Reefton

On Jan 22, 2019, Renew Energy Limited (REL) lodged a resource consent application with Buller District Council to store 132,000 one-tonne bales of waste on the edge of Reefton township. The waste was to be used to fuel a waste-to-energy plant the company is proposing for Westport.Reefton residents rallied against the proposal. The business group Reefton Inc. employed a queen’s counsel, 253 people attended a protest meeting a few weeks ago, and 500 signed a petition.Now, the QC that Reefton Inc. engaged would carry out one final act: write to the Ministry for the Environment to request a moratorium on all waste-to-energy plants and associated dumps, baling, and storage. Read More

Reefton residents are wary of the potential risks associated with a ‘mountain of rubbish’ if a Chinese waste-to-energy plant is granted consent to store bales of rubbish in the West Coast town. Renew Energy Limited filed a resource consent with Buller District Council on Jan 19, 2019, to store 132,000 one-tonne bales on the edge of Reefton. The waste will be used to fuel a waste-to-energy plant proposed for Westport. Residents are increasingly concerned about the company’s uncertain plans. They fear that the company may abandon the waste if it fails to get resource consent to build the plant. As of yet, there is no resource consent application to build the plant, but the company is proceeding with plans to store large amounts of waste regardless, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty and concern.  REL managing director David McGregor briefed the Buller District Council in November 2018, this included plans to import waste from the Pacific Islands and Australia. Read More