Nick Smith7 December,
2010 - Minister for the Environment Nick
Smith today released a report that shows
dioxin levels in the soil surrounding the
former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company
site in Mapua are lower than nationally
and internationally recommended levels.
“This report should
provide the local community with reassurance
that the soils around the site have not
been contaminated and are fit for purpose,”
Dr Smith said.
“The levels of dioxin
at Mapua were at least 50 times less than
the values for rural residential locations
in the Government’s proposed national environment
standard for contaminated soils, consulted
on earlier this year. Furthermore they are
well below other international standards
for dioxin.”
In August 2007, the
Ministry for the Environment completed the
cleanup of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical
Company site. As with any earthworks project,
and despite the dust mitigation measures
undertaken, there were discharges of dust
from the site.
Some local residents
have been concerned that dust contaminated
with dioxin may have settled on their properties.
To reassure residents the Ministry commissioned
an independent investigation into dioxin
concentrations in residential soils around
the site.
“The results of 10 soil samples taken show
the concentration of dioxins were similar
to those found in other similar locations
within New Zealand,” Dr Smith said.
“This further report
shows the Mapua community can begin to put
the pollution problems at the former Fruitgrowers
Chemical Company site behind it.”
+ More
Hurunui WCO withdrawal
signal of collaborative approach
Nick Smith20 December,
2010 - The withdrawal of the application
for a water conservation order on the Hurunui
River by applicants Fish and Game and Whitewater
New Zealand is a positive signal of a more
collaborative approach to water management
in North Canterbury, Environment Minister
Nick Smith says.
“We were set on a very
litigious path involving three conflicting
processes for a water conservation order,
the major Hurunui irrigation project, as
well as the decisions on Environment Canterbury’s
Natural Resources Plan,” Dr Smith said.
“The only winners in these separate processes
being fought out in the courts were going
to be the lawyers.
“I welcome this decision
as an act of good faith by Fish and Game
and Whitewater New Zealand as a commitment
to the collaborative process under the new
Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
“Credit must also be
given to the Environment Canterbury Commissioners,
particularly Professor Peter Skelton, who
have done an outstanding job in building
a new culture of co-operation over water
issues in Canterbury.
“The decision needs
to be seen in the context of the two moratoria
put in place by Environment Canterbury’s
commissioners and supported by the Government
on both the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers to
halt new water take applications. The WCO
withdrawal and moratorium provides a window
of opportunity for a fresh approach.
"This decision
is a significant and positive step forward
in the debate over the sustainable development
of Canterbury’s freshwater resources. The
answer is not going to lie in pure conservation
nor in unrestrained development but in a
balanced approach that will be best found
by parties working together.”
