Latest news with #WCRC
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
'It stinks' - Weary Grey District locals gear up for another round in dump fight
Mayor Tania Gibson, with Adrian van Dorp, is worried about the district's water supply. Photo: LDR/Lois Williams The Grey District Council will need to spend at least $60,000 to make its case against the latest resource consent application by the Taylorville Resource Park . Mayor Tania Gibson says the council will not give up the fight against what it sees as a future threat to its $20-million water supply from the private landfill. TRP Ltd has applied to the Regional Council for consent to discharge contaminated water - a mix of stormwater and landfill leachate - from a retention pond to land, and groundwater outside the dump site. The discharge site sits above a water supply intake, which supplies drinking water to Greymouth. The application is being processed on a limited notification basis, and only the GDC, Te Runanga o NgatiWaewae and two neighbours of the landfill are considered affected parties with the right to formally oppose or support it. One of those neighbours is WCRC chair, Peter Haddock. "Tonkin and Taylor have given us an estimate for the work the council will have to do for our submission, and we'll need to present at the hearing , then our lawyers are involved, that's why we've said $60,000 and it could be more." That was a cost to the community that ratepayers could ill-afford, Gibson said. "No-one's coming to save us but ourselves. But it's just diabolical to have to fight this when we don't want them discharging to water and land above our water treatment plant. " The mayor met with Taylorville residents on Tuesday, to tell them what the council was planning to do, she said. "They are pretty devastated and upset. But we have to fight this with facts, not emotion. We are going to go in with as much specific technical information as we can and we will need to engage someone with that knowledge. " The GDC's independent water testing had shown contaminant levels rising in the road drains and groundwater near the dump, Gibson said. TRP Ltd is about to apply for a more comprehensive resource consent , for a Class 2 landfill, which would allow it to expand and take a wider range of waste materials as of right and has asked for that application to be publicly notified. It had applied for the current consent as an interim measure last September but the council was only now getting around to processing it, a company spokesperson said. For residents living near the dump, the prospect of fighting the major Class 2 consent is daunting. Adrian and Christine Van Dorp, who can see the operation from a bank on their lifestyle block, are considered affected parties. "We've been sent three hundred pages of stuff to wade through to make a submission and I can't see how we're going to stop this, but we can at least try to stop them expanding." The application states that any effects on groundwater will be less than minor and it would be impossible for contaminants to find their way into the Grey River. But the Van Dorps say it's beyond belief that the dump was ever consented in the first place. Adrian Van Dorp neighbours the Taylorville Resource Park, a private landfill, which has applied to the regional council for consent to discharge contaminated water. Photo: LDR When former Regional Council Andrew Robb subdivided his adjoining farmland five years ago, neighbours were given no warning that the land would become a landfill, Adrian Van Dorp said. The current Regional Council chair, Peter Haddock also owns undeveloped land next to the landfill and is considered an affected party. "We're all interested to see what he submits," Adrian Van Dorp said. "There are 28 of us living around here and the damn thing is a blight on the neighbourhood. It's affected property values and it literally stinks. "When the winds blowing one way we get it - and the smell makes you feel sick. When it blows the other way our neighbours across the terrace get it. " Haddock was asked for his views and told LDR the submission period on the short-term consent had been extended and he was considering the available information. The company in its application submits that any discharges would have less than minor effects on waterways. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Councillor springs to defence of Trump
If Donald Trump ever found himself on the West Coast, he could count on at least one fan to roll out the regional council welcome mat. Goldmining councillor Allan Birchfield sprang to the defence of the US President at this month's corporate services meeting, after the council's treasury adviser critiqued Mr Trump's tariff policies and their chaotic impact on financial markets. Bancorp corporate manager Miles O'Connor was presenting the firm's quarterly report on the West Coast Regional Council's (WCRC) $14-million investment fund, and the global trends likely to affect interest rates — all backed up with graphs, facts and figures. The US was moving away from acting in the world's interest towards an America-centric approach, he noted. Traditionally 60% of the world's capital had gone to the US because it was seen as a safe haven in uncertain times, Mr O'Connor said. Predicting profits and interest rates had become so difficult that some banks and major companies had given up forecasting completely, Mr O'Connor said. The US president had also challenged the independence of the Federal Reserve by calling on its governor to cut interest rates. "Now that's just not done normally by political leaders. You don't see our Reserve Bank being told by the prime minister you must drop rates. It's inherent in monetary policy that the central bank is independent of political influence." Mr Trump had since reduced the 145% tarrifs on Chinese goods to 30%, and the markets had settled down somewhat, but some tariffs would be permanent and New Zealand exports would be affected, Mr O'Connor said. "My view is (Mr Trump) probably won't go back to what he was doing; he probably didn't expect the reaction he got." Two Trump policies that did make sense were US defence spending and ending "unfettered" immigration, Mr O'Connor said. "I'm not totally opposed to what he (Mr Trump) does — some of the other policies I am slightly dubious about." Cr Birchfield — whose goldmine office sports a large photo of Mr Trump, seized his opening. "I'm pleased you're starting to give Donald a bit of credit ... you go on with the usual rhetoric, anti-Donald Trump. "You say the US only does stuff in its own interest — you need to think about the US Navy — it guarantees freedom of trade — even for China [and] it's a huge cost on the US taxpayer." Mr O'Connor agreed the US does protect world trade. "But [the tariffs] are having an effect on our exports — we know that from some of our clients who've had orders cancelled." Mr Birchfield continued, saying Trump has got huge problem of debt and a trade imbalance with China. Mr O'Connor said the reason for the trade imbalance was that the US just could not match China's manufacturing capabilities. Council chairman Peter Haddock put an end to the exchange, saying "we've had a shot across the bows by the US". "We have to recognise the volatility in the world ... the best we can get out of it is lower interest rates." ■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Trump tariffs critique sparks councillor to jump to US President's defence
West Coast Regional Councillor Allan Birchfield expressed his support for the United States and President Donald Trump in a recent meeting. Photo: LDR If Donald Trump ever found himself on the West Coast, he could count on at least one fan to roll out the regional council welcome mat. Goldmining councillor Allan Birchfield sprang to the defence of the US President at this month's corporate services meeting, after the council's treasury advisor critiqued Trump's tariff policies and their chaotic impact on financial markets. Bancorp corporate manager Miles O'Connor was presenting the firm's quarterly report on the West Coast Regional Council's (WCRC) $14 million investment fund, and the global trends likely to affect interest rates - all backed up with graphs, facts and figures. The US was moving away from acting in the world's interest towards an America-centric approach, he noted. Traditionally 60 percent of the world's capital had gone to the US because it was seen as a safe haven in uncertain times, O'Connor said. But the volatility in the equity and bond markets that followed Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs had not been seen since the stock market crash of 1987, and had caused a flight of capital out of the US and into European, Asian, and Japanese markets. Predicting profits and interest rates had become so difficult that some banks and major companies had given up forecasting completely, O'Connor said. The US president had also challenged the independence of the Federal Reserve by calling on its governor to cut interest rates. "Now that's just not done normally by political leaders. You don't see our Reserve Bank being told by the Prime Minister you must drop rates. "It's inherent in monetary policy that the central bank is independent of political influence." Trump had since reduced the 145 percent on Chinese goods to 30 percent, and the markets had settled down somewhat, but some tariffs would be permanent and New Zealand exports would be affected, O'Connor said. A recent Federal Reserve survey showed the tariffs were not working as hoped in the US domestic market: businesses were passing on price hikes to customers which was inflationary and hardly any overseas companies were relocating to the US. "My view is (Trump) probably won't go back to what he was doing; he probably didn't expect the reaction he got." Two Trump policies that did make sense were US defence spending and ending "unfettered" immigration, O'Connor said. "I'm not totally opposed to what he (Trump) does - some of the other policies I am slightly dubious about." US President Donald Trump threatened China with a 145 percent trade tariff before reducing it to 30 percent. Photo: ALON SKUY / AFP Councillor Birchfield, whose goldmine office sports a large photo of Trump, seized his opening. "I'm pleased you're starting to give Donald a bit of credit - you go on with the usual rhetoric, anti-Donald Trump. "You say the US only does stuff in its own interest - you need to think about the US Navy - it guarantees freedom of trade - even for China [and] it's a huge cost on the US taxpayer." The US had recently "sorted out" the (Yemen rebel group) Houthis who had been disrupting world trade, Birchfield said. "Nobody else is gonna do that so you do need to start recognising the value of the US. And I see you saying it could impact New Zealand exports. "You don't really know. Lift your game," Birchfield instructed the Bancorp manager. O'Connor agreed the US did protect world trade. "But [the tariffs] are having an effect on our exports - we know that from some of our clients who've had orders cancelled." Birchfield continued, saying Trump had a huge problem of debt and a trade imbalance with China. "There's gonna be a bit of a shake down but at the end of the day he had to sort that out." O'Connor said the reason for the trade imbalance was that the US just could not match China's manufacturing capabilities. Council chairperson Peter Haddock put an end to the exchange, saying "We've had a shot across the bows by the US". "We have to recognise the volatility in the world... the best we can get out of it is lower interest rates." O'Connor said the official cash rate was likely to drop to three percent this year or possibly lower by November. The council had longer term cover in place for its investments and would not need to make any changes until next year, he said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
West Coast Council Boss Defends Use Of North Island Consultants
