The inquiry into the pros and cons of an incinerator plant is in Te Awamutu has ground to a shock halt.
Don’t burn Waipa
And the reason was revealed by objectors, who revealed it was related to the failure of applicant Global Contracting Solutions to pay fees.
But the authority conducting the board of inquiry into the resource consent application for the incinerator in Racecourse Road – the Environmental Protection Authority – refused to discuss the issue with The News.
Pressure group Don’t Burn Waipā publicised the email signed by EPA chief executive Dr Allan Freeth.
“This suspension will pause all statutory processing timeframes, including the decision due date which was the 28 August 2025,” Freeth’s email said.
“Due to the process being suspended, this decision due date will no longer remain valid. If processing is resumed, we will provide an updated date, in line with the remaining statutory timeframe, in which the Board of Inquiry must make a decision.
Project director Adam Fletcher
“If the applicant subsequently pays the costs recoverable by the EPA, we will lift our suspension on processing their consent application. We will write to you again if this occurs.’
A Don’t Burn Waipā spokesperson said the development was unexpected and the “pause” was an opportunity to strengthen its stand.
Global Contracting Solutions project director Adam Fletcher told The News application costs had doubled one month before the inquiry and the company was working with the EPA to settle the matter.
“We are only two weeks away from the decision,” he said.
“We are a bit bemused as to why they chose to do this now. It seems a bit non sensical.”
14 August 2025 3.55am
The Environmental Protection Authority has suspended the processing of Global Contracting Solution’s resource consent application to build a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu.
An artist’s impression of the proposed plant.
Don’t Burn Waipā shared an email received from the EPA via social media yesterday saying all work on the application will stop from today (Thursday) after the applicant failed to pay its costs.
The project will not move forward until the applicant pays the balance of its costs.
EPA external communications team leader Marina Skinner refused to comment on the announcement lastnight and told The News to get back in touch today.
Paewira has sparked significant controversy. The plant would burn 150,000 tonnes of waste annually to generate electricity, but it faces strong opposition from residents and local councils due to concerns about its impact on the environment, health, and local economy.
Protestors Don’t Burn Waipa outside council building.
