Call for 24-hour surveillance

Glenn Wilson is worried about the black smoke bellowing from the Legacy Funerals crematorium. Photo / John Borren

A pyes Pa resident frustrated by the "indescribable smell" and black smoke he claims is coming from Legacy Funerals' crematorium says he will set up 24-hour surveillance of the furnace to show what locals are putting up with.

Earlier this month the Bay of Plenty Times reported the Bay of Plenty Regional Council was investigating Legacy Funerals' crematorium after residents complained about a smell and black smoke they said came bellowing from the chimney.

One woman said the stench was so bad it was like "someone was burning tyres".

Compliance officers yesterday met Legacy Funerals bosses at the Pyes Pa site to observe a cremation taking place, but details of the visit and monitoring were being kept under wraps because the investigation was "ongoing", a council spokesperson said.

The Bay of Plenty Times was not able to find out how council staff monitored the site, nor would council say if any restrictions had been put in place.

Legacy Funerals director Mike Savage confirmed he had met compliance officers yesterday but would not make any other comment other than to say the company would be working with council for "regular monitoring".

A council spokesperson said staff were at Legacy Funerals "between 9am and 11am" yesterday and observed "no visible discharge" during that time.

"We are continuing to work with the crematorium and encourage the public to report any discharges through [a] hotline," she wrote in an email.

Neighbour Glenn Wilson was calling on the regional council to monitor the site 24 hours. He questioned the investigation.

"Yesterday there was not much happening but a heat haze," he said.

"Regional council needs to put in some type of 24-hour surveillance so they can get a proper idea of what residents are putting up with ... if they don't do that then I will put a camera in place."