Council stands strong against waste-to-energy plant proposal
Te Awamutu should not become the waste hub of the Waikato. That’s the bottom line of Waipā District Council’s opposition to the waste-to-energy plant that’s proposed for the thriving rural heartland centre.
The Council has lodged a submission to the Board of Inquiry which will decide on the proposal next year.
"Te Awamutu is not just a town – it’s a growing community with deep cultural and historical roots. The last thing the 14,000 people who live, work, and play here need is an incineration plant on their doorstep," said Mayor Susan O’Regan.
The proposal, from Global Contracting Solutions Ltd, seeks to build a 24/7 facility on Racecourse Road that would take around 480 tonnes of refuse daily, including plastics, tyres, car bodies, and industrial waste. The plant would then burn the waste to produce steam and generate electricity.
Among the Council’s issues with the proposed plant is the impact it would have on nearby schools, early childhood centres and sportsgrounds. It is adjacent to residentially-zoned land, which will be home to around 2000 people, and will bring a near constant stream of heavy traffic to Racecourse Road.
"Te Awamutu is the heart of our farming economy, surrounded by vital agricultural and horticultural businesses. A heavy industrial waste incinerator next door could threaten their reputation when it comes to food safety, and that’s something we cannot allow,” O’Regan said.
"It’s our responsibility to ensure Te Awamutu is a place people can thrive. This proposal is a direct contravention of those responsibilities. Our residents, children and our future generations deserve to grow up in a community that is clean, safe, and economically strong - not in the shadow of an industrial waste incinerator.
“This plant will have far-reaching consequences, not just for local families, but for the future of the town itself.
“If the proposed development is approved, Te Awamutu would be immediately re-characterised as a place where waste is sent to be burnt.
"Te Awamutu has always been about a thriving economy based on the land, community, and sustainability. We have an obligation to protect it. "
Te Awamutu is rich in cultural and historical significance, she said. The area, once home to the great forest Te Nehenehenui, is of great importance to local Māori with the nearby Mangapiko Stream, a tributary of the Waipā River, prized for providing food and travel. Nearby is the site of the Battle of Ōrākau, where Rewi Maniapoto led Māori defenders against British troops.
“Waipā is steeped in Māori history, and it’s crucial that we honour this legacy," O’Regan said. "A heavy industrial facility like this is not just a poor fit - it disrespects the town’s heritage and values."
The Council is concerned over the lack of clear guidelines for the development of waste-to-energy plants in New Zealand. O’Regan stressed the need for further research. "We must be cautious. There is a lack of national standards for this technology and burning waste - especially plastics - produces harmful emissions. We need to fully understand the potential risks before we make such a significant decision."
She also questioned the long-term environmental effects. "This proposal does not align with New Zealand’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," O’Regan said. "Rather than supporting a circular economy, it perpetuates the need for ever-increasing waste."
Resource consent applications for the plant were initially made to Waipā District Council and Waikato Regional Council, but the councils referred it to the Minister for the Environment, Penny Simmonds, who directed it to a Board of Inquiry as a proposal of national significance. This means the councils no longer have a regulatory role to play in the decision-making process.
Submissions to the Board of Inquiry closed yesterday (18 December). The Board has until August next year to consider all submissions, hold a hearing and make its final decision.
Judge Bryan Dwyer of the Environment Court has been appointed chair of the board. Joining him are experienced air quality specialist Myles McCauley, and accredited Resource Management Act hearings commissioner Nicholas Manukau (Waikato-Tainui), who has a background in fisheries management and aquaculture.
You can read Waipā District Council's submission here.
