Tag: Auckland Council

Council Responds to the Salter’s Cartage explosion

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Investigation under-way

I prodded the Council yesterday after seeing the Herald report on complaints of gaseous smells in the area as well as Manukau that drew complaints for the last six months prior to Wednesday’s explosion (see: Smells reported before deadly explosion).

This from the Council:

Salter’s Cartage explosion

Following the tragic incident at Salter’s Cartage yesterday afternoon, Auckland Council is providing assistance to WorkSafe NZ and other agencies to ascertain the cause of the explosion.

Staff are visiting the area today to check whether there are any contaminants discharging into the estuary that need to be contained as a result of the explosion.

On 6 August 2015, Auckland Council staff visited Salter’s Cartage for a routine compliance inspection and subsequently an abatement notice was issued for concerns with certain ducting and internal processes.

Salter’s Cartage was asked to provide an action plan to remedy issues by the end of September.

“Until WorkSafe NZ has completed its investigation we are unable to comment on the matter further,” says Auckland Council’s General Manager Resource Consents, Ian Smallburn.

Following yesterday’s incident the council has received queries regarding previous odour complaints recorded in the area.

Auckland Council has received approximately 60 complaints regarding gas odours in the general Wiri and Manukau areas since August 2014.

“Staff investigate each complaint thoroughly, and at this stage we have no conclusive evidence to associate these with any particular source,” says Mr Smallburn.

“Typically the odours were experienced over a short duration and have been reported in isolated pockets over a wide area, which makes investigating a source of origin very difficult,” he says.

Auckland Council has no evidence to suggest that either of the two issues outlined above are in any way associated with yesterday’s tragedy.

Auckland Council set up an oil recovery scheme with Salter’s Cartage, which was handed over to another organisation in 2012.

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Believe me when that smell lingered in Manukau (even causing fire alarms to be triggered and/or buildings to be evacuated as people thought natural gas was leaking) was potent, potent enough I could even smell it on the Southern Motorway more than once passing by Manukau.

So then what was the cause of that smell that did make people sick?

As for the abatement notice that does raise an eye brow as well.

A Reminder After The Muriwai Beach Tragedy

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Stay safe, seat belts on and OBEY the Speed Limit

From Auckland Council

Muriwai beach tragedy

Auckland Council’s Rodney Ward Councillor Penny Webster says last night’s fatal crash on Muriwai beach is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this time.

“Muriwai Beach is a very popular destination with both tourists and locals and we are devastated that these young men have lost their lives in such tragic circumstances,” says Councillor Webster.

“The weather patterns and terrain of the beach is unique and can make driving conditions difficult at times. Driving on the beach is also very different from driving on the road,” says Councillor Webster.

Council encourages people wanting to drive on the beach to get a permit and read the corresponding safety advice on responsible driving on the beach prior to heading out to this popular location.

Under Auckland Council’s Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw, vehicles are not allowed on beaches without the written permission of council. On September 1, council began a 12 month trial of a permit system for Muriwai and Karioitahi beaches.

The permit system provides a way for council to explain and reiterate safety requirements for people who choose to drive on those beaches.

Since 1 September, 734 permits have been issued for Muriwai beach.

Rodney Local Board chairwoman Brenda Steele says, “We’re encouraged by the large number of people who have already signed up for this permit, however the permit is the first step. We need to educate drivers further of the importance of being aware of their surroundings, including all the other people and animals using this much-loved beach.”

Under the new system, people driving on beaches are required to fill out a free online permit. In doing so, they must read the rules and guidelines for driving on beaches, which include staying off the dunes, looking out for partially submerged objects, only accessing the beach three hours either side of low tide and slowing down when there are people or animals around.

Auckland Council continues to work alongside other agencies to improve safety and driver behaviour on Muriwai beach and is currently working on communicating further to beach users prior to the busy summer period.

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Safety first is no accident. Stay safe this Summer for all’s sakes.