Fired-up Waikato locals have hit the streets on Sunday in protest at a plan to build a waste-to-energy incinerator plant near Te Awamutu schools and homes.
Global Contracting Solutions (GCS) is behind the idea - it already processes and recycles waste in Auckland, Hamilton and New Plymouth under the name Global Metal Solutions.
It wants to burn 150,000 tonnes of old tyres, plastics, industrial and household waste annually, generating enough electricity for 15,000 households.
"We are not guinea pigs, this will poison us with dioxin, pollute the air, water, land, add to climate change and cause social and economic damage. It is a ludicrous proposal," Don't Burn Waipā spokesperson Angie Barrowcliffe said.
The proposed plant would be built in Racecourse Rd, Te Awamutu, flanked by three schools and kura, homes, the racecourse, and Fonterra's factory.
It will generate 23 tonnes of ash a day, with around 2 tonnes per day captured and used for low-grade concrete and the rest sent to landfill for disposal.
Global Contracting Solutions' proposed waste-to-energy incinerator was only publicly notified last month, with next Friday October 13 the deadline to make submissions to Waipā District Council.
Many people in the community say they've only just learned of the proposal, and anger is building there hasn't been enough attempts by the company or council to engage with locals.
At least 250 locals waving signs and chanting voiced their concerns Sunday, as they marched through Te Awamutu's main street to Waipā District Council's offices.
One woman told Newshub GCS has "poked the hornet's nest" and the community will fight the proposal.
Resource consents are pending with Waikato Regional Council, relating to the discharge of contaminants into the air, the discharge of stormwater and the disposal of clean fill.
"Our role is to provide a process for all, for and against, it is not our job to educate people. That is the job of the applicant, they put ads in the paper as far back as last year but we as councils don't advocate for one side or another," Regional Councillor Stu Kneebone told Newshub.
"We just want to have the information so we can make informed decisions. We could have particles that are so fine that will come out of the stacks onto the schools, onto people's vegetable gardens and farms, we are food producers in this region - it's not okay," said Barrowcliffe.
Global Contracting Solutions project manager Adam Fletcher told Newshub the company is happy to engage with anyone who has questions.
He said of the 480 tonnes of rubbish a day processed, 80 tonnes would be recycled and the rest sent for combustion to generate steam.
"We recognise people's concerns but this is a safe, reliable efficient method of dealing with waste and recovering material which can't be recovered otherwise."
He said visits to German and Singaporean plants show it's well-proven technology and will satisfy all requirements under the Resource Management Act.
"Incineration at 1000C will destroy just about anything. We (will) have continuous monitoring, the building is fully enclosed to enclose noise and odours - it is specifically designed to look after the environment and our neighbours," Fletcher said.
He said GSC director Craig Tuhoro has whakapapa links to the area and "wants to give back by reducing what goes to landfill, employing 60 permanent staff and powering Te Awamutu" while upholding the company's responsibilities as a good corporate citizen.
Its consent application says "the proposed site for the plant is adjacent to the Mangapiko River, we confirm that we will not take water from or release waste to the river".
"Regeneration and not incineration is the message we want to get through. Incineration is a thing of the past, these things are poisoning people all over the world and scientists have proven that," said Barrowcliffe.
In 2020 Global Metal Solutions found itself before the Environment Court following noise complaints from Hamilton neighbours.
Barrowcliffe told Newshub "How can we trust them?"
"We as a people need to get our head around waste. It's a design problem. We need to be reducing it full stop, not building plants like this," she said.
Following the submission deadline next week Waipā District Council and Waikato Regional Council will appoint a panel of independent commissioners who'll decide whether or not the plant can go ahead.
The panel is unlikely to make a decision until mid-2024.
