Community Legal & Expert Fees - Brighton Landfill Hearing
We managed to get over 280 formal submissions against the landfill – if every submitter put $75 towards costs we’d be halfway there!
Brighton, Otago
Last year the community submitted over 280 objections to the landfill. We asked for an independent commissioner panel to be appointed for the Consent Hearing – from the 16th of May those commissioners need to hear our points.
For such a formal proceeding, the absolute best bet we’ve got is to have good expert and legal representation. It’s no longer a numbers game - it’s about quality.
Our environmental consultants have already identified 12 areas of concern in the DCC’s application. Including:
- The potential for toxic chemicals such as mercury which never degrade to accumulate - for example in native eel to the point that they’re unsafe for human consumption.
- The ability of the liner to withstand a seismic event – especially given it’s close proximity to the Akatore fault-line
- Several aspects of the design do not meet best practice guidelines.
- The Landfill Management Plan is an incomplete draft. Information on ongoing management of several critical risks is completely absent.
If we do nothing, the landfill may go ahead unchecked. If we fight it, at the very least we will get an outcome with better controls that will stop chemicals leaching into our creek and beach. We Can Stop This!
Use of funds
EXPERT WITNESS - Environmental Consultants EHS-Support, hydrogeologist and chemical experts with 50+ years of landfill experience.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION - Gallaway Cook Allan Lawyers. Nationally recognized experts on the Resource Management Act.
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Latest update
Fundraising update! 8 August 2022
Hi everyone, thanks so much for the huge support to date - $24,500!! Unfortunately our legal and consultant fees ended up being significantly more than the $43,000 budgeted, at a total of $59,000. Primarily because of the extended duration of the hearing and subsequent requests for further information which required expert representation.
Thankfully we're able to pay the fees off over a period of 6 months. Therefore we will be keeping this page open over the coming months and plan on running several additional fundraising initiatives. We would appreciate any additional contributions you our loyal supporters are able to make and if you could spread the word!
Many thanks to EHS Consultants and Gallaway Cook Allan for the excellent advice they provided on the human health and environmental risks, as well as the inadequacies in the landfill design and management plan. Were it not for their expert support there never would have been a public health assessment undertaken, we simply couldn't have had such an impact on the proposed restrictions (conditions) around the operation of the landfill - such as waste acceptance criteria, liner redesign, water monitoring, fire risk management and hours of operation.
We expect in the next few weeks the Commissioners will make an announcement and will share any and all news as soon as we know. In the meantime, cross your fingers and toes, we got this!
South Coast Neighbourhood Society
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