Here’s a helpful update from our friends at Mahurangi East R&R Association (MERRA) ….
As you are likely aware Waste Management Ltd has now applied to Auckland Council for consent for the proposed new regional landfill at Dome Valley. In response MERRA has lodged a submission with Council – see https://scottslanding.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WMNZ-resource-consent-MERRA-submission-Final-03.05.pdf
Our submission does three things:
- it supports those who have submitted with concerns regarding potential ecological impacts from the landfill.
- it highlights what we believe are significant flaws with the application’s traffic assessment. For example, the assessment concludes that a likely 60% increase in heavy trucks through SH1 and the Dome Valley is no more than a minor impact! We challenge their assessment from a number of angles.
- it examines (and advocates for) an alternative transport option via the much under-used Auckland to Whangarei rail line that passes within 2km of the site. The benefits are argued alongside Government/Council’s own congestion, road safety and C02 emission reduction policies and plans.
You can make your own submission online in a few minutes … there is no need to expand on a simple statement of support for MERRA’s submission unless you choose to. Similarly, you don’t need to appear in person unless you choose to. Instructions are here: https://scottslanding.org/dome-valley-landfill-concerns-and-waste-by-rail/. Submissions close on 26 May.
Regards and thanks
Stuart Windross (on behalf of the MERRA Committee)
