Students and teachers protest against new refuse station Local Maori say they will appeal a decision allowing the building of a new refuse transfer station on Te Ngae Rd.
Earlier this week resource consent was granted to Transpacific Industries Group New Zealand to build a refuse transfer station on the corner of Te Ngae Rd and Hamiora Place, on the site of the old Challenge petrol station.
Students and staff of Te Kura of Te Whakarewarewa were at the site yesterday afternoon protesting against the decision. In their lunch break, students were holding placards and signs showing their opposition to the decision including one which read "Ngapuna means the springs not the dump".
Transpacific said the transfer station would be used for commercial and industrial waste and construction and demolition waste, as well as some kerbside and green waste.
The site would feature a 12.5m-high transfer station, weigh bridge, workshop and recycling bins resulting in 120 to 180 additional vehicle movements a day.
It would be open seven days and be surrounded by a 2.4m chain-link security fence with landscaping near the front entrance, off Hamiora Place.
The decision comes after a joint hearing was called in August to hear Transpacific's resource consent application to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua District Council.
Both councils had already approved the proposal with conditions, mainly concerning odour prevention, windblown rubbish, storm water and flood prevention, pest control and landscaping.
However, nine submissions were made to both councils from concerned Ngapuna residents, local iwi and business owners who opposed it.
Ngapuna resident and Tapiata and Hamiora whanau spokesman John Tapiata said plans were under way to appeal the decision.
Mr Tapiata said he believed both councils should have allowed for wider public consultation instead of limiting it to those people and businesses surrounding the site.
"This effects the wider community and the four marae in the area."
Mr Tapiata said he was disappointed a cultural impact assessment had not been carried out.
Independent resource consent hearings commissioner Dr Bruce Graham said the physical effects of the activity could be adequately controlled.
"I would also note that the nature and scale of the activities are no greater than those associated with the previous uses of the site.
"It is also relevant to note, as with other submitters, some of the iwi concerns are based on the mistaken perception that the site will be akin to a rubbish dump," he said.
Dr Graham said he was satisfied "the actual and potential effects of the proposed activities will be no more than minor and that the amenity values and quality of the environment will not be adversely affected by the proposal."
Conditions imposed on Transpacific by the commissioner and councils included the company submitting a detailed landscape and stormwater management plan before work on the site began.
Both councils would also be monitoring the site to make sure consent conditions were adhered to.
Te Kura o Te Whakarewarewa principal Hariata Tapiata said students were shocked to hear a refuse transfer station was being built in Ngapuna.
"Many of our children live in Ngapuna ... one said she didn't know how this could happen and wanted to know who said they could build this on their land?
"They are deeply concerned, this is their land, their marae and their bath."
Ms Tapiata said senior students would write to the district and regional councils asking how it could be stopped.
Transpacific officials were unable to respond to The Daily Post questions.