$186,000 tagged to bring Rarotonga landfill to a compliant level

The meeting with the Puaikura Aronga Mana on Tuesday 23 June 2009 at the Au Maru Palace in Puaikura at 7pm was short and straight to the point, says Dr Ngamau Wichman Tou. The update provided to the Puaikura Aronga Mana included a copy of the February 2009 information paper presented to Cabinet in regards to the non compliant status of the landfill, a summary of the follow up meeting held with Government to see how they will address the non compliant status of the landfill and the legal action proposed, if no funds are committed in the 2009/2010 budget.
The information paper that was distributed was done as a matter of courtesy to the Puaikura Aronga Mana, says Dr Ngamau Wichman Tou, given that they were in agreement with the groups concerns over the health risks associated with the non compliant landfill. As for the summary of the follow up meeting held with Government, Dr Ngamau Wichman Tou says, it was important that the Puaikura Aronga Mana heard our perspective on what was discussed, although briefings were given to them by the Member of Parliament, William Heather and T & M Heather Director, Teariki Heather, prior to our arrival to the meeting. Lastly, the legal action proposed was also presented to the Puaikura Aronga Mana, so that they understood the stance that the group was taking, if government did not commit the necessary funds to commence addressing the non compliant status of the landfill.
Dr Ngamau Wichman Tou tells the Herald that the work carried out by the two lawyers has resulted in a strong case against government and if government does not commit funds in this upcoming 2009/2010 budget towards bringing the landfill to a compliant level, the group will proceed with legal action based on the principal of protecting our people from the health risks associated to mismanaged landfills.
Last night Ruaau member of parliament, William Heather advised the Puaikura Aronga Mana that $186,000 has been committed in the upcoming budget specifically for the Rarotonga landfill and that they should expect to hear this in the budget announcement in Parliament.
The announcement of the availability of the $186,000 from an ADB account is a real surprise, says another member of the Ruaau residents group. The various ministries advised the group that there were no funds available or a lack of funds to bring the landfill to a compliant level and then all of a sudden there are funds available. This government is absolutely incredible, yet again. The money seems to show up when they want it to show up. It is disappointing that the government makes us go through these lobbing stages in the effort to protect our people from harm. It should never happen like this at all. They should know that they are charged with taking care of the people in projects that they commit the country to, not the people of this country taking care of their failed donor type projects.
Dr Ngamau Wichman tells the Herald that she is happy with the response from MP of Ruaau on behalf of Government. This is a positive move towards addressing our non compliant landfill. However, we will need to wait and see that if it has been included in the 2009/2010 financial budget.

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