Alternative waste system demo denied permission
Wednesday 28th April 2010, 2:30PM BST.
Rodney Brouard and the rapidly-filling Mont Cuet tip. (Montage by John O’Neill)
PUBLIC SERVICES has turned down businessman Rodney Brouard’s request to set up a Vantage Waste Processor at Longue Hougue.
Mr Brouard, who campaigned against the Suez incinerator and gathered a petition claimed to bear more than 13,000 signatures, had intended to demonstrate the technology at the site but yesterday deputy Public Services minister Scott Ogier said it was too early to bring over a system.
‘We are working from a clean sheet as far as the island’s waste strategy is concerned, so we cannot rule out the possibility that the Vantage system might have a role to play in the future. However, at this stage it would be premature to start building demonstration plants at Longue Hougue.’
The deputy said the department also had to be even-handed. ‘We would not wish to dismiss any solution this early, but nor can we be seen to favour one. That could potentially compromise any future tendering process.’
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So why wont they allow Mr Brouard the chance to demonstrate the concept?
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Its time Rodney realised that he has no chance of establishing this system even if its the best and cheapest possible solution, for the following reasons
He has ruffled the feathers of the establishment, all of whom are still sitting on the relevent committees that will, if not decide,recommend to the States which path to follow.
He is a Guernseyman, and the recommending bodies seem to be programmed to exclude companies whose company, and directors profits stay in the Island, they will choose a company from outside the Island who will eventually crank up their prices to achieve the highest possible returns,Taking all profits elsewhere
And he is offering a free trial run, whoever heard of that, yes a free run, Try it, if you dont like it send it away,
Had he said for 11 million they could try it, the States would probably have torn his arm off to grab the pen to sign up
Our States – unbelievable
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So the States have denied Mr Brouard permission to demonstrate his alternative Vantage Waste Plant here in Guernsey. As I understand it this would not have cost the States anything. However the States say that they are going to go see it in action in the UK instead – so how much is that going to cost us?! They could have viewed it in action in Guernsey and at the same time given the general public a chance to see it too. Perhaps that is why they are now going to pay to send a group of deputies over to the uk, thus denying the ordinary taxpayer of seeing what this Waste Processor can do.
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My word, and I thought that Laurel and Hardy were funny, big mistake:;
They the funny ones who cry out for enterprise, deny a man the rights of all men to show something that could be beneficial to all the Island.
Methinks this is a case of sour Grapes. or if you wish—————–
“You can’t come and play in my yard, you can’t swing on my gate—-
What load of bloney childish attitudes these so-called politicians have
Get off your high horse and allow new thinking in.
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Don’t sack Vantage waste plant free demo!!! SACK THE BOARD, they havn’t a clue what they are up to,and give us back OUR Island, as the GUERN wants it. Roy
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Watch out states members, next thing the Guernsey Boys might be towing away your cars.
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Do I detect a spoilt brat attitude amongst the states,we want,we want,we want and forget the others.How dare someone steal are limelight.
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Sorry Rodney but they got it in for you!
I think everyone can see exactly what is going on here. What a complete waste of space,time and money the psd are.
oh well back on the merry-go-round.
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Scott Ogier is mixing up two separate processes here I think in trying to justify the standstill. On the one hand anyone can approach the States and ask for the use of their land (opportunity cost – so not strictly free) to demonstrate something for free. I could ask to draw a big chalk message on that site saying “Aliens Land Here” to prove that aliens exist. The dept must have a view on whether it is trivial matter, whether it is really going to cost something and whether it is useful. It can makes its mind up on Rodney’s proposal on that basis – as there is no tendering process underway this decision is made without showing favour to a supplier since the States have NOT asked for suppliers to step forward. No angry Lurgi or Suez could touch the States if it made that decision today. Scott is conflating this decision with what he thinks may be the position at some time in the future – he is guessing that the States will ask people like Vantage to throw their hat into the ring. He is pre-empting a policy he thinks the States may pass. So what will happen if Vantage get to demonstrate on States ground today? The first major piece of information (ahead of cost) that the States would ask of a supplier is “does it work?”. Well, they would get that answer. If it does not then Scott’s tendering process will no doubt be kicked off with a vengeance and some very useful metrics to share on how our waste can be processed. And if it does work…who in the States will then vote to spend money on a new tendering process? No tendering process means no chance of being sued for breach of tender. The issue here seems to be “does the States trust itself to forego the tendering process and make a future decision in favour of X if X could prove that it works?” I don’t think the current board have the guts/will to propose this to the States or the trust of the public to manage this process. Meanwhile if X, Y and Z all shout that they want a chance to prove something at no cost then would that not be a more useful activity for the board to manage today than mumbling about having to fill in a “clean sheet” of paper over the next year? Move the goalposts nearer to you – don’t ask the world next year how to solve a 100 yr problem when you can ask them today to prove they can solve a 1 year problem.
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Hey there;
hang on a bit; did you say THEIR land.
wrong, it’s our land ours the Islanders land; the
States have control in our name- not as their divine right.-
Far too long they have swelled their heads over the rights and wrongs of things.
They are servants of the Public-That’s us.
This dictatorial attitude of theirs must stop- do as the Islanders wish or get out NOW. no more of this resign business- if you resign that’s it get out clear your desk and GO.-
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ichsaz
I compliment you on the best post I have read on here on any subject in a long time, excellent stuff.
If there was a nail anywhere you would have hit it right on the head.
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I’m with you all the way.It has become more and more apparent that the friendly,warm,Guernseyman has been raped pillaged and plundered by those immigrants that think they know what needs doing and who upset those of us that do. Roll on the next election!
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