Pollution fears have created strong opposition to a sewerage scheme Whangarei District Council approved nearly three years ago.
More than 500 people have made submissions opposing a discharge permit for the Whangarei Heads scheme since it became known that raw sewage could escape into the harbour if the system failed.
Only18 people have made submissions in favour of the consent.
The number of submissions against the scheme is nearly double the number received for the massive development of a new port at Marsden Point.
More than 160 of those making submissions want speaking rights at a hearing of the Northland Regional Council later this month.
Meanwhile, work on the $2.7 million first stage of the scheme, which will serve 252 properties near Waikaraka, is nearing completion.
The total cost is expected to be $7.29 million. The council will pay about two-thirds of the cost, and current property owners are being asked for $3539 each. The council is planning to recoup about half its money from people moving into the area, which is growing at a rate of 5 per cent a year.
Councillors who voted for the scheme to go ahead (those seeking re-election marked with an asterisk) were: Mayor Craig Brown*, Graeme Broughton*, Crichton Christie*, Wayne Hill, Pamela Peters*, Wally Redwood*, Isopo Samu* and Phil Halse* . Those against were Robin Lieffering*, Neil McLeod*, Frits Visser and John Wilson*. Councillors Terry Herman and Don Sargent were absent.
