Status of the project: Proposal. Awaiting LGOIMA response from WRC.
Background to the project:
Steve Wilson, on behalf of Empire Property Group, contacted Council wishing to discuss the possibility of siting a gasification plant in South Waikato.
Council staff attended a Teams call on 6 October in the context of evaluating all relevant options in determining Council’s ongoing approach to efficient waste management in the district.
During that call Council advised Mr Wilson that any development of that nature would require resource consent, which was the responsibility of Waikato Regional Council (WRC).
Council advised it would not be in a position to progress any further conversations or activity until direction or consent had been granted by WRC.
On 7 October Council contacted Valerie Bianchi, Waste Prevention Advisor at WRC to inform her that referral had been made to WRC regarding the consenting process necessary for establishing a gasification plant.
SWDC understands that a meeting between Mr Wilson and WRC has subsequently taken place.
Campaign updates:
October 2026: LGOIMA requests filed with SWDC and Waikato Regional Council.