pyrolysis plant on Taylor pass Road

Chairperson from Blenheim Residents & Ratepayers Association

BLENHEIM RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED PYROLYSIS PLANT AT BLUEGUMS LANDFILL – RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATION U180734

Introduction
There is a new resource consent application to operate a Pyrolysis Plant at Bluegums Landfill. The first application (U171035) was withdrawn due to the community’s strong opposition and submissions concerned over potential health risks
What we know about the new application
Pyrolysis Plant operation excludes treated CCA timber but not other treated timber
Diesel fired chambers which will operate 7 days/week
2000 tonnes/annum
What we don’t know or understand
Council’s position and existence of any new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the developer?
Why would Council support this when it does nothing to address the current timber vineyard post problem?
What we perceive are some of the likely issues
How to identify CCA timber and ensure that it is not processed by the plant?
What happens to the huge mountain of timber - including vast amounts of CCA treated timber vineyard posts – already at the landfill?
Over a 20 year horizon, there will be increasing deliveries of timber to the plant some which may come from out of the district
Problem identified in the application of methane gas at the landfill and potential combustion and explosion from the lighting of diesel burners every day.
Opening hours far exceed that of the landfill – who will monitor the plant employees and safeguard their safety on a Sunday?
Who is liable and will be up for prosecution over selection of CCA timber and other treated timber?
What level of monitoring is required and who will carry this out. It should not be the developer due to accountability reasons.
Noise of the diesel burners
Business case – MDC has wasted serious money on the previous application and more ratepayers money will be pumped into the new application.
Choice of technology. The proposed plant has some serious pitfalls and there are examples of other plants worldwide which treat ALL waste internally.
Fire threat and the problem of diesel emissions
How can we be reassured that a new application would not be lodged at a later date to process CCA treated timber and posts.

What do we want you to do?
MAKE A SUBMISSION ON U180734 by 20 Nov – call in at the MDC offices and request a form or download from MDC website.
Spread the word to others across Blenheim and encourage neighbours, friends, colleagues to voice their opinion.
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY FROM THE EFFECTS OF THIS PLANT
DO NOTHING AND YOU’VE NO RIGHT TO GRUMBLE!!

BRRA is always looking for volunteers to assist with campaigns or inputs to local affairs. If you would be willing to help in any way – especially this current Pyrolysis Plant opposition - contact the undersigned and we welcome your offer with open arms!!.
Whilst we’ve received several donations, our representation at any forthcoming planning hearing will involve lawyers and technical experts. This will be at a cost to the Association. If you able to make a donation – no matter how small – please again approach the two names at the bottom of this circular and we’ll make the necessary arrangements. We really appreciate any donation of any magnitude.
Thank you for your time.
Alan Hall David Turner
Chairman BRRA Chair BRRA Pyrolysis Sub- Group
03-5794066 03-5547424
027 696 6283 021 524 275