There's a bad smell coming from Orchard Rite

Too much time spent on the Internet will rot your brain. But before you leave....
Have a look at the following article (click on the thumbnail).

It describes the use of Orchard Rite fans to disperse sewage smells.

It turns out they were pretty successful, however people stopped complaining about the smell and then started complaining about the noise (some people would complain if their rear end was on fire!).

Interestingly, Orchard Rite (which in their two bladed form is widely regarded (at least hereabouts) as the noisiest model of all fans) made modifications to their fans to make them quieter by adding blades to use 3, 4 and then 5 bladed models (the picture shows the 5 bladed models).

So they can be made quiet, but first you have to raise a stink. Sound familiar?

It's grim times. But don't expect judgements to be clouded.

There is no doubt the the fiscal realities of growing a crop that serves as a 'luxury' foodstuff can be a bit of an issue in times of economic hardship.

So the question has to be asked are those who are hurting those who's poor planning means that they can't withstand a year or two of poor returns?

Anyone from a genuine farming background will know that there are good years and bad years. You reap in the good so that you can survive in the bad. If you have an expectation that all years will be good and plan accordingly, you will get stung. It's called greed. You can smell it on some people.

It therefore comes as a surprise to read the following from the manager of the Cheviot Kirribilly Vineyard Property Group.

Grape growers in Australia have arrived at the Rubicon.

In the latest 2009 vintage, it is now clear that grape prices have collapsed, with numerous district weighted average (“DWA”) prices some 25% below the prior 2008 vintage, despite the marginally lower tonnages of grapes produced. Whilst a reduction of DWAs was envisaged, the quantum is well above most reasonable forecasts and represents the culmination of a concerted campaign by grape buyers – mainly the larger wine producers – to lower their input costs and de facto reduce Australia’s wine surplus. Their behaviour is, of course, being driven by factors such as the higher Australian dollar, retailer consolidation and desires for further efficiencies.

The fact now remains that many grape growers face the choice of four unpalatable alternatives:

• Bankruptcy;
• Government financial assistance to remove vines, turn over the land to alternative use and move on;
• Attempted sales at well below perceived values four or five years ago, into a vineyard market swollen by the desires of at least two major integrated wine producers to reduce their levels of fixed capital; or
• Subsistence living with no return on capital given that grape prices in some varietals and areas appear to reflect little more than the basic cost of production.

So, for one manager at least, it looks a little like one bad year means disaster. While I would normally focus on frost fan issues, it pains me to see practices such as viticulture, which are touted as agriculture, cry "disaster" after years of greed have produced a poor return in one year.

Genuine farmers know better. They have managed their properties sensibly and responsibility, ever mindful that the fickle nature of the climate, be it physical or financial, can throw a curve ball every now and again.

If you're sitting in Remuera bemoaning the poor investment you made in wine, you have got everything you deserve.

More hand wringing. Can you ever have enough?

This article in the Marlborough Express has a couple of comments from Councilors at yesterday's meeting;

Peter Jerram; "We should have done this a long time ago."

Francis Maher; "Frost fans had caused, "a lot of hardship to people""

I would like to think that in the words of L.V. Martin "It's the putting right that counts". The people of Marlborough have suffered. Some of them have suffered tremendously because of this issue. While the 1000 or so fans in the district are still a huge issue, having a system in place to enforce responsible use of new fans is a positive step. In all reality this mirrors steps being taken in Tasman and The Hurunui. The environment has suffered enough. The residents have been pushed to breaking point. Change is coming.

So how'd the meeting go?

Well by all accounts not to badly.

In fact I am informed that the tone of the discussions centered on the fact that it appears that all the councillors were mightily concerned at the effects. They appeared to basically agree that the situation is out of control with the current regulations and that it needs putting right. The was also talk of concern that the fans that are already installed could not be legislated against, but there you go. The best that could be done there appeared to be monitoring the scale of the disaster rather than putting it to a stop.

