Factory build risks runoff into Manukau Harbour

They wish to build a 53,000sq m facility in Mangere, which will comprise a factory, foam plant, manufacturing base, warehouse storage, staff amenities, trade showroom and office spaces.

A commercial property company has applied for consent to build a bed and foam factory in South Auckland which will require runoff to potentially be discharged into the Manukau Harbour and the storage of hazardous substances exceeding acceptable limits.

Envivo planning consultant John Yan submitted the consent application to Auckland Council on behalf of Ambury Properties.

They wish to build a 53,000sq m facility at 72 Tidal Rd in Mangere, which will comprise a factory, foam plant, manufacturing base, warehouse storage, staff amenities, trade showroom and office spaces.

The manufacturing facility will make beds and foam for New Zealand Comfort Group, which includes the Sleepmaker and Sleepyhead brands.

The applicants were forced to seek consent from Auckland Council as the proposed facility will be in breach of a number of aspects of the Auckland Unitary Plan.

The proposed facility would also send discharge into the air in the form of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) - a chemical compound which can be hazardous - and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).

The consent application was lodged on December 22 last year, and was then relodged after Auckland Council asked for additional information on February 2 this year.

In addition to the storage and use of hazardous substances exceeding allowable thresholds, the facility will also have stormwater discharge and infringe the permitted maximum vehicle crossing width for an industrial zone.

An independent report into the hazardous substances that will be used at the facility was prepared by Tonkin and Taylor, and is publically available as part of the consent notification.

It concluded that there were six "credible major accident events associated with the proposed foam and bed manufacturing plant".

"Three of the events specifically relate to potential effects on human health from the accidental release of TDI or MDI associated with the delivery, storage and use of these materials at the site.

"Three of the events are associated with a fire at the plant and the consequent effects of releases to air of smoke, decomposition products and possible discharge of contaminated fire water to the Manukau Harbour.

"The risk associated with each of the credible major accident events identified was assessed as being low."

The report found that the risks could be mitigated through effective site design and operational procedures.

Submissions on the application can be made by anyone, and close on August 18.

An Auckland Council spokeswoman said once the submissions close the process may go to a hearing.

The Herald has contacted an owner of Ambury Properties and New Zealand Comfort Group for comment. Yan did not respond to a request for comment.