Council votes to withdraw review notice

Horizons Regional Councillors voted today to withdraw in principle the notice of review for Palmerston North’s wastewater treatment plant in favour of an expedited re-consenting process which will see a new consent in place by 2022 instead of 2028.

Horizons identified a number of steps that have to be taken before the review can be formally withdrawn. These include Palmerston North City Council formally applying for a variation to their existing consent and the two councils agreeing on a funding arrangement for this process.

The decision follows Horizons’ support for a proposal put to the panel of commissioners by PNCC in June as part of a review of the City’s current consent to discharge wastewater to the Manawatu River.

Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon says the decision of Council to withdraw its notice of review was not one made lightly and aligns with guidance received from the panel.

“The approach agreed between the two councils will have greater benefits for the River and City long-term as the current review can only focus on the conditions of the existing resource consent,” Mr Gordon said.

“However, by bringing the consent renewal process forward we can holistically look at all options surrounding management of the City’s wastewater into the future, including land based disposal. This approach will also significantly reduce the cost to the Councils’ joint ratepayer base as PNCC will be able to implement a single, sustainable solution.

“It’s pleasing to see the two councils now working together to find a practicable answer to what has been a very lengthy process.”

With the decision made, Horizons will now work through an alternative process with PNCC to vary the conditions of its current consent and require a new consent to be lodged in 2022.

Horizons strategy and regulation group manager Nic Peet said a new consent will be informed by One Plan regulations, the National Policy Statement for Freshwater and evidence presented during the current review as well as further public consultation and expert opinion.

“The process will build in a set of very public steps that must be taken prior to the consent application being lodged and there is a strong desire from both councils for a high level of community input,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media