Nothing can be done to stop Whangarei livestock transport hub

Whangarei's new mayor Morris Cutforth has told South End Ave business people that nothing can be done to prevent former Mayor Stan Semenoff's plan to build a livestock transport hub in the street.
The group met Mr Cutforth and council staff recently to protest about the project, allowable under the business four zoning of that part of the street.
Mr Cutforth said he is glad the group came to see him.
Staff had subsequently written to the members to advise them of the situation, and a further more detailed reply was also being prepared.
"I feel for them, as anyone would, but it is clear after talking with staff and investigating the situation that under the district plan this development is an acceptable activity in that zone," he said.
The livestock hub would see cattle trucked in for rest and transfer to other trucks.
The zoning allows up to 200 truck movements a day, but Mr Semenoff expects there will be about 30 only.
The hub will also also include an effluent drop-off facility being set up in conjunction with the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The South End business group told Mr Cutforth they are afraid the cattle hub will threaten the safety and viability of their businesses, because of noise, smell and large numbers of heavy truck movements.
Nicki Paget, manager of national and international avocado and kiwifruit distributor Apata, in South End about 11 years, said the group became even more alarmed when Mr Semenoff said he may move the whole Semenoff Transport operation from nearby Te Wai Iti Place to South End.
"It's already challenging for big trucks to negotiate the street and we think it would be crazy to be having so many more trucks coming in," she said.
Ms Paget said Apata operated under strict hygiene and environmental rules and believed having hundreds of head of cattle just over the road could put the operation at risk.
She acknowledged the proposed cattle hub was entirely allowable, but said the business four zoning should be reconsidered if new projects were likely to be to the detriment of existing businesses.
Resource consent was obtained for the cattle hub in 2006.
Mr Semenoff, who developed the whole South End area for commercial and industrial use, was not available for comment.
Paul Dell, Whangarei District Council group manager environment, said said anyone moving into an area needed to check out the implications of the zonings.
He said the business four zoning left the council with very few matters on which it could exercise discretion with a consent. "There are plans to extend South End Ave to State Highway 1 where the land is zoned business two and at that point council would be able to add in traffic requirements but at the moment, in South End Ave, from a consenting approval aspect, nothing can be done."