11. Question No. 11—EnvironmentSIMON COURT (ACT) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 11—Environment11. SIMON COURT (ACT) to the Minister for the Environment: What advice has he received on when the aluminium dross and ouvea premix will be removed from its current storage in Mataura?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): The aluminium dross has been stored in the Mataura warehouse since about 2011. In July 2019 a contract was entered into between central government local government the landlord and the smelter for its removal. Since then 2065 tonnes have been removed and under that contract removal is due to be complete by August 2022. In addition there are attempts to have the dross moved more quickly. That matter is currently before the Environment Court in a case primarily between the Environmental Defence Society and New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter Ltd although the Crown is a party. Environment Court Judge Newhook has been attempting to mediate a solution. For the benefit of the member I draw his attention to the most recent minute of Judge Newhook which was dated 12 November and said—I quote The aim remains to [remove] it by Christmas (possibly weather-dependent) subject to the remaining issues being finalised". I can advise the member that I am under some restrictions as to what I can say but it's obvious that those issues have not yet been finalised and that it's unlikely that the remaining dross will be removed by Christmas.Simon Court: What actions has the Minister taken beyond the letter he wrote to New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter in March?Hon DAVID PARKER: Well actually many. The legal situation in respect of legal responsibility for the dross is complex—in part because some dross in some parts of Southland no matter what the original underlying legal issues were some of those issues were compromised by earlier Governments in negotiations relating to the smelter to keep it open. In respect of the dross in the Mataura smelter it's further complicated by the fact that the corporate entity that had responsibility for its removal went into liquidation. The liquidator disclaimed responsibility for it and everyone including the smelter denies legal responsibility for it. I have been reluctant to cause the Crown to pick up the bill for all of it. That said in an effort to spend money on its removal rather than on legal proceedings the Crown has so far committed about $1 million to its removal in addition to process costs. The smelter has promised to stump up with slightly more than that and of course there is the court proceeding to which I have earlier referred.Simon Court: So what actions will the Minister now be taking to ensure the safety of the residents of Mataura who are living next to this toxic waste site before Christmas?Hon DAVID PARKER: Well before Christmas it's unlikely that anything further will be able to be resolved. It is a toxic site that has potential risks but I would also note so that we don't cause undue alarm—although concern is legitimate—there has been the highest flood on record the highest flood in more than 100 years and it didn't enter the warehouse. There was a fire onsite and water did not get into the dross. So whilst the situation is of cause for concern I wouldn't want to unduly alarm people."