Decision report- Carey's Gully Sludge Dewatering Facility - Greater ...

submissions). In making such a waiver, the consent authority is required by
section 37A(1) of the Act to take into account:
a) The interests of any person who, in its opinion, may be
directly affected by the waiver;
b) The interests of the community in achieving adequate
assessment of the effects of any proposal, policy statement or
plan;
c) Its duty under section 21 to avoid unreasonable delay.
The applicant was provided with a copy of all submissions at the close of the
notification period. The applicant was provided an opportunity to raise a
discussion point around the acceptance of the late submissions. There was no
issue raised with accepting late submissions, and as such the 20 working day
time period was extended to allow the late submissions to be accepted. In
extending the submission period it was considered that the submissions raised
issues relevant to the assessment of the proposal and would not create
unreasonable delay to the consent process.
7.2.2 Issues raised by submissions
The key issues raised by submitters were related to odour from the wider
Carey’s Gully complex. This is discussed in the following sections.
7.2.3 Issues raised by submissions in support
One submission was raised in support of the application. The submitter noted
that it was for the greater public good that the processing of the sewage sludge
continues at the facility, and for the solids to be disposed of either at the
landfill or via co-composting at the LEL facility. Within the submission, it was
requested that the applicant make ‘serious efforts’ to mitigate the odour that
was generated by the entire facility at various times through the year; however,
there was a recognition that if the facilities stopped working, there would be
serious ramifications for Wellington City.
7.2.4 Issues raised by submissions of conditional support or neutral
submissions
Three submissions were neutral or provided conditional support to the
application. Very little detail was provided by two of these submitters, with one
wishing to be heard at the hearing.
Friends of Owhiro Stream, an environmental group concerned about the ongoing
contamination of the Owhiro Stream, also provided a neutral submission.
The group wishes to ensure that any long-term disposal of sludge to the landfill
will not result in any additional adverse effects on the Owhiro Stream.
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