Sorry we all told you so for so many years. You may assume that it provides the public a cold comfort indeed to be proven right. No sign of any apologies form any councillors who had previously been involved in granting consents for fan installations.

There you go.

For those so inclined, a copy of the section 32 report on the plan change can be downloaded from here;

Suddenly its gone quiet. Too quiet.

There is a possibility, that I was mistaken. Yes, I know hard to believe.

In this post two days ago, I claimed that there had been no monitoring of frost fans by the Council except for an abortive (and embarrassing) debacle about two years ago and one earlier this year for which the results had not even been published.

A small bird has told me that the results HAVE now been published. I have yet to have a copy hand delivered, but I understand there is something in there that will come as a bit of a shock.

You might want to sit down.

Both fans measured were found to be non-compliant with the District plan.

I know, I know, it came as a shock to me too.

Surely the growers were taking great pains to make sure they were protecting the environment and their neighbours?

Surely the frost fan installers (I presume that this was FMR as I understand that they are Amarillo fans) were professional in making sure their clients weren't exposed to breaching the District rules?

Wait! I know what's happened! By some amazing fluke they have selected the only two non-compliant frost fans in the district. Curse their bad luck!

Apparently there's still more (trust me, I'm still reeling). Both fans apparently exhibited special audible characteristics (tonality and impulsiveness), which make them particularly annoying.

Wow! That's not the best is it?

I suppose it could have been worse, there could have been someone (perhaps even a family) living next door who had been there for many years before the grapes were planted and the fans put in. This family could in theory be 100m away from these fans. Boy, it's lucky that's not the case and that they didn't measure the noise outside their house!

Hang on. There IS a family living next door who had these fans planted 100m away from them?

And the noise was measured at 74dBA L10?

Wait a minute, that can't be right. That level of noise is the same as having an un-silenced wood chipper running outside your bedroom. Surely they would complain? Oh they did? Years ago? and the Council wrung their hands for how long?

So now they're going to do something right?

Right?

Meeting 1:30pm Monday in the Council chambers. Item 1. Frost fans.

Show them the money!

Art for art's sake. Wine for money's sake.

See if you can pigeon hole these people;

Making the list of quotes and sentences attributed to people below was intended to be fairly serious, but in retrospect, there is a certain humorous aspect, that is not helped by my (random (really!!)) arranging of them.

Geoff Matthews:

• "It's shaping up to be one of the best vintages."

Stuart Smith:

• One of the big advantages with wine, is that consumers can't get enough of it. Even though New Zealand's production - and world production - is steadily climbing, Smith says it's likely we'll be "running out of wine" to fill demand.
• "We aren't going to have an oversupply,"
• "There's no point in taking grapes that we don't need and turning it into wine that we can't sell
• the extra wine would have to go off shore as the domestic market would not be able to absorb it all.
• "I believe we are doing a good job of managing it,"
• "Each year we have made projections about sales and growth, and each year these are fulfilled and often surpassed. This year is no exception,"
• "Managing a supply-demand imbalance in the long-term interests of the industry will inevitably involve short-term pain."
• "Without doubt, the situation was exacerbated by the global recession. As a result, lower profits are the reality for many in the industry this year."
• "I think it is a problem, but some companies are doing very well in matching their supply to the markets."
• Wine would end up being sold unprofitably if production levels remained high
• "Inevitably volumes will increase
• "Well, I like drinking wine"
• "I don't think quality is the issue,"
• Setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol would be the best way to address excess drinking by youths.
• we don't come cheap
• "we've one of the highest returns (per bottle),"
• Profit is not there until you have the money in the bank
• Activities such as drinking and smoking, which are perceived as bad for health.
• "What we have to do is maintain that and the only way to do that is maintain the growth and ensure the marketing dollars are spent wisely."
• "I don't hold any fears for the quality of Marlborough sauvignon blanc."
• "The council should not be attempting to find middle ground between two warring factions."
• any contractors breaking the rules needed to see the "full wrath of the law".
• Rural residents simply have to put up with rural situations
• "We are in a period of change and long term the industry has a fantastic future but it's going to be a readjustment."
• everyone is entitled to their opinion
• overseas investment was a good thing for the New Zealand wine industry because the investing companies came with their own distribution channels
• the wine industry makes a big impression on the landscape here

