Bill to close loophole on pollution of our waterways
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| THE BLACK DRAIN: Tarawera River. |
Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty's Resource Management (Restricted Duration of Certain Discharge and Coastal Permits) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot today.
The bill closes a loophole allowing on going pollution of waterways in "exceptional circumstances" a provision which is being abused to allow for on-going pollution of rivers in some cases up to 35 years. This Bill restricts exceptional circumstances to 5 years.
"It is great that my Bill to protect our rivers and coast from being treated as drains has been drawn," said Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty.
"Exceptional circumstances are real but it should not take 25 years to fix - a 5 year timeframe is much more reasonable.
"The 'exceptional circumstances' provision has been applied in a number of places to allow 25 to 35 years of pollution with no end in sight.
"The Kawerau pulp and paper has been pumping waste into the Tarawera River since 1955 - it is a national disgrace and this loophole needs to be closed," said Ms Delahunty.
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