Stream restoration and planting has been proposed by Hamilton City Council as part of its fine for a spill of sewage from the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant last July.
Council appeared in court this week for sentencing following earlier pleading guilty to the spill of 112 cu m of partiallytreated sewage sludge.
Sentencing was delayed until November and the court indicated support for