Created by New Zealand First Clutha-Southland list MP Mark Patterson in February, after the region’s flooding, the petition calls for the House of Representatives to urge the Government to ‘‘take any means necessary to remove the aluminium dross from the Mataura paper mill site and relocate it to Tiwai Point’’.
Ouvea premix can create toxic ammonia gas when mixed with water.
The petition would be presented to Environment Minister David Parker and then to the House today or tomorrow. An appearance before the Environment Select Committee would then be arranged.
‘‘We’ve seen on two occasions now flooding get close to getting in the mill itself. The risk level is too high. It’s stored in Invercargill in a flood zone as well, it’s just not adequate...’’ Mr Patterson said.
Sort Out The Dross spokeswoman Laurel Turnbull said the petition being delivered was good.
She believed about 500 tonnes of the 10,000 tonnes of ouvea premix had been removed from the site by truck so far.
