Alliance Smithfield meat plant has been ordered to pay $57,000 after being prosecuted by Environment Canterbury for unlawfully discharging a contaminant of trade waste and ‘‘stickwater’’ to land and then to sea near Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon.
Judge J.J.M. Hassan’s decisions in sentencing were released late last month, following the company’s guilty plea for its breach of the Resource Management Act for the event on March 26, 2021.
The sentence took into consideration the restorative justice process Alliance Smithfield participated in, which resulted in providing $25,000 to Te Runanga o Arowhenua and $25,000 to Te Aitarakihi Multicultural Centre.
An enforcement order has also been issued requiring Alliance Smithfield to complete upgrades to infrastructure at the plant by January 31, 2023 to reduce the risk of further discharges.
A blocked tradewaste pipe caused the discharge, described as a ‘‘green and red-tinged odorous effluent [that was] flowing down a cliff, through a culvert under the walkway and into the ring drain. From there, the effluent flowed on the outgoing tide via culverts to the coastal marine area’’.
Judge Hassan noted it was not the first discharge incident at the Alliance plant. Another took place on May 14, 2020 that included overflow to the land and the ring drain.
Alliance identified three preventive actions but completed only two out of the three.
The third was to construct a block wall to bund the area; if built, it would have prevented the March 2021 discharge.
Southern zone lead Peter Burt said ECan was pleased with the outcome of the prosecution.
‘‘The court has clearly recognised the seriousness of this unauthorised discharge that flowed into a marine area at a site treasured by mana whenua, and important as a habitat for animals, plants and aquatic life.
‘‘The event impacted marine life, mahinga kai gathering and the intrinsic cultural and recreational value of our water.’’
Mr Burt said ECan would continue to closely monitor Alliance Smithfield’s resource consents and inspect the site regularly.
