While it hasn't been a burning issue during the 2011 election campaign, the concept of an incinerator has occasionally flared up in the Royal City.
For several years, New Westminster has been suggested as a possible location for a waste-to-energy facility.
"I completely disagree with an incinerator," mayoral candidate James Crosty told The Record during a recent interview. "I will protest in front of that property before I allow that to happen under my watch."
Crosty said the city can't handle the truck traffic passing through the city at this time and it would only get worse if there was an incinerator in the city.
Incumbent mayor Wayne Wright said local residents and environmentalists would be consulted before a waste-to-energy facility was ever approved in the city.
"I'll be frank with you, if it's negative - I have spent nine years here - I am not ruining the track record I've got so far, which I think is good, with what I've done on the positive side to have anything negative take place," he said in an interview with The Record. "And at the same time, if there is an opportunity and there are things that are going to make the city a better place and we are going to get the hospital and get to do the stuff that the environment needs and the economic development needs, then we are going to be leaders. The incinerator is out of our hands."
Wright said the province, Metro Vancouver and the Port Authority would ultimately decide on an appropriate location for an incinerator.
"I can tell you this. The City of New Westminster will be ready for anything that is going to happen there on a positive for us," he said. "We want to be at that table if it ever comes here. I am very confident in our staff and in myself with the knowledge that I have. That is why I join the committees. Every committee I am on at the GVRD is so we learn something for the city."
Questioned about an incinerator at a recent all-candidates meeting, incumbent councillor Bob Osterman said he wouldn't support a garbage burning facility in the city.
"Very simply, no," he said. "With 400,000 to 500,000 vehicles a day through a city we cannot cope with any more traffic."
New Westminster Environmental Partners recently posed seven questions to mayoral and councillor candidates on issues ranging from sustainability, a major transportation plan, Pattullo Bridge, a tree bylaw and a waste-to-energy plant.
"All the responses seem pretty safe. While there were a few which were in favour of WTE in general, there were no overwhelming cries to bring one to New Westminster, which isn't surprising considering the reaction in New West to WTE," said Matthew Laird, a member of New Westminster Environmental Partners. "What would be more interesting is knowing how the candidate would address the fact that WTE has been approved by both Metro Vancouver and the Province, the ball has started rolling; how, or would, they try to stop it? Air pollution doesn't respect municipal boundaries, we might not have it located in New West, but that doesn't mean it won't affect New West."
The complete questionnaire can be found at www.nwep.ca but these are portions of some of their responses to the incinerator question.
- Mayoral candidate Vance McFadyen said he'd be concerned about the increased truck traffic (emissions/congestion) and emissions from the plant. "I can see some possible benefits such as employment opportunities and increased funding to the city. I would need to be convinced that it would not bring harm to our citizens and our city. This is not NIMBYism, but concerns that are genuine on my part."
- Mayoral candidate Françis Nantel said he may support the plant, but the decision ultimately would require consensus of New Westminster residents.
- John Ashdown's response states that he has nothing against incinerators as a means of getting rid of non-recyclables, but they have the perception of being bad.
"I see no problem with Burnaby's incinerator, however it is in an area well away from residential areas. As for an incinerator in the Royal City (controversial Canfor lands), it is not the place."
- "Given the compact nature of our community it would be difficult to find a location that would not affect a residential neighbourhood," said Jonathan Cote.
"I also have concerns about the traffic impacts that such a facility would impose on our road network. The ultimate goal for our region has to continue to be zero waste."
- Vladimir Krosnogar said he would strongly prefer not to have waste-toenergy plants or similar facilities in New Westminster and believes they should be located outside of metropolitan areas.
- Gerry Liu is opposed to having wasteto-energy plant in an urban setting, as there are unforeseen health issues to be considered.
- Jaimie McEvoy doesn't support a wasteto-energy facility in New Westminster and believes cities must involve citizens and neighbourhoods in dealing with waste issues. He noted that the city of Coquitlam had asked the province to relocate Royal Columbian Hospital to the Riverview lands, which seems unlikely, so perhaps a waste management plant could help that community solve its land-use problem for the Riverview site.
- "There is no clear need in our community for a waste-to-energy plant," said incumbent councillor Betty McIntosh. "There is no proposal."
- David Noshad believes it is a good plan and would support a waste-to-energy plant in the city.
- Gavin Palmer said most New Westminster residents are opposed to the concept because it's not proven to be scientifically safe for those living close to the plant.
- "I say no to waste to energy. I think that zero waste is the direction we should head for waste control. If you can build it you can dismantle and reuse it," said Chuck Puchmayr. "I have not seen any proof that nano particles and incinerator maintenance don't cause environmental contaminates to enter our over burdened air shed."
- Susan Wandell believes that zero waste is the best answer, but doubts residents are currently able to get that level. Before making a decision, she would need more information and would want to see other working models that the company being considered to build the incinerator currently have in operation. While she believes the technology exists to make this a safe venture, she wouldn't want to see a plant located directly beside a residential area - not because she fears the technology but because of the volume of traffic that it would bring to the area and the lack of support from the neighbourhoods.
- "Depends on the technology. I toured the one in Burnaby and was shocked by the types of garbage in there," said Lorrie Williams. "We must first reduce the garbage and only use incineration as a last resort."
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