Environmental Management Working Party
Notes of a meeting held on 18 February 2003
Present: Kate Kearins, Ken Piddington, Richard Bedford, John Cameron, Hamish
Rennie, and Marganne Allen
1. Apologies. Bruce Clarkson, Brennan Allen.
2. Orchard Park and residual pesticides update (John Cameron). This issue arose
out of single sample taken near the NIWA and Landcare buildings as part of
University of Waikato graduate research project looking at residual soil pesticide
levels in orchard sites nationwide. This sample showed high levels of DDT and other
substances. To define the extent of the problem, further samples were taken
throughout the former orchard site by University staff. The samples were processed
Hill Laboratories, and an external consultant was hired to analyse and interpret the
results. The University has also been in consultation with the Health Board,
Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council, Ministry of the Environment, Tainui
and other critical interest groups. On average, the results are within current
guidelines but certain samples did indicate high levels of contaminants in the vicinity
of both Te Kohanga Reo creche and Te Kura Kaupapa school. A meeting to inform
parents and staff of both the crèche and school was scheduled, but unfortunately the
information was leaked to the press of the Waikato Times before the meeting was
held.
The Board of Health recommended that mitigation measures implemented, but
closure of any of the facilities including the crèche, school, and Orchard Park cottages
was not necessary. Mitigation measures include but are not limited to covering
exposed soil, not eating fruits and vegetables from gardens in potentially
contaminated soil and washing hands after playing/working outside. Immediate
mitigation measures have been initiated, but the University is currently deciding what
to do in the long-term. Adjacent homeowners may also be effected, and have been
contacted by the University. The University is considering requests from some
homeowners that the University conduct sampling on their properties. These
homeowners will have to be notified that the results of any testing will become public
knowledge and may affect property values.
3. New EMWP member and Chair recommendations.
New member recommendations: Joseph MacFarlane (Asst. Pro VC Maori and Pacific
Development), Barry Barton (SOL), Al Gillespie (SOL), John Graham (SOE), Paul
Keown (SOE), Eva Collins (WMS).
Chair recommendations: Bruce Clarkson
To Do: Contact Joseph MacFarlane about interest in Working Party (Richard).
To Do: Contact Bruce about interest in Chair position (Kate).
EMWP Meeting 18 February 2003
File: 1/4/79
1
4. Rodney Tolley presentation (Marganne). Tolley (CAST – Centre for Alternative
and Sustainable Transport, Staffordshire University) presented in Hamilton Nov. 22
2002. Presentation title: “Planning Liveable and Walkable Neighbourhoods”.
•
•
•
Benefits of walking: potential relationship between obesity trends and
inactivity, increased social interactions, sustainability, expected
economic benefits of “slow” consumers (people walking past shops
will buy more than those driving by them).
Disincentives to walking: perceptions about “stranger danger”, vehicle
accidents, trends towards dispersed land uses, unpleasant walking
environments, public attitudes towards walkers as “sad people without
cars”
Need for better planning
5. New Zealand and Hydrogen Fuels (Ken). Meeting not being held until February
28. In general, the environment for alternative energy sources is looking more
positive. The threat of losing the Maui gasfield, concerns about hydroelectric lake
levels and the fact that this conference is being held attest to this. Furthermore, the
Resource Management Act is about to be amended to consider alternative energy
alternatives.
6. Clean burning initiative update (Ken). This project has been on hold due to other
work priorities, but Ken is planning to make additional contacts soon.
7. Draft University Environmental Policy recommendations.
Comments/Questions and Proposed Responses:
•
Does urban design consultation need to be specifically mentioned in
Implementation section (Richard)?
To Do: Further clarify what an Environmental Management System (EMS) will
entail and tie this section into existing efforts/documents (Marganne).
•
The Context section contains some material that is becoming dated (i.e. Agenda
21) and should refer to the Treaty of Waitangi. It should also clarify that the
scope is limited to environmental issues and is not intended to include social
aspects (Hamish).
To Do: The Context section should be rewritten so that it is more resistant to
becoming outdated, to consider the Treaty of Waitangi and to clarify its scope to
the environmental arena (Marganne and Ken).
•
There was some discussion about whether or not the last two commitments of the
policy should remain there or be moved into the Implementation section. The
EMWP Meeting 18 February 2003
File: 1/4/79
2
group settled with leaving these statements as commitments in the Policy
Statement (Kate and group).
8. Additional items
•
•
•
To Do: Review Party Terms of Reference and determine what type of group
structure should be established (Marganne).
Recommendation: Investigate potential for an inter-school paper on
environmental issues to meet the need for courses on this topic (from Kate).
Completion of an Environmental Management System is listed as a goal in
University Profile.
EMWP Meeting 18 February 2003
File: 1/4/79
3