The green light has been given to build a new wastewater disposal system at Mahia Beach with the granting of Resource Consent by the Environment Court yesterday.

The ruling was released following over a month of careful consideration of evidence produced at a week- long hearing held in early November.

In their report, Judges C J Thompson, S R Clark and Environment Commisioner H M Beaumont said that the case presented by Wairoa District Council was a sound one, and that the important aspect in such a case was that they had all the information available by which to make a decision.

“We believe we have that – we heard the full spectrum of opinion, clearly and powerfully expressed.”

The proposed scheme involves building treatment ponds in the hills behind the Mahia Beach settlement, with a disposal field into a new area of forestry.

In terms of environmental impact, the decision said effects of the scheme on the nearby Whangawehi Stream would be “positive” due to decreased stock access, and that the proposed planting of the forest around the treatment ponds would help to stablise the erosion-prone land.

“Probably most important of all, the public health risks of a poorly performing sewerage system will be eliminated,” the decision said.

WDC Engineering Manager Neil Cook said the decision was reflective of the effort that had gone into creating the proposal.

“The ruling from the court reinforces the solidity of what we are proposing to do. This seal of approval means that we can now move forward in creating a system that is going to have a positive impact on both the environment and the community at Mahia Beach long into the future,” he said.

Several conditions were attached to the proposal, mainly concerned with monitoring and riparian planting. Mr Cook said these conditions were expected and not unreasonable.

Moving forward, WDC could now focus on finalising designs and a financial model for Council to consider. A central government subsidy of $3.5 million is available until June 2013.

“There is a lot of work to do between now and then,” Mr Cook said.

Payment options would be part of the financial planning. At present, the most Mahia Beach ratepayers

would be expected to pay is estimated at $15,000 per typical household.

Mr Cook said Council would be looking at a range of payment options to make this cost realistic for ratepayers to bear.

“We will begin talking to individual households in the new year to establish a clearer picture of final costs,” he said.

ENDS

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