West Coast Regional Council boss Darryl Lew is defending the council's use of consultancy firms for resource consents, while also hitting back at criticisms made from Cr Allan Birchfield. Mr Birchfield - a Greymouth goldminer and former regional council chair - claimed that the council's Consents and Compliance team has grown from four in his day to thirteen, yet the council is still using North Island consultancy firms. Consultants were delaying and declining gold mining water consents and asking 'stupid' questions because they were unfamiliar with the industry and the West Coast, Mr Birchfield claimed. But Mr Lew says the WCRC employs seven full-time compliance or consents officers, and stands by the integrity of its resource consent process, and the professionalism of its staff and contracted consultants. "The most recent quarterly report to Council presented yesterday shows all 27 resource consents issued during that quarter were processed within the statutory timeframe permitted.' The council employed consultancies at times to help with resource consent work, especially when there was an increased workload or reduced in-house capacity, Mr Lew said. That was the case at the moment, with several notified applications on the books, including the Mananui Mineral Sands Mining consent. "When consents officers are managing multiple large-scale applications progressing to hearings, they require extensive assessment and often occupy most of an officer's workload.' Mr Birchfield claimed this week that Wellington consultants had asked questions, that a competent local consents officer would not have asked. Mr Lew said the consulting firms all had to follow the same statutory process under the RMA, and a consent authority had to have enough information to make a fully informed decision. 'Consultants are expected, as are council consents officers, to seek further information where needed, including site visits, local mapping, or input from regional staff to ensure the specific context of an application is understood.' The costs fell on the person applying for the consent, whether the work was done in house or by a consultant. The council had an open-door for applicants and the agents submitting applications on their behalf, and was happy to speak to them directly, Mr Lew said. 'This includes offering pre-application meetings, phone or email guidance, and support during the processing stage wherever possible.' Cr Birchfield also claimed that council compliance staff had been taking police escorts on site visits recently and turning up without notice after heavy rain had muddied creeks. But Mr Lew said council staff had not taken police escorts to inspect mines. "Under the RMA, staff members have the right to go on site with or without prior notice and the council is responsible for the health and safety of its staff on site visits.' It was a requirement of resource consents for mining operations to control water during rainfall events, he said. -LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Goldminer Councillor Challenges Council Over ‘Stupid Questions'
The use of North Island consultants to process West Coast gold-mining consents has come under attack at a West Coast Regional Council meeting. Councillor Allan Birchfield, a goldminer himself, said he was hearing complaints from other miners that their applications were being held up or declined by consultants in Wellington. Miners with permits for alluvial sites need West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) resource consents as well, for the water they use. Cr Birchfield told the council meeting on Tuesday that consultants were delaying and over-complicating the consent process. 'They don't know the area … they're coming back with stupid questions, like the size of the water pumps – it needs to be brought back in house, it's out of control," Councillor Birchfield said. Alluvial goldmining had been going on for 40 years on the West Coast, and the effects were well known, he said. 'You are wanting to reinvent the wheel. You should have a very standard application and conditions.. a very simple form.' The council's regulatory manager Jo Field said the council was using consultants to process consents for several reasons, including the need to up-skill new staff and applicants on what was expected of them. One staff member had been away overseas, and it was standard practice for councils to use consultants at peak times, to process consents, she said. 'We have made a conscious decision to defer or decline consents with incomplete information ... upfront. We are trying to become a modern regulatory organisation and …this is part of that, being really clear upfront about what information is required.' The council had been in the process of updating its forms, in consultation with Poutini Ngai Tahu, Ms Field said. 'We actually invited a number of consultants to come and hear about our new approach and forms and they chose not to attend.' Local Democracy Reporting understands the consultants Ms Field was referring to in this case are West Coast agents who submit consent applications on behalf of miners. Mr Birchfield said when he had begun with the council one experienced person had dealt with all the consent and compliance issues. 'It was so simple then. I think we've gone backwards – we've got all these people making it too complicated. It's got to go back to that – simple, competent and effective.' But Cr Chris Coll said the old Catchment Board days were prior to the Resource Management Act. 'I think it behoves the miners … to move with the times and try and upskill themselves too.' A joint process between the miners and the council was needed, similar to the recent successful workshop the council held with miners in the Waimea catchment, Cr Coll said, Ngati Waewae representative Francois Tumahai said a good starting place would be to agree on a joint set of conditions for alluvial gold mining. 'Allan's made some good points, but also I agree we've come a long ways since those days and we actually have to change the way we think and operate. But I'm sure we can keep to a middle ground by making it more stream-lined.' WCRC chief executive Darryl Lew agreed. 'We need to find a collaborative way through here, and we can do that. There are three parties, the council, there's Poutini Ngai Tahu and there's the miners and we need to get into a workshop like we did the other week which was highly successful.' The consultants acting for the miners who had declined to come to a workshop were also part of the picture, Mr Lew said.
