Raetihi works approved, again

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 412, 12 November 1991, Page 9

Raetihi works approved, again

The proposed meat processing plant for Raetihi came a step closer last Friday when the Ruapehu District Council voted to approve the district schemd change subject to an appeal period. The change to the district scheme plan will be finalised at the next meeting of Council on 6 December. This decision follows nearly a year of negotiations, discussions, objections, appeals and public meetings on what was originally seen as a fairly simple and straightforward scheme change which would bring much-needed employment into the Waimarino area. At a special meeting of the RDC last month to confirm its earlier decision to approve a scheme plan change, it was learnt that some cross-objections still had valid status. One of these referred to 'noise and smell' but councillors at last Friday's meeting heard that meat processing plants, as such, do not produce offensive smells ... it is only the rendering plants associated with meatworks that are responsible for 'smells'. Mayor Garrick Workman said Raetihi residents and ratepayers were already well aware of the extra costs of the

effluent disposal associated with the proposed meat processing plant. General manager Cliff Houston said next

month's meeting was tying up loose ends left behind by AFFCO's decision to withdraw its objection.