Allan Scott:

• Sensible management, taking only what was needed and taking advice of others.
• gross oversupply would "kill the industry"
• "It's been a bit crazy with plantings in water-short areas and in areas which are obviously uneconomic, putting a lot of pressure on the infrastructure."

Dr John Forrest:

• The "shite 20 per cent" of last year's vintage should not have been on the market, cane numbers should have been reduced The industry should have been given some teeth to control what was being sold overseas.
• people are losing control of Marlborough sauvignon blanc and bulk exports. Quality is all important
• most wineries took in more fruit than they needed, of which he estimated about 20 per cent was of compromised quality.

Marcus Pickens:

• the large vintage will mean the demand of overseas markets will be consistently met, both with quality and quantity.

Neal Ibbotson:

• "The market is still growing for sauvignon blanc, so eventually we will come back in supply-demand balance. Sales are still increasing."
• wineries would place restrictions on growers to ensure the wineries stayed market-led.

Phillip Gregan:

• wasn't too concerned by what some of the industry perceived as desperation dumping.
• "There's a lot of potential for bulk wine because of the bulk harvest.
• "I'd expect to see substantial growth in the export market in the next 12 months. But just how much by, we don't know."
• I'm not too concerned by what some of the industry perceived as desperation dumping.
• nearly half of the country's wine production is now in the hands of overseas-owned companies. "We take foreign investment as a sign of marketplace success for New Zealand wines," he said. "It means we're successful and people want to be part of it."

Marcus Pickens:

• selling wine in bulk is part of modern-day business.
• wine sold in bulk was usually not premium wine and was not going to be labelled as premium, therefore wine labelled as premium is exactly that

Gary Neale:

• "Australia is absolutely flooded with cheap Marlborough sauvignon blanc,"
• if you keep oversupplying the market, then the prices will not go up.

Blair Gibbs:

• Marlborough sauvignon blanc exports were "absolutely flying"

Alistair Sowman:

• "You are protecting an industry and it provides a massive economic boost to the community, but there are some times when you have to put those economic benefits aside and look at social issues."

Michael Hyson:

• "Until now, they've turned a blind eye."

Come in Spinner!

In the recent article in the Marlborough Express on the upcoming environmental policy committee meeting on the 24th (especially regards frost fans), there were several comments which caught my eye.

Firstly Stuart Smith. Describing the proposed changes as an "ill thought quick fix" seems a bit rich considering the extraordinarily long time its taken and the endless debate that has been occurring around the issue. Then claiming that the rural sector is being "foot tripped every step of the way" is pitiful. How many resource consents have EVER been turned down on an application to install a frost fan? NONE. If that is 'foot tripping', I'd hate to see them get assistance! As for any implication from both him and Jill Bunting that there has been any form of discussions between affected residents, Council and the NZ Wine growers, that is pure fiction. The only interaction has been filing of submissions, court appearances and curt words over the fence. There's been no indication of a desire to mediate or negotiate, probably on account of the separation of significant foreign (not local) ownership of the vineyards themselves. Why would the owner care? They don't live there. Send in the lawyers.

Secondly Jill Bunting. "This is a fair outcome for everyone". What on earth? Yeah, all those people with their houses 100m away from a mechanical noise maker are thanking you now Jill. All those people whose houses are currently surrounded by fans are probably worshiping an effigy of you as I write. "Monitoring of existing machines was taking place". Eh? Where? Do you mean the abortive efforts by Neil Morris a couple of years ago that were so flawed that a separate report had to be written to explain how a 5dB penalty should be subtracted not added? perhaps you mean the testing earlier this year down the Waihopai valley? Good start, only took four years of complaints to action and then we have still not seen the results. THERE IS NO MONITORING. That's why Mr Maassen has said that there needs to be some!

