Winds halt fourth spray bid

By ALAN PERROTT

Project Painted Apple Moth hit yet another snag when the fourth attempt to launch the aerial spraying campaign was called off midway through the planned flight.

Project spokeswoman Mary-Ann Crawford said the wind became too strong for spraying about 11 am and the flight was halted.

Any wind stronger than 12 km/h can cause the Btk spray to drift outside the designated 560ha spray zone over residential and industrial properties in West Auckland.

"We had hoped to spray one or two more loads," said Ms Crawford, "but I guess the wind was totally predictable, given recent weather."

Yesterday's flight began in ideal conditions and covered Traherne Island, Waikumete Cemetery and all but a small tip on the southern end of the Avondale Peninsula.

"Luckily we managed to cover the tricky time-consuming parts around the cemetery and we hope to finish the rest tomorrow, weather permitting," said Ms Crawford.

The first two flights were abandoned after wind and rain were predicted and the third was halted because of a blocked spray nozzle.

The project's free phone received several calls from people complaining of being sprayed despite living outside the spray zone.

Ms Crawford said the helicopter was controlled by GPS guidance and once it flew outside the zone the nozzles were automatically switched off.

"It might move out of the zone when it turns, but it is not spraying. These people may be smelling spray it has already dropped."

She said others complained about the flightpath of another helicopter which turned out to be a Television New Zealand aircraft filming the spraying for the Australian pest.

A decision on today's spraying was to be made at 4 am. Spraying will, if approved, begin at 6 am from the project's McLeod Park base.

The twin-engined BK-117 helicopter will target Kelston, Glendene and Te Atatu. Flights will continue until these areas are covered.

When this round is completed the spraying will stop for 6-8 weeks before the second round begins.

An assessment of the project's effectiveness will be done after three complete operations, although up to seven repetitions are planned.

Project Painted Apple Moth will soon issue a second batch of vouchers to allow residents within the spray zone to dispose of garden waste at the Concourse refuse transfer station in Henderson.

One batch of vouchers valued at $5000 have already been distributed.

Critics of the campaign have said the project will not succeed without an adequate means of ensuring moth eggs are not unwittingly spread by people taking waste out of the area.

Dr John Clearwater, a senior scientist involved in Operation Evergreen, the 1996-1998 eradication of the white-spotted tussock moth, said the present disposal system was not sufficient.

"It dismays me, but doesn't surprise me. If people can't dispose of rubbish easily, conveniently and without cost you risk this whole thing being spread further. This whole programme seems very porous.

"At the beginning the probability of success was very high. Now it's only moderate."

nzherald.co.nz/environment