Follow up from the public meeting tonight. Those in attendance included Malcolm Thomas and Steve Attwood, representing PCR; myself, The Selwyn District Mayor and a number of councillors were also present in the audience. Mr Thomas spoke passionately regarding his background in protecting NZs native bird population, his experience in running a pest control business aimed at that protection and his reasons for moving to Rolleston. My eyes almost welled up in sympathy for the poor kakapo on Stewart Island. But we were not there to talk about the battle for the birds, more like the Risk to Rolleston Mr Thomas indicated that he had always planned to move to the Izone since the earthquakes because his current building has suffered damage and he wanted somewhere with cheaper land where he could own the plant, his decision was made prior to any thoughts of making 1080. This was his reasoning that the original submission did not contain any information on the manufacture of 1080 bait or handling of the raw stock product. An interesting note picked up by one of those in attendance,when asked as to why he would not open the consent process to public notification, Mt Thomas admitted that his business could not financially support an extended consent process or the time taken for the public notification and decision to be resolved. Mr Thomas was pressed further, on this and he admitted that his intention was to simply transfer his current facility to the Izone, but when he went into partnership with an investor (whom we now know to be West Coast Regional Council) and it was those investors who were keen on expanding the business into manufacturing 1080 bait which meant as a result that he had committed significant finances into new equipment and machinery for this. One member of the public suggested that this was a flawed business plan. I feel sorry for Pest Control Research, they have been left to carry the public face of this factory burden and were admirable in their decision to front up tonight. If Mr Thomas had not have agreed to manufacture 1080 bait he probably would have started his new venture in relative anonymity. However, not withstanding this, the fact remains, that he will not go to public notification, nor is WCRC likely to either. Where to from here? Tonight I met a couple of locals who are prepared to meet up and plan what to do. We figure only 20% of the local community is aware of the plant and potential risks. We need to leaflet drop each home in Rolleston. We need everyone to write to Hon Minister for the Environment and to our local MP Amy Adams, advising her of our concerns. Specifically we want this process to go to public notification and allow us to make submissions.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:12:08 +0000
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