Nick Smith31 May, 2011
Environment Minister Nick Smith today opened
a new plant in Rotorua that uses innovative
technology to break down biosolids reducing
waste going to landfill and greenhouse gas
emissions.
The opening of the thermal
oxidation pilot plant in Rotorua is part
of the ‘Waste 2 Gold’ project – a collaborative
research project involving Crown Research
Institute Scion and Rotorua District Council
that received $1 million from the 2010 round
of the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.
“Biosolids or sewage
sludge generated by sewage treatment is
a big problem for councils around the country
due to the large volume and hazardous nature
of this waste. That’s why this thermal oxidation
technology developed by Scion Research is
extremely important to help reduce organic
waste going to landfill as well as cutting
our greenhouse gas emissions,” Dr Smith
said.
“In addition to saving
money and reducing the impact on the environment,
this project could see new opportunities
created for energy generation out of methane,
as well as in biotechnology, and fertiliser
production.
“This innovative project
is a practical example of the Government’s
Bluegreen agenda of supporting initiatives
that create new enterprises that improve
the environment.”
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Budget 2011: New fresh
water clean-up fund
Nick Smith9 May, 2011
Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced
the establishment of a new contestable fund
to help councils and communities clean-up
nationally significant water bodies polluted
by poor historic management.
“We have a number of
significant rivers and lakes that require
major clean-up investments where it is beyond
the capacity of councils alone to meet the
cost. A pre-condition for the Government’s
funding support is councils having effective
rules in place to prevent ongoing pollution.
This is about the Government using both
a carrot and stick approach to improving
freshwater management,” Dr Smith said.
“This initiative brings
together a number of existing one-off clean-ups
in Waikato, Rotorua and Taupo into the Fresh
Start for Fresh Water Programme as well
as reprioritised funding in the Budget for
the new contestable clean-up fund of $7.5
million per year for 2011/12 and 2012/13.
The total investment, incorporating existing
commitments, is $26.2 million in 2011/12,
$23.7 million in 2012/13, and including
out years involves $264.8 million.
“This Fresh Start for
Fresh Water Clean-up Fund is about the Government
providing a more consistent framework for
supporting existing river and lake clean-ups
and providing new funding that enables all
regions a fair opportunity to secure Government
financial support.
“This initiative was
specifically proposed by the Land and Water
Forum’s Fresh Start for Freshwater Report
support by 58 representative water stakeholders
and endorsed at 18 public meetings throughout
New Zealand.”
The Government will
be inviting applications for the new fund
in June 2011 with an expectation of new
projects being approved by August.
