Forest dump opposed

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 6

Forest dump opposed

Christchurch City councillors are split over wether Chaneys production forest land should be available as an alternative metropolitan rubbish disposal site. On a four-to-three vote yesterday, the resource recovery committee said that no part of the 460 ha pine plantation, north of the city should . be used for either a temporary or permanent landfill site.., < • 1 ■ ■/ It had been suggested that . an independent study of the Elantation’s suitability should r e commissioned. But a parks arid recreation department report, said that Chaneys land would be “virtually worthless” for forestry in the future if it were used for dumping rubbish. “In the department’s view, a substantial reduction in the land available for (forestry purposes would seriously affect the economic viability of Chaneys as a forestry unit,” said, a staff report. Cr H. A.' Clark, said that the city would be put in. a bad position if the proposed Waimairi . Beach coastal landfill ; site were turned down .on appeal and an alternative site had not been chosen. • It had been felt ' that Chaneys could provide an interim place to dump, rubbish if a permanent site could not be opened until 1986, said Cr Kathie Lowe. The Labour: council has promised to close the Bexley tip by the’end of 1983, but other metropolitan local bodies have not made a commitment that would en-

sure the opening of an alternate landfill by that time.

Cr D. C. Close said that the staff report was “pretty convincing” regarding the value of Chaneys land for forestry. •Less productive land a similar distance from the city was already owned by local authorities, said the City Engineer (Mr P. G. Scoular) referring to the North Canterbury Catchment Board land by the Waimakariri River.