A $16.3 million sewerage system is to be installed at Maketu and Little Waihi following a historic decision that finally gets rid of septic tanks.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council decision this week ends a 12-year "journey" marked by mounting concerns about contamination from septic tank run-off.
Once completed, the
scheme will mean all Western Bay's main urban areas will have fully reticulated sewerage.
With $10.5 million of the costs met by the Government and $3.1 million by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, it would leave Maketu and Little Waihi ratepayers holding about $3.7 million (23 per cent) of the capital costs.
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said rates would rise an estimated $642 for each ratepayer, starting with a half increase of about $321 for the 2011-12 year.
It means that a good sized Maketu property with a reasonable house would face about a 19 per cent rates increase to pay for the scheme this year, followed by a further 16 per cent increase next year to bring it up to the full $642.
Mr Paterson said the council investigated an alternative wastewater treatment method recently suggested by some Maketu residents but it was not convinced it would satisfy resource consent conditions.
"The system the council is putting in place is internationally recognised, cost effective and low risk. The council was not prepared to jeopardise multimillion-dollar subsidies by changing tack to a scheme that did not have recognised credentials," he said.
The treatment system involves a small sewerage tank and attached grinder pump for each household. The waste water is ground up and then pumped to a new treatment station which would use technologies commonly in use in New Zealand.
Debate at Thursday's council meeting took place in committee. Mr Paterson said this was because the council was evaluating tenders.
The decision to proceed with the scheme was unanimous, he said.
The council will now finalise tenders and meet the Maketu and Little Waihi communities on April 14 to present full details, costs and time frames.
