MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, June 08, 2015

Horizons supports option for wastewater treatment plant

Horizons Regional Council is supportive of a proposal that would see the renewal of Palmerston North City Council’s wastewater treatment plant consent brought forward from 2028 to 2022.

Details of the proposal are part of a submission made by PNCC to the panel of commissioners hearing a review of the conditions of PNCC’s consent to discharge wastewater to the Manawatu River. The submission includes a letter of support from Horizons Regional Council.

The proposed approach could reduce the cost to ratepayers, accelerate construction of a new or improved wastewater treatment plant, and improve water quality in the Manawatu River.

The proposal will now be considered by commissioners who are reviewing the conditions of the consent held by PNCC for the discharge of its wastewater.

Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon says Horizons met with Palmerston North City Council representatives to discuss areas of common ground following the release of an interim decision by commissioners in February 2015.

The interim decision supported the view that the discharge from the wastewater treatment plant was having an impact on the life supporting capacity of the River and proposed a set of new consent conditions to be met by 2022. The commissioners then asked parties to the review process for their comments.

“With the plant’s existing consent due for renewal in 2028, it makes sense to consider bringing the consenting timeline forward in order to construct a sustainable solution for the benefit of the River,” Mr Gordon says.

“Under this proposed approach, construction of any new or improved treatment facilities would take place in the years following 2022 and be completed many years earlier than would otherwise have been the case.”

Horizons strategy and regulation group manager Nic Peet says the proposal would also allow PNCC to implement a single solution to meet all consent conditions. However, it is important to note that nothing has been decided in regards to this proposal at this stage.

“There are a number of parties involved in the consent review process. We have worked with PNCC to develop this proposed option and is now in the hands of the commissioners whether they wish to uphold their original decision or reopen the hearing for discussion with all parties,” he says.

Palmerston North City Council provided information regarding this proposed approach to the hearing panel on Monday 8 June.

ENDS

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