By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
The sky could be raining insecticide over West Auckland again this morning, after a mechanical fault halted the painted apple moth spray campaign yesterday.
The twin-engined BK-117 helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at 7 am yesterday, after one hour of spraying.
It was the fifth time the
operation had been postponed, after five days of high winds, rain and mechanical difficulties.
"It's extraordinarily frustrating," said Mary-Ann Crawford, spokeswoman for Project Painted Apple Moth. "It's difficult enough without having to deal with mechanical errors."
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had hoped to complete the first stage of its spray campaign yesterday. Requirements are calm, dry conditions and no rain for at least five hours after spraying.
But the helicopter was forced to land in Archibald Park when a faulty instrument indicated engine problems.
Ms Crawford said the instrument was replaced yesterday afternoon. If fine weather continued today, the helicopter would spray over Kelston, Glendene and Te Atatu south to complete the first stage of the operation.
The project's freephone line received more than 50 calls yesterday from residents wanting to know when the spraying would be completed.
There were also several calls from residents complaining of asthma-related difficulties caused by the spray.
Kubi Witten-Hannah, chairman of resident advocate group Community Advisory Committee, said people were "tired and frustrated" by the delays.
"They don't know when to go out, when to stay at home, when to close their windows."
The spray zone affects about 3000 West Auckland properties around the Whau River, its tributaries and the Avondale peninsula.
When the first stage of the spray campaign has been completed, spraying will stop for three to four weeks before the second round begins.
nzherald.co.nz/environment