I see Malcolm and Paul got a couple of digs in. But really they're stuffed aren't they? Since their problems can't be fixed by this change, all they can do is hope that things improve for some other soul in an unaffected part of Marlborough (if it exists).

What's missing here?

Excerpt from the summary of the agenda for the upcoming Environment Committee Meeting to be held on the 24th (Monday) of August (be there!);

"The permitted activity rules in the resource management plans for managing noise generated from the use of wind machines for frost protection have proven to be difficult to implement. There has been difficulty in knowing whether all of the wind machines currently in place have actually met the permitted activity standards, prior to the machines being installed. In this regard the rules can not be considered to be effective."

Rules not effective! Really! How long did it take before this was worked out?

Activity rules from wind machines difficult to implement? How about "impossible!" Or more like "never done?". Call it what it really is... THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN MONITORED.

Herein lies one of the big problems with this rule change; no provision is made for monitoring compliance! They will be left in the same boat as before. The rules are made for a single fan when in many cases the cumulative effects will be to blame. Get with the program. If the Environment Court says that cumulative noise is a problem, you need to recognise it! Otherwise you will be wasting more of the ratepayers money getting your arse dragged back through the Courts.

Definitions

Plan: Have the will and intention to carry out some action; "The Marlborough District Council plan to protect the health of residents".

Integrity: Moral soundness; "The Marlborough District Council have acted with integrity when faced with difficult decisions"

Duty: Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons; "The Marlborough District Council have a duty to protect the environment."

Responsibility: The trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct; "The Marlborough District Council are fulfilling their responsibilities under the RMA and Health Acts"

Rudderless: Lacking in direction, control, or coherence; "The Marlborough District Council are rudderless in the face of providing sound policy "

Inept: Displaying a lack of judgment, sense, or reason; "The Marlborough District Council have been inept in their handling of frost fan resource consents"

Hypocrisy: A show or expression of feelings or beliefs one does not actually hold or possess; "The Marlborough District Council have displayed hypocrisy in dealing with the human impact of frost fan noise"

Clueless: Totally uninformed about what is going on or not having even a clue from which to infer what is occurring; "The Marlborough District Council have been clueless in the pursuit of suitable monitoring methodologies for frost fans"

Indifferent: Showing no care or concern in attitude or action; "The Marlborough District Council are indifferent to the health of the residents"

Definitions of words and examples of their use in everyday language. Some examples are more believable than others.

Is there any sense of responsibility?

With the upcoming meeting of the Marlborough District Council's Environmental Policy Committee (Monday the 24th of August at 1:30pm) the Frost Fan issue will get another public hearing.

A casual observer would have to ask themselves just what the hell is going on?

One group of people want to grow grapes and another want to sleep at night. The two activities should be able to be carried out simultaneously. This is not rocket science.

The problem comes about because of a lack of identifying the problem and acting to ensure that it won't impact either party.

The fault lies predominantly with the Marlborough District Council in its lack of fortitude and an inability to take responsibility for ensuring the productivity of the land and the health of its residents are adequately addressed.

The end result is a situation where one party has an imbalance of affect over the other, and logically the squealing has begun.

Now residents cannot sleep and are livid at a failure to protect their basic right to sleep and growers in a need to try and protect themselves from a potential kneejerk action (now that the mater of the legal ramifications of poisoning the environment are raised) are having to look like idiots by claiming that the current measures themselves are too draconian.

In the middle is the MDC. Happy to let the ship of fools sail on so long as their own personal interests are not impacted.

Or are they going to take some responsibility for the situation?