Boundaries of an aerial 1080-drop in Northern Buller will be pushed back further away from people's houses, after concerned locals fought against the initial proposal.
TBfree New Zealand announced today that it was amending its plans for the Buller North aerial 1080 possum control operation, which would now be delayed until February-March 2015.
The drop was initially planned between October 15 and Christmas.
Locals worried that the proposed boundaries were only 200 metres from a number of properties had written to TBfree and to the West Coast medical officer of health, asking that the boundaries be pushed back two kilometres.
TBfree New Zealand northern South Island programme manager Matthew Hickson said some boundaries for the planned operation would be changed in response to community concerns about proximity to water supplies and residential areas. He did not say how far back the boundaries would go.
"We have listened to the community and as a result we are planning to push the boundaries of the operation further away from the Hector, Granity and Millerton areas in particular."
Millerton local Chrissi Douglashill said she was pleased to hear that some boundaries would be pushed back, but was eager to find out whether it would be the full 2km, as many locals had requested. She believed 2km was the minimum distance away from 1080 pellets that people needed to be to be "reasonably safe".
All in all, the decision to move the boundary was "a positive step forward".
She hoped due consideration had been given to Granity School, which had concerns that the original drop boundary was too close to both its grounds and its water supply.
Further communication promised
Locals have also been angry over the communication they received from TBfree and Vector Control Services (VCS), the West Coast Regional Council company contracted to carry out the drop.
Millerton's Jo Douglas told November's Buller District Council meeting that some people who lived along the boundary, were unaware that the drop had been planned. People living along the boundary were supposed to be told in person, she said.
Mr Hickson said TBfree would send letters in mid-January to all affected parties, including all landowners within or adjacent to the operation. It would also organise a community meeting in early February to present the revised plan.
He also hoped to meet directly with those people who raised concerns through the Buller council or the West Coast medical officer of health.
VCS would arrange to visit landowners in the areas of most concern.
"We want to work with the community to deliver a safe, effective operation which will have major benefits both for bovine TB control and biodiversity protection."
West Coast medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton said she was comfortable TBfree had "gone a long way to address the community's concerns".
By Aimee Brill of the Westport News
