Councillors condemn dump fire hazards

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 6

Councillors condemn dump fire hazards

A fire at a private rubbish dump in McTeigues Road about two weeks ago, could have caused a tragedy; Cr A. Y. Shuker told a ,meeting of the. Paparua County Council last evening. He said he was “sick to death” of private rubbish dumps and the problems they caused. He called for council staff to watch private dumps closely .to check' that they were run within the conditions of their licences and to take urgent actioifif they were not.

Cr R. G. Pearce said he was concerned that the proprietor of the McTeigues Road dump might not be abiding by the conditions of his licence granted last year.

The fire had started in the tip, but the properties to the south-east had suffered most, he said. The Fire Service had done- an excellent job in containing the fire. Nearby residents were left uncertain about what would happen in similar dry conditions. The County Engineer (Mr J. D. Annan) said he was not sure if the fire started in the tip itself or very, close to the road. Council staff had been monitoring activities at the tip since December. The meeting called for a

staff report where the fire started' and on the management of the tip. Later in the meeting, Cr Shuker moved that the council investigate the cost of providing dumper bins in the urban parts of' the county . during summer so residents could dispose of their garden rubbish. M;O.T. office

The Minister of Transport (Mr .Gair) was criticised by Cr W. J. Baker for failing to reply to.(a council telegram. The council had objected to the shifting last week of the Ministry of Transport office from Sockburn to the new State ■ Insurance building in Riccarton.

Failing to reply to the telegram was “a damn slur on the Paparua County Council,” Cr Baker said. Mr Gair’s secretary had telephoned a member of the council staff, but “we are entitled to something better.” Airport seats ' ■. The council decided to write to the Christchurch Airport Authority to point out “the woeful lack” :of seating at the airport. Cr R. S. Mayer said he had been delayed at the airport recently because of bad weather. Many people, including elderly people, had been unable to find seats.

Water supply The meeting passed- a resolution to raise a $287,000 loan. The County Clerk (Mr B'. L. Mooar) told the meeting it was the last loan needed to complete the highpressure water supply in the urban parts of the county.

A special meeting of the council, also held last evening, passed several resolutions approving reading changes needed for the Christchurch Airport runway extension. The meeting agreed to give the Airport Authority the right to.lay water and power lines in Grays Road at the rear- of the airport fire rescue building. The new deviation road at the northern end of the airport runway, from Johns Road to Chattertons Road, would be called McLeans Island Road. A short section of Harewood Road, from the deviation to east of Pound-Road would be named Jessons Road. A rbad-from the deviation .to' the'-Isaac Wildlife Reserve. -would be named McArthurs .Road. The narnb-proposals would be advertised for’objections, said Cr Shuker. The new names would come into, use when the whole reading project had been completed.