It is a rarity to see common sense to the fore, so it was refreshing to report yesterday that an independent panel had rejected an application by Open Country Dairy to deposit wastewater into the Whanganui River.
One doesn't have to go back too far to a time when the state of our river was a source of embarrassment and shame.
It has come at considerable expense and effort from many sectors of the community to restore the water to the point where recreational users can feel comfortable and aquatic life has returned. It would have been a backward step for Horizons to allow the dairy processing plant to pipe up to 900 cubic metres a day of condensate of whey water into the river as requested.
Quite apart from the environmental impact, had the panel ruled in favour of Open Country, it would have been a slap in the face to ratepayers who have funded the city's own $120 million wastewater separation. Open Country Dairy has been reluctant to comment on the issue, and has 15 days to appeal.
With a viable alternative in the district council's own trade waste system, it hardly seems necessary to proceed down this path. The river is our most recognisable feature and a true asset; why would we jeopardise that? There are other ways to support business growth that don't compromise the integrity of something we all hold dear.
