally allowed for residential development on the mushroom farm side of Arataki Rd and the buffer zone recommendations will apply to all further developments.
Where does this leave the Arataki motor camp site all, of which sits within the odour buffer zone? The final decision is in the hands of the Government and the Ministry of Education.
Personally, when one considers the Government's new health and safety regulations and the environmental impact, I would consider it completely irresponsible of the Ministry of Education to build any school on that site until the buffer zone is lifted.
The sensitivity around children and the density associated with a school is far greater than that of a residential development.
I feel extremely sorry for those who are waiting in anticipation of moving into a new school on that site. I think that an effective government department, Minister of Education, or Craig Foss our local Member of Parliament would have communicated the problem that has arisen to all parties within the timeframe they have had. I am surprised it needed to be released by those who are campaigning for a new primary school for Havelock North. The Ministry of Education now has a real dilemma on its hands.
1) Do they carry on and build, as they have already contracted a project manager?
2) Where do they now relocate TKK Takitimu? I hope that this time around they actually ask them where they would prefer to be located.
3) Where do they build a new local primary school in Havelock North? It was needed back in 2010 and it has now reached crisis point.
At least now, through regulations outlined in the Education Act, the Ministry of Education will need to consult with the local communities involved and hopefully everyone will get the outcome they deserve.
What a pity it came down to this to finally get some common sense around the issue?
- Malcolm Dixon is a Hastings district councillor and New School for Havelock North spokesman.
- Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz.
