Sect accused of running illegal rubbish dump

Cambridge residents are worried the church complex means the Exclusive Brethren are establishing a 'hub' in town. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Neighbours of a Cambridge sand quarry business have accused the Exclusive Brethren owner of running an illegal rubbish dump and composting operation at the site.

They are also worried the religious sect has built a large church opposite Cambridge High School and may be set to create a large "hub" in town, catering to hundreds of members.

The 1214sq m church is largely windowless and contains a large auditorium, foyer, toilets and a corridor.

A church trustee, Peter Etchells, said the layout was still being completed but the main auditorium would have air conditioning and lighting that meant it would not need many windows.

Exclusive Brethren member and Cambridge businessman Paul Gordon has been instrumental in expanding the Valley Sands business on the Cambridge-Te Awamutu Rd. The father of 14 has also advised the church trust on building the new church complex but said last night his business had no connection to it.

Valley Sands is applying for retrospective consents to run landfill and composting operations, which have illegally existed for some time.

The Cambridge Community Board and the Pukerimu Preservation Society oppose the applications.

Society secretary Martin Watson said the business had a "long, long history of non-compliance". The society was worried about slope stability, increased smell, airborne pathogens, and damage to water supplies.

"I have done a lot of reading on what the Exclusive Brethren are all about," Mr Watson said, "and I understand why he [Mr Gordon] does the things he does do with basic indifference. It's all to do with the culture of the Exclusive Brethren."

Council spokesman Steve Bigwood said several abatement notices had been served against Valley Sands over the past year, relating to non-compliance with consent conditions.

It appears members of Exclusive Brethren are growing impatient with the scrutiny they now find themselves under.

Yesterday a Herald photographer was chased by two members of the church for more than 23km.

After taking pictures from the roadside outside the newly built church, the female photographer was followed by two men driving a Toyota Hi-Lux vehicle.

They chased her to Hamilton, sometimes tailgating her.

But she drove directly to the police station, where the men were confronted and asked for their details.

A formal complaint was laid but it is understood the men, aged 18 and 19, will not be arrested. They will instead receive a police warning.

The men said they were members of the Exclusive Brethren church. Both had been working on the church complex, which is nearly finished.

Mr Etchells said the pair were concerned about being photographed and wanted to establish the Herald photographer's credentials.