A second comprehensive report on the state of Hamilton’s wastewater network will be taken to the Council meeting on 26 June, outlining options for Elected Members to consider for enabling development in constrained areas.

The report contains updates on adjusting risk settings and reprioritising budgets to enable capacity.

The report recommends the $10.6 million reactive wastewater budget is prioritised for constrained areas, and used to support upgrades to enable developments by analysing the benefits against a range of criteria.

Another consideration is whether to adjust risk settings for managing wastewater.

Earlier this month, Elected Members participated in a workshop with staff to explore risk options to balance compliance with housing and economic outcomes.

Feedback from this workshop suggested Elected Members are more receptive to risk than staff recommend in some areas – including interim developer-led solutions and the extent to which development should be enabled ahead of the necessary infrastructure being in place.

Directions given by Elected Members at the 26 June meeting will form the basis of a further Information Session for more detailed discussions.

“There’s no silver bullet for unlocking these constrained areas, and any change to our risk tolerances will need a full analysis” said General Manager of Infrastructure and Assets, Andrew Parsons.

“Managing wastewater in a high-growth city is complex. We’re balancing regulatory and compliance requirements, the health of the environment, the need for housing, and the economic benefits of growth,” said Parsons.

The report also provides an update on the work happening to make constrained areas, and planned investment more visible to the community.

Council’s website has been updated with a map showing constrained areas. By the end of the month, a web-based self-service tool will be available, that shows where the network is constrained and the nature of the constraint. Another map will show what (if any) investments Council has planned to address the constraint, and indicative timing of that investment.

The report also includes part one of an independent review into Council’s management of wastewater.

Part one of the report concludes that given the unique regulatory environment with wastewater overflows prohibited, and the growth Hamilton is experiencing, Council has taken a “prudent” approach.

Part two of the independent review is under development and will be added as a late attachment to the meeting agenda.

View the report

Constraints on the wastewater network in parts of Hamilton are limiting development in some suburbs, but significant infrastructure investment is enabling it in others.

A report was produced for Council’s 8 April Strategic Growth and District Plan Committee highlighting the challenges Council is facing to increase network capacity to meet growth, maintain compliance with water standards, and meet obligations to protect the Waikato River.

A resolution at the meeting requested staff provide more information and options for adjusting risk settings on wastewater management, and facilitate an independent review of wastewater management decisions.

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