Te Rūnanga o Waihao chairperson Dardanelle McLean-Smith said they do not support South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL’s) proposal, or its inclusion on the Fast-Track list, a move which had increased their concerns “exponentially”.The iwi had been “really disappointed” in the lack of transparency from SIRRL throughout the application process.“Community input is very important, and from a mana whenua perspective,

 Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley recalls how “highly disappointing SIRRL’s approach to community communication had been.“ At a Waimate District Council public workshop, on November 19, 2024, Waimate mayor Craig Rowley described SIRRL’s approach to community communication as ‘disgusting’. “When it comes to the proposed waste-to-energy plant, I’m disappointed, disgusted in the way that this council and our ratepayers have been

On December 1, 2024, Why Waste Waimate sent a letter to Fast-track minister Christopher Bishop raising concerns about the inclusion of SIRRL’s incinerator proposal on the list of projects included for fast-track approval. In a December 30, 2024, Timaru Herald article, SIRRL responded with director Paul Taylor stating the letter contained “factual errors, and has resulted in the company seeking legal advice over possible