Coromandel 1080 vote pondered

A referendum on the use of aerial 1080 poison on the Coromandel Peninsula could be held by the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

The council has been asked to review its support for aerial 1080 as a method of pest control, following decisions by the Taupo and Westland district councils to stop using 1080 on their reserves and to lobby for its discontinuation by government agencies.

A group of anti-1080 campaigners attended a meeting of the council on Wednesday and urged councillors to support the review.

Spokeswoman Reihana Robinson said although the council was not responsible for approving the use of 1080, it had a legal responsibility to promote the wellbeing of its residents.

Opposition to the use of 1080 was too strong for the council to ignore, she said. She presented a copy of a petition, signed by more than 5000 people, which has been presented to Coromandel MP Sandra Goudie.

Councillor Dal Minogue later put a notice of motion calling for a review of the council's position on 1080. This could include a referendum. Councillors decided to ask for staff advice on the issue and to defer a decision on the motion until next month.