'Need is not limited to Lakes in Tauriko, but also to city infill requirements...”
Along with R Paterson (Sun 23 July) as a new councillor, in 2007, I too had concerns regarding the proposed Southern Pipeline project being the assessed need and the cost and accordingly the Council agreed that a Peer Review of the entire project was required.
This Peer Review covered the need and also looked at new processes, for the treatment of wastewater, along with other options and after spending in the vicinity of $400,000 came up with the conclusion that the only realistic way forward was to proceed as initially planned.
The possibility a wastewater plant being installed at Tauriko was also considered and whilst a plant could quite easily be built the major problem was ultimately the disposal of the treated waste which would have amounted to thousands of cubic metres of treated wastewater a day.
It was considered highly unlikely that a consent for the disposal of the treated waste direct into the Kopurererua Stream and then into the Waikareao Estuary, would ever be approved, and this therefore meant that if a wastewater treatment plant was build at Tauriko a pipeline, out to sea and carrying the treated waste, would also need to be built and consents obtained also for this option.
The need for the Southern Pipeline is also just not limited to the Lakes, in Tauriko, but also to city infill requirements accordingly the pipeline will service the entire city for many years to come. Contrary to R Paterson's assertion it will not cost ratepayers $1,000 pa as a large proportion of the cost is being funded by future development levies.
The Council is constantly looking at ways to minimise the cost and impact of this major city infrastructure requirement but unless we do something quickly untreated wastewater could commence bubbling up in the streets, in some areas of the city, and this is obviously entirely unacceptable.
Cr. Mike Baker, Bethlehem.