Editorial: Act now to clean up our river

HBRC group manager resource management Iain Maxwell said his council did not play any part in the final selection of the wastewater treatment option or its design. Photo / Nicki Harper

One of the first places of natural beauty I encountered when I moved to Hawke's Bay was the Tukituki River.

As you drop down into the valley near Craggy Range, the river stretches before you and it must rank as one of the most spectacular river scenes around.

The river always looks so inviting. You just want to stop the car and dive right into it.

However, having seen the reports on the "serious concerns" the Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) has about the Central Hawke's Bay District Council's new $6 million wastewater plant, I am not sure I would want to stick a big toe in the river.

It is all very well councils spending ratepayers' money, but they need to be accountable for that expenditure. I am glad the HBRC is telling the CHBDC that it needs to have a "clear plan" on how it intends to modify the wastewater plant to meet stricter standards.

The regional council's report showed that despite a recent upgrade, harmful bacteria and wastewater were being released into the Tukituki River at unacceptable levels.

HBRC group manager resource management Iain Maxwell said his council did not play any part in the final selection of the wastewater treatment option or its design, and its role was now to ensure CHBDC met the required standards.

It is time for CHBDC mayor Peter Butler and his council to sort the problem out. It is not just a Central Hawke's Bay problem, it is something that affects all of us.

Mr Butler's chief executive John Freeman says his council has "a plan of attack," and is waiting for the final report from an independent review into the plant.

Once that is done, it will be time for the mayor and his chief executive to front up.