Submitters speak: Just 1.6% favour Te Awamutu waste-to-energy plant proposal
Monday, 9 June 2025
Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan is not alone in objecting to the planned waste-to-energy plant at Te Awamutu - the vast majority of submitters to an upcoming hearing also rejected the plans.
The proposed $200m-plus facility is expected to take about 480 tonnes of refuse a day, burning it to generate steam to turn into electrical power. Ahead of hearings on whether it should go ahead, the Waikato Times ran the rule over the 43-page Environmental Protection Authority submissions report.
Of 2173 submissions, the vast majority - 97%, or 2115 submissions - were against the plant, with concerns including air quality and perceptions.
Just 36 submitters - 1.6% - approved the plans, 13 were neutral and 10 did not state a view, while 1266 submitters want to speak at the hearings.
O’Regan had previously told the Waikato Times “the last thing Te Awamutu people need is an incineration plant on their doorstep”.
Most submitters were from Kihikihi, Cambridge, Ōtorohanga, Pirongia and Hamilton, the report said, though submissions were received from as far away as Auckland and Christchurch.
The most pressing concern from more than 60% of the submissions was air quality, followed by human health, location site/suitability, general environmental and water concerns.
In total, 1393 submissions raised air quality as a concern, from emissions in general to specific contaminants “such as dioxins and nanoparticles”, the report said.
KiwiRail Holdings Ltd noted ash, dust, steam and the like could interfere with their operations, citing concerns including potential mechanical impacts, reduced track traction and visibility, and “health hazards for train crews and passengers”.
Potential health impacts were raised across 1394 submissions, with many “deeply concerned about the effect of chemical and particle emissions”.
For 574 submitters, there were “concerns were that this proposal incentivises waste and therefore undermines the need to reduce waste and recycle”, the report said.
“Many considered that an incinerator does not force manufacturing factories to produce their goods in a less climate-altering way, and enables companies to create more waste and rubbish.”
NZ Transport Agency’s submission claimed a transport assessment was “insufficient to be able to understand the effects of the proposal”.
Other submitters were also worried about pedestrian and road safety “given the proximity of the site to schools, daycare and residential environment”, the report said.
The EPA said another “highly emotive issue” was the site location and suitability, with 1041 submissions.
Many didn’t want it in a residential area, suggesting instead 'an unpopulated rural or coastal area where emissions would not affect people,” the report said.
Proximity to “several food manufacturing plants” was also raised, with some submitters noting that, for a nearby Fonterra Dairy Production plant, even “a perceived effect” could damage the reputation.
“Perception” was also cited by 240 submissions when it came to the potential for economic impacts on agricultural and horticultural sectors.
“While submitters recognised that there would be additional jobs created by the proposal, they felt that on balance significantly more jobs would be lost due to loss of income, or businesses like Fonterra relocating.”
What might happen in a “malfunction, fire or explosion” was highlighted by 216 submissions.
They said Te Awamutu has only a volunteer fire brigade, and the response time for backup 'could lead to a significant emissions event”.
The EPA report noted that while only 36 submissions supported the plans, it was important to capture the positives they mentioned.
“The most common positive effect identified is that the proposal reduces the amount of waste going into landfills,” it said.
Others included reducing greenhouse gases, job creation, efficient disposal of tyres and a reduction in illegal dumping.
Hearings on the proposals are set to start on Monday June 16 at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton.