I read with amusement the current fiasco on completion of Southern Sewage Pipeline from Matapihi Road across to Te Maunga Wastewater Plant.

Background taken from Council CEO Report in 2007, there had been significant consultation with local tribes and in particular the Matapihi group.

Subsequently an RMA Consent was obtained for the pipeline in 2007/2008 and I cannot recall any meaningful Maori interest submissions or objections at hearings. At that time it must have been known the pipeline would go down Matapihi Road and then across to Te Maunga? Suddenly, after eight years and completely out of left field, we have this carping over using the paper road.

The question to be asked is whether a paper road over Maori land is any different from a paper road over public general land?

If there's no difference or it's not a Maori roadway, then simply remove the 12 avocado trees which shouldn't be planted on a ‘paper road' and proceed.

The Southern Pipeline is an unnecessary and obscenely expensive project without this garbage.

Someone is accountable here, either TCC have stuffed up or others are playing dog in the manger!

Personally, I would shut the pipeline off, do not proceed with the harbour crossing and simply wear the losses on the Matapihi side.

Then go back to square one and construct a satellite sewage station at Tauriko for a fraction of the $300 million-plus estimate for Southern Pipeline.

R Paterson, Tauranga