Submissions on Green Bill heard
There was a very strong voice yesterday from local tangata whenua saying that they want their river protected not polluted said Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty.
The Local Government and Environment Select Committee today heard submissions on Green MP Catherine Delahunty’s Bill which would amend the RMA to protect rivers from pollution via the current "exceptional circumstances" loophole.
"Hearing people talk about the real cost of the pollution of their river strengthened my resolve to see this bill become law," said Ms Delahunty.
"People don’t accept that the companies cannot innovate to clean up their act.
"Solutions can be found. We need to put a line in the sand to make sure they are.
"The pulp and paper mills at Kawerau (Carter Holt Harvey and Norske Skogg) contradicted themselves, claiming to have cleaned up their act yet wanting to retain the right to pollute.
"As many of the submitters pointed out, the Tarawera River downstream of the pulp and paper mills is still one of the most polluted rivers in the country.
"While there has been some progress, the river is contaminated and discoloured - we need to do more.
"My bill still allows the mills 22 years of an existing resource consent to find a solution but they still want more.
"We heard how locals can’t eat the food, can’t take their children swimming and can’t serve the kai moana from the river mouth to their guests.
"Some of the submitters brought their children who spoke about wanting their river to be as clean upstream as downstream," said Ms Delahunty.
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