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Media Release

15 June 2012

HBRC to closely monitor progress of CHB wastewater solution

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will be closely monitoring the progress of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s sewerage system upgrade.

CHB District Council has just announced it has chosen a $6 million floating wetlands proposal and HBRC will be writing to CHB District Council to ensure it meets its resource consent conditions for wastewater discharge with the latest solution.

HBRC had offered to assist CHB District Council with a land-based sewage treatment solution to wastewater which, subject to consent would have meant the wastewater was out of the Tukituki River this summer, when it has the major impact on water quality. However CHB District Council has rejected this solution in favour of the cheaper floating wetland proposal.

HBRC Chief Executive Andrew Newman says CHB District Council will need to satisfy HBRC that the design of the floating wetlands proposal will deliver the required standards by deadline of 2014.

“We will be writing to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council to reiterate the requirement for it to meet the required standards of its discharge consent within two years,” says Mr Newman.

HBRC had purchased land and planted it for use as part of the proposed land-based sewage treatment solution and offered to have staff manage the project to ensure it was completed in the required timeframe.

Mr Newman says HBRC will retain the land as it was purchased and planted as part of the organisation’s overall forestry investment portfolio with the understanding CHBDC may not use it for its wastewater system.

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