Stud’s fears in the air

If dust levels from a Tamahere quarry expansion fall within tolerance levels considered acceptable for humans, then they should be fine for horses.

That was the view of air pollution engineer Dr Terry Brady, on the second day of a hearing into an application by Porritt Quarry for a tenfold expansion in its sand mining operations at Hooker Rd, Tamahere,

Hooker Rd quarry dust up

Roading and traffic management are shaping as two of the most contentious issues at a resource consent hearing for the expansion of a sand quarry at Tamahere.

Airport flies low

Hamilton International Airport, which is planning a $22 million runway extension, is just managing to keep flying – financially.

At Hamilton City Council’s finance and audit committee meeting this week, airport chairman Jerry Rickman and chief executive Chris Doak presented the company’s financial position, reported the Waikato Times.

A key point was that no more capital was needed from the (ratepayer funded) shareholding councils apart from the $12 million sought in March.

Tanks, dual plumbing for new homes

Dual household plumbing systems could be required for new homes in the Waikato district.

The Waikato District Council is about to begin public consultation on a new water supply bylaw, prompted by concerns at the lack of effective legal mechanisms to regulate and manage day-to-day water supply activities,

Defended hearing in October

A defended hearing for the directors of Icepak Coolstores may take place in October.

At a call over at the Hamilton District Court on Friday, Judge Robert Spear set a nominal date of October 5.

The directors, Jan Van Eden, Wayne Grattan and Iain Slight, deny health and safety employment charges relating to the fatal coolstore explosion at Tamahere in April 2008.

Plea likely over fatal fire

The Labour Department’s case against those charged over the fatal coolstore fire at Tamahere near Hamilton last year has been in court again.

At a hearing in the Hamilton District Court on Friday (June 12) the case was adjourned until the following Friday (June 19) when a decision is likely on whether a disputed facts hearing for Icepak Coolstores Ltd is required or whether it will go straight to a sentencing date.

The department laid charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act against the company, its three directors, another company, Mobile Refrigeration Specialists, and an employee of that company, Warren Cook.

Icepak pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing but its three directors are maintaining not guilty pleas. A trial date for the three directors, Jan Van Eden, Iain Slight and Wayne Grattan, is tentatively set down for October.

At the next hearing on Friday, Mobile Refrigeration and Warren Cook are likely to make a plea.

Coolstore owners urged to heed rules

An editorial in today’s Waikato Times urges the coolstore industry to heed the wake up call that was the fatal Icepak fire at Tamahere.

The only thing worse than a tragedy is one that is avoidable, the editorial notes in a comment on the recently released coolstore design guidelines from the Institute of Professional Engineers (IPENZ).

Airport risks ratepayers’ $22mil

In a timely reminder, the $22 million “risk” to ratepayers of Hamilton Airport’s ambitious expansion plans is highlighted in today’s Waikato Times editorial.

The local body-owned airport company, Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL), is hosting an open day on June 16 to explain its “master plan” for the pricey expansion.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association says the airline industry is expected to lose $NZ14 billion in 2009 following the global economic meltdown.

The Waikato Times editorial points out that WRAL had just spent up large on a terminal upgrade despite Air New Zealand cautioning against it. Air NZ pulled out of international flights from Hamilton in April, only to have Pacific Blue step into the breach from September.

Merv and Murph burn up track

A year after the catastrophic explosion and fire at the Icepak coolstore at Tamahere and while still recovering from his injuries, fireman Merv Neil has grabbed the chance to burn up the race track.

Neil did a high speed lap with V8 driver, Greg Murphy, at the Taupo raceway.

Merv and Murph take a high speed lap

The circuit was recommended by his nurse, as part of his recovery,

Airport growth plans affect Tamahere

In a proposal that will affect Tamahere, Hamilton Airport is to seek planning approvals to extend its main runway.

The local body-owned airport company, Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL), has distributed a brochure (available below) to some Tamahere residents and is holding an open day on Tuesday, June 16 from 2pm to 8pm in the airport departure lounge.

The announcement of the airport’s expansion plans come only days after the Pacific Blue airline rescued the airport’s international name by saying it would fly from Hamilton to Sydney and Brisbane from September. Air New Zealand stopped trans-Tasman flights from Hamilton in April.