The Kate Valley Landfill dispute - an analysis of the avoidability of conflict when siting local unpopular land uses

Abstract

This dissertation examines the extent to which conflict can be avoided when siting local unpopular land uses (LULU's), focusing on the proposed Kate Valley Landfill in Canterbury. The dissertation outlines the background to the Kate Valley Landfill conflict, and then explores the idea that some issues within a conflict may be non-negotiable. The study then goes on to examine the argument that most typical NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issues are potentially negotiable, outlines Alternative Environmental Dispute Resolution (AEDR) and Constructive Confrontation techniques, and considers whether they may have been able to reduce the level of conflict within the individual disputes contained in the overlying Kate Valley Landfill dispute. This was done by conducting 12 semi-structured interviews with a group of submitters that were opposed to the landfill. Finally, the study concludes by reiterating the findings of the study and makes some suggestions for future research.