Keith Waldman

What a contrast. It’s like a game of two halves.

On the east side of the Whakatane River, we have a reserve next to the fishing club with well maintained grounds, bollards around the entire road frontage and access that is locked each night. Why? Because underneath that nice green grass is toxic waste and the council do not want hoons ripping up the soil and exposing the dangers that lie within to people or animals.

On the west side, we have the same toxic waste beneath land  that is under consideration for the establishment of the proposed boat harbour. The owners of this land have already been compensated for the use of this land as a dump for toxic waste. Now Whakatāne District Council are considering extracting every last toxin-infected wood chip/shaving for the boat harbour, although Mayor Victor Luca and Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder are very concerned, and rightly so, of the long term impacts this exposure may have.

The only “partner” who is pushing for it to go ahead is Shane Jones who doesn't even live here. Will he be liable to pay for any fallout? Of course not. He has also appointed his longstanding Provincial Growth Fund member/mate John Rae, as chairman. Does he live here? Thats another no. You guys want it, go elsewhere.

So, we will be left to clean up the physical mess, which will be minor compared to the financial mess. The residents of Whakatāne will be the ones putting their hands into their empty pockets.

I have already written to Shane Jones, a couple of months ago and told him to cancel the cheque. No reply. No surprises there.

Leave this land and the toxins alone. When I worked in a treatment plant, I was told by the owner on day 1: ”Do not under any circumstances get that stuff on your skin, it will destroy you”.

You mean burn me?: “No, I mean destroy you from the outside in, just like treating timber”.

And that was well before Health and Safety regulations.

So come on WDC and BoPRC, do the sensible thing and pull the pin on this now, while it’s not too late. The only person disappointed will be Shane Jones, but he’ll get over it.