Cessation of Waste Disposal Activities and Cancellation of the Lauder Waste Disposal Consent

To the Chair, Councillors and Chief Executive of the Otago Regional Council,
We, the undersigned residents, landowners, farmers, businesses and supporters of the wider Lauder community, oppose the waste disposal activities authorised under Resource Consent RM25.407.01, referred to here as the Lauder Waste Disposal Consent.
Our position is clear: We wish to see the waste disposal activity at this site cease and the Lauder Waste Disposal Consent immediately cancelled.
Whilst we recognise the need for responsible waste management, we oppose disposal of any local authority waste at this Lauder property, particularly waste from outside the Central Otago District.
Our concerns include potential effects on household water supplies and drinking water systems serving Lauder, Omakau and Ophir, as well as stock water, groundwater, waterways and soils. Uncertainty about water safety is causing undue stress and affecting community wellbeing and morale.
We also question the long-term and cumulative effects on rural amenity, traffic, tourism and the Otago Central Rail Trail visitor experience. These concerns are compounded by the fact the consent was granted without public notification.

Further action while the consent remains in force
While pursuing this outcome, and undertaking the planned formal review, we ask the Council to:
1 Better examine environmental risks and cumulative effects, including the implications of trench disposal for groundwater and surface water.
2 Apply any additional protective conditions or lawful enforcement measures justified by the evidence
3 Examine potential effects on tourism, visitor experience and the reputation of Lauder and the wider Manuherekia Valley.
4 Make monitoring results, waste testing and compliance information readily available to the public.
5 Explain the original non-notification decision and establish meaningful engagement with area wide residents, neighbouring landowners and local businesses.

You can find the information ORC have published on this consent here: https://www.orc.govt.nz/consents-and-compliance/compliance/sj-allen-holdings-limited-lauder-discharge-consent-rm2540701

Why the community is concerned
The following concerns are questions for further examination. They do not establish that contamination or tourism losses have occurred. The petition asks whether the safeguards and assessment adequately address the activity's long-term effects.

• Water
• Trench disposal and protection of water
• Land and Environment
• Community and Amenity
• Tourism and the Otago Central Rail Trail
• Safeguards and Review

The petition asks ORC to take all lawful steps available to end the waste disposal activity and secure cancellation of RM25.407.01. 
While pursuing this outcome, it also seeks review of conditions, examination of environmental and tourism effects, transparent reporting, an explanation of non-notification, meaningful engagement and protective or enforcement measures where justified.

Improved monitoring or stronger conditions alone would not satisfy the primary request. We seek a written response addressing cessation, cancellation, the legal pathways and ORC's proposed action.