5. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
What reports has he received about any discussions with Ngāi Tahu regarding the application from Ceres Environmental to establish an earthquake demolition waste dump in residential Papanui; and what was Ngāi Tahu’s response, if any?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
I have not received any reports about any discussions with Ngāi Tahu in relation to this proposal. The Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury are the decision makers in relation to any resource consents needed for the proposal. An Order in Council under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act provides for temporary storage of earthquake demolition waste, but it still requires the consent of both the city council and the regional council.
Is the Minister aware of the expected environmental impact of the site; and how appropriate is it that the proposed site is close to a school and residential properties?
Mr SPEAKERIn calling the Minister to answer, I do not want to deprive him of answering the question, but as he pointed out in his answer to the primary question, the Minister is not actually responsible for any decision with regard to where such a dump might go. However, recognising that fact, I am happy for the Minister to attempt to answer the question.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I do not have the details of the proposals. I expect the city council and the regional council would need to give consideration to issues of noise and potential dust, as well as to issues of any contamination of stormwater coming off such a site. I also expect that if any of the immediate communities, such as schools, were likely to be affected, the councils would consult those affected parties.
What involvement will there be with Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, the statutory advisory committee that has been established to advise the Environmental Protection Authority on matters relating to policy, process, and applications from a Māori perspective?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The advisory committee is for the Environmental Protection Authority. It deals only with very large, nationally significant consents. Although I do not have the detail of the specific consent before me, I would be highly surprised if it met the national significance tests of applications that go before the Environmental Protection Authority, so I would not expect it to have any role.