Residents of the Papakura Camp are safe from the use of CS gas (tear-gas) according to information received by Hunua MP Warren Kyd.

Following several complaints to him and newspaper articles which he read, Mr Kyd wrote to the Minister of Defence expressing concern about the use of CS gas and wondering why it was being used if the gas was, as alleged, dangerous.

The matter is particularly important Mr Kyd believes in view of the fact that the Camp is occupied by the Papakura Golf Club, Grove Park accommodation, Ammi’s Inn and the Amworth School, all of which were very close to the Special Air Services facility where the gas is used. In fact the Camp area is quite heavily populated when one includes Army personnel.

The Minister assured Mr Kyd that the amounts released on any occasion are relatively small and in all but the most extreme wind conditions will disperse into the atmosphere without ill effect. The Army does have the right to exclude members of the public from the area but in view of the relative safety they will not need to be excluded often. The right to exclude people is stipulated in the leases or licences held by the tenants.

Mr Kyd hopes that this will give some reassurance to those who have expressed concern.

ENDS

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