Plan may end Tuki Tuki waste discharge

Central Hawke's Bay wastewater could be discharged to land, instead of into the river, by summer if the regional council decides to  lend CHB the funds.

Hawke's Bay regional councillors today were due to discuss  whether to approve a loan of $800,000 to the Central Hawke's Bay District Council.  Staff suggested it be interest-free for the first year.

The issue was left on the regional council's table  after last month's meeting so councillors could get more information from staff.

A loan from a fund to help small communities install wastewater systems would allow wastewater to be discharged to council land a year earlier, reducing the amount being discharged into the Tukituki River.

CHB councillor Tim Gilbertson said protecting and improving water quality was one of the regional council's core functions, so councillors should advance the money: "But it should come with some cast iron guarantees that the thing will be finished on time and within budget."

The project had been in progress for 10 years and had veered off track at some points, he said.

"It's been such a long, involved process. In the interest of getting this thing going it's a good idea to fund that money."

The funds would come from a $1 million fund the regional council already had, so would cost  it nothing but lost interest, he said.

The funds would mean infrastructure could be installed this summer for wastewater to be piped from Waipawa's oxidation ponds to the council-owned blocks of land, which were planted with trees last year. The same process would be repeated for Waipukurau wastewater next year.

At the moment, wastewater from both sites goes into the Tukituki River.

At this stage the CHB council has budgeted to install the pipes from Waipawa next year and from Waipukurau the year after.

At July's council meeting, regional councillor Ewan McGregor said he could not see himself supporting an interest-free loan if Central Hawke's Bay had failed to meet  its obligations.

A number of councillors questioned the use of the $1 million, which was originally intended to help  small communities reduce their dependence on septic tanks. Only Waipatiki, through the Hastings District Council, took advantage of the available funding.

Councillors will consider the issue and make a recommendation at today's meeting. Their decision will be confirmed at next week's full council meeting.