NZ Sugar Company Limited Application for resource consent # 31717

July 12 2011

NZ Sugar Company Limited (Chelsea Sugar Refinery) seeks a resource consent to continue to discharge contaminants into the air over most of Birkenhead Point at a level that could exceed environmental standards.

Question: Just because Chelsea has been doing it in the past does this mean that they should be allowed to continue for the next 35 years?

The Birkenhead Residents Association feel that at a minimum that NZ Sugar Company Limited would need to use best practice (not determined by them but by an independent expert) to mitigate polluting a residential area. The "best practice" should not be set now for the next 35 years but subject to frequent reviews to ensure to any upgrades in "best practice" are implemented.

We know that Residents living on the western slope of Birkenhead Point over looking Chelsea Sugar Refinery get discharges over their houses and need to wash this discharge off from time to time.

An extract from the RESOURCE CONSENT FOR AIR DISCHARGES document bottom of page 3:-

"The result of the assessment provided to the Council, indicates that PM10 from the site should not exceed the National Environment Standards for air quality. However the discharge of PM10 from the site plus background levels of PM10 may approach and possible exceed the National Environmental Standards for air quality in some residential areas beyond the site. This would occur if the worst case modelled effects coincided with worst case background levels of PM10. The council acknowledges that this assessment may be conservative."

Predicted exceedance of ambient PM10

Extracted from Auckland Council document: 'Notification Determination Report - Discretionary/Non Complying Activity'.

In conclusion, the reporting officer considers that there is potential for the 24 hour ambient PM10 standard to be exceeded off-site (shaded area in Figure 3 (above)) and in the area or worker cottages located in the Chelsea Estate Heritage Park.

What is PM10

Particulate matter (PM) is a collective term used to describe very small solid or liquid particles in the air, such as dust, smoke or fog. A PM10 particle is less than 10 microns in diameter, or one-fifth of the diameter of human hair.

PM10 is an air pollutant of particular concern because it is linked to harmful health effects.

PM10 is "unseen" and has real health damage potential.

 

More information and recommend reading on PM10:
Particulate matter (PM10) levels | Ministry for the Environment
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/environmental-reporting/air/air-quality/pm10/

Particulates: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulates

 

Supporting documentation on the application:

Notification Determination Report
- Discretionary/Non Complying Activity

Resource Consent for Air Discharges

 

Your feedback

What are your thoughts about this application?

The Birkenhead Residents will be making a Submission on this application and value your feedback, and encourage your input.


Full details of the application may be viewed at:
Birkenhead Library, Nell Fisher Reserve, Hinemoa St, Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, Saturday to Sunday 9.30am to 4pm.
If you have any queries about the application, phone Mike Harvey, at Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.

Making a submission:
Any person may make a submission on the application. You may do so by sending a written submission to Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, Auckland, 1142. Visit approval and submissions for information about making submissions, the submission form and online submissions.

Note that a copy of the submission must also be sent to the applicant at the address for service stated above as soon as reasonably practicable.

Submission closing date: The Auckland Council must receive your submission no later than 5pm on Tuesday, 26 July.