Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne today welcomed the release of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on the clean-up of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical site at Mapua.
“As the PCE says, this was a difficult and costly clean-up of the worst contaminated site in New Zealand. New technology was being used and the report highlights some lessons for future clean-ups.” said Mayor Kempthorne.
“I have asked staff to study the report closely, but I accept the recommendation directed to Tasman District Council. Our preliminary view is that it should not be a problem.”
The report suggests that residual mercury may be present in the residential soils west of the Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site. Mayor Kempthorne said mercury was never detected in significant concentrations in early studies of the site.
“We also think the site, including the old landfill, was investigated appropriately on the basis of advice given at the time and was certainly investigated to depths of three metres in 2002, not 0.5 metre.”
The report raises some issues about the clarity of some of the conditions of the resource consent, the role of TDC as both landowner and regulatory authority, and the Council’s approach to enforcing compliance. Mayor Kempthorne agreed with the PCE comment that with a project of this complexity it would be astonishing had there been no mistakes or errors of judgment.
“But I am of the view that Council did the best job it could. It used top quality experts throughout. The decision to grant consent was made by an independent panel, which heard and considered all the evidence. All potential conflicts of interest have been well managed. Staff did their best to ensure MfE as a consent holder complied with consent conditions to the extent that was possible and practical under the law,” said Mayor Kempthorne.
“The good news is that the site has been cleaned up and when we receive the Site Auditor report we will be able to move on. The Mapua community will have had removed from its landscape an environmental hazard and a visual eyesore, something we could not have achieved without the Government’s help.”
“The Council will continue to monitor the background environment to manage any residual issues and is looking forward to working with the community over the future use of the land.”
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