Drinking water delay means no Blue Bay Xmas for new owners

The entrance to the Blue Bay subdivison at Mahia. Photo / File

More than 30 new landowners at Blue Bay in Mahia are locked out for Christmas because of a delay in connecting drinking water to the development.

Real estate agent Bayleys earlier this year sold 35 sections across a 2.9ha area of the waterfront Blue Bay subdivision for about $3.5 million.

The site was previously landscaped into the genesis of an exclusive residential enclave, complete with paved avenues and installing infrastructure, including street lighting, sewerage, drainage and a water supply system

However, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said it was taking time to ensure drinking water connected.

"The Wairoa District Council is working hard to get the necessary infrastructure in place for the development at Blue Bay.

"Work is progressing at the Blue Bay site on a series of activities with the main focus on getting a new consent to supply drinking water.

"Council staff have begun work and we really appreciate the patience of new landowners at Blue Bay.

"The Havelock North situation has changed the whole landscape in terms of providing good clean drinking water and there is still a bit of work to be done".

"We know that the new landowners are keen to move in as soon as possible, but when it comes to drinking water it's really important that we get this right.

"It is unlikely that the requisite infrastructure for providing good drinkable water to Blue Bay will be in place before Christmas, it is looking like this process will take a while and [the] council anticipate the drinking water system will be functioning within six to 10 months.

"Staff are continuing to look at other parts of the development as well and it's been really busy for them.

"They've started work on street lighting and footpaths.

"I know this isn't an ideal situation, but it's the situation that we find ourselves in and I want to assure everyone that council staff are working as hard as they can to get this up and running as quickly as possible.

"I really want to acknowledge the landowners for their patience and understanding."