A concept drawing of what the planned waste-to-energy plant in Te Awamutu could look like.
A concept drawing of what the planned waste-to-energy plant in Te Awamutu could look like.
There are less than six more weeks for people to share their views on the proposed waste-to-energy plant for Te Awamutu, which is now being considered as an issue of “national significance”.
Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds has directed a board of inquiry to decide on the resource consent application by Global Contracting Solutions Ltd to build and operate a plant at 401 Racecourse Rd.
The company first gave notice by way of an application seeking a non-notified resource consent in December 2021.
The council considered the application and sought extra information on a range of issues, including acoustics, transportation movements, impacts on local roads, water infrastructure and stormwater overflow.
In October 2022, the council released its notification decision on the resource consent application, advising public notification would be required.
The public notification caused an immediate outcry from the public and community groups and calls for the proposal to be quashed.
In October 2023, a protest was held where people gathered at Waipā District Council’s Te Awamutu HQ to make their voices heard.
Protesters took their 'Don't Burn Waipā' message to the streets and council in October, 2023. Photo / Julia McCarthy-Fox
By February this year, Waipā District Council and Waikato Regional Council asked the Environment Minister to call in the proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in Te Awamutu.
The move had strong support from the Zero Waste Network, and local group Don’t Burn Waipā, but was disappointing for the applicant.
In May the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed it was a matter of national significance and supported the two councils’ call to the minister.
In August Simmonds called in the controversial proposal and referred the matter to the board of inquiry, with the submission process now nearing its conclusion.
The proposed facility will take around 480 tonnes of refuse each day, including plastic, tyres, car bodies, commercial and industrial waste. Burning the rubbish will be used to generate steam, to be turned into electric power.
Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Nearly 900 public submissions have already been made to Waipā District Council.
These will all be considered by the board of inquiry and they do not need to be relodged. All previous requests to speak at the hearing will be taken on board. Submissions previously made to the regional council will also be automatically lodged with the board.
But anyone who wishes to make a new or further submission now has until 5pm on Wednesday, December 18 to do so and they must send it directly to the Environmental Protection Authority.
The resource consent applications for the plant were initially made to Waipā District Council and Waikato Regional Council, but the councils referred it to the Minister for the Environment.
This was due both to its significance and the huge community interest in the proposal, and so greenhouse gas emissions could be considered in the decision-making process.
In her decision to call the application in and direct to a board of inquiry, the minister agreed the proposal was of national significance, as it “has aroused widespread public concern due to its actual or likely effect on the environment”, and because the proposed technology and processes are new to New Zealand.
A board of inquiry has nine months to hold a hearing and make the final decision, independent from the minister and the Environmental Protection Authority.
The minister will select the board, which must have between three and five members and is usually chaired by either a retired High Court judge or a current, former or retired Environment Court judge.
The Don't Burn Waipā team was out in force at the Te Awamutu Craft fair on saturday to spread the message about making a submission before the December 18 deadline. Photo / Dean Taylor
The other board members are selected based on their local knowledge, understanding of the Resource Management Act 1991, knowledge of tikanga Māori and relevant expertise. In this case, the minister has directed that the board must include a person nominated by the Waikato River Authority.
The board will consider the application documents, all submissions, information provided by the Waipā District and Waikato Regional councils, expert evidence, and all views and evidence presented at the hearing.
Both councils have been asked to prepare ‘key interest reports’ about areas to be assessed further. These have been made available on the Environmental Protection Authority website.
The authority is not involved with the decision, but provides administrative support to the board, including managing the public submission process.
Waipā District Council is in the process of making its own submission, with a workshop for elected members planned for Wednesday, November 20.
Anyone wanting to make a submission can do so online at the Environmental Protection Authority’s website, epa.govt.nz/public-consultations by 5pm, Wednesday, December 18.
You can also submit by email or post – for more information and to download the relevant forms visit epa.govt.nz.
