The Star: February 29, 2024

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The Star Thursday February 29 2024 4 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Delegation kept out of Ecogas facility in $11k mission; trip still worthy • By Sasha Watson THE CITY council spent $11,000 for a fact-finding mission to two North Island organics facilities – but those on the trip couldn’t look inside the key one, or take photos. The trip was to see firsthand what Ecogas’ new South Hornby plant, which will replace the controversial Bromley open-air organics composting site, could look like and how it would operate. It came after concerns from South Hornby residents they were inheriting the smelly Bromley problem. The group of 16 on the trip was made up of Hornby, Templeton and Prebbleton residents’ association representatives, city councillors, community board members and senior city council managers. The group returned saying there would be no issues with smell. But The Star can reveal those on the trip were told by the city council before they left they would not be able to go inside the processing plant at Reporoa, near Rotorua. They were able to look inside Ecogas’ sorting and consolidating plant at Papakura in Auckland. Instead, the group viewed live camera feeds from outside the Reporoa facility. Greater Hornby Residents’ Association member Marc Duff said he was not concerned. “Ecogas has spent a lot of money on its new Marc Duff technology so I understand why we weren’t allowed was due to commercial sensitivity. I don’t think there is anything underhand going on,” he said. City council resource recovery manager Alec McNeil, who was on the trip, said the council was aware of the request not to take photos and that the group would not be able to go inside Reporoa facility before organising the trip. “The two North Island Ecogas sites we visited are privately-owned commercial facilities and any images Alec McNeil showing operations are carefully managed by Ecogas. Safety is a LOOK ALIKE: The new South Hornby site will operate the same as Ecogas’ Reporoa organics processing facility, near Rotorua. PHOTO: ECOGAS priority, so visitors were allowed to take photos/videos in areas where it was appropriate and safe to do so. “The only restricted access was inside the reception hall. The council delegation was able to observe the site layout, traffic movements, bio scrubber (which cleans the air), the anaerobic digestion tanks, pasteuriser and infrastructure for gas capture and utilisation.” GHRA chair Derek Phelps said green waste and processed waste was contained in tanks on the plant sites. When the doors were open at the Reporoa site, there were a few odours, Phelps said. “But, once we were outside the boundary, there were fewer smells and a few hundred metres away, there was absolutely nothing.” Duff said they spoke to businesses and residents near the Reporoa facility. “We spoke to nearby businesses and residents who confirmed they had similar worries about the odour which have not come to fruition,” he said. Halswell Community Board member Debbie Mora said she has a much better understanding of Ecogas’ operations because of the trip. The GRHA held a meeting on Sunday to give residents feedback on the trip, where a new issue emerged – traffic. Said Duff: “It’s really time to have a look at the whole Hornby roading system. It’s been a build up slowly since the earthquake as we’ve seen more people move into the area, and more heavy transport.” Introducing the Sapphire Collection Sapphire Collection 30 % OFF We have searched the world to bring you this international Sapphire Collection consisting of nine amazing curtain fabric ranges. This collection brings you extra warranties as well as the latest colours and styles. These ranges are in stock in our own factory which means we can custom-make your curtains in a quicker timeframe and with bulk-buying discounts, we pass the savings on to you our valued customer. Visit our showroom or we can come to you with our mobile service Find out why we have such happy customers Free Measure & Quote The home of CurTains, blinds, shuTTers & ouTdoor awnings 99 Sawyers Arms Rd, Papanui Phone. 365 4666 www.venluree.co.nz Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm On time, friendly, professional We get the job done. Plumbing | Electrical | Gasfitting | Drainlaying Book your job or free quote today 24/7 Ph 0800 30 35 30 foleys.co.nz SERVICE 17 th March 2024 Entries on sale from: or online: www.city2surf.co.nz
Thursday February 29 2024 The Star • By Chris Barclay CAPTAIN JAMES Cook’s statue in Victoria Square will bear the marks of a costly Valentine’s Day vandalism attack for at least another three months. Although his nose was swiftly repaired after a grinder was used to deface the statue of the English explorer, the red cross smeared on his front is not such a straightforward fix as city council-funded restoration worth up to $25,000 continues. The paint has faded but it is harder to eradicate from marble than the granite base, which was also targeted with anti-colonial slogans on February 14, the anniversary of Cook’s death in Hawaii in 1779. A CCTV camera positioned behind Cook did not reveal any images of the attack because it only covers the vicinity of the statue. Re-angling the camera may feature in a revamp of security. The work of a heritage conservator and the weather will now be relied upon to bring Cook back to his original state after the third incident coinciding with the anniversary following 2019 and 2022. “On heritage advice and previous experience, now the binder (resin) has been removed from the red paint, these pigments will continue to fade over the next three months,” said city council acting head of parks, Rupert Bool. “The process is designed to cause the least amount of damage to the statue.” Waipapa Papanui-Innes- Central Community Board member John Miller called for a guard to be on site for next year’s anniversary as a deterrent for another attack. Bool would not comment on that likelihood, but said additional security measures were being considered. The repair bill for the damage is expected to cost between $15,000 to $25,000, a figure covering security, scaffolding, staff labour, materials and remedial work undertaken by the conservator. • The Christchurch incident comes after the toppling of another Cook statue outside the Cook’s Cottage historic site in Melbourne on Monday – the third such attack on a Cook memorial in the city this year. Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Three-month wait for defaced statue to return to former glory RED MARK: A cross painted on Captain James Cook is likely to remain visible for about three months. Inset, A CCTV camera in Victoria Square was angled away from the statue so it did not record footage from the vandalism attack. PHOTOS: CHRIS BARCLAY NEWS 5 Teenagers sentenced for assaults on gay men FIVE TEENAGERS have been sentenced for a series of unprovoked attacks on gay men in Christchurch last year, which involved the youths filming the assaults. They received six months supervision and were ordered to pay reparations by Judge Quentin Hix when appearing in the Youth Court yesterday. Prosecutor Penny Brown described the 10 incidents as “highly premeditated and extremely violent” and argued three of the six offenders should be dealt with in the district court based on the serious nature of their offending. The trio includes one youth whose case continues in April. In one video played in the court, the audio picks up someone telling a victim who had beaten unconscious: “Yeah, f***ing go to sleep.” Brown argued the perpetrators would not receive adequate psychological and rehabilitation through the youth justice system. However, Judge Hix disagreed, saying jail – a likelihood should they be transferred to the district court – could lead the youths down a more violent path. EXPORT QUALITY MEATS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES 303 COLOMBO STREET SYDENHAM NORTHWOOD SUPA CENTRE INSTORE & ONLINE MONDAY 26TH FEBRUARY TO SUNDAY 3RD MARCH
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The Star: February 29, 2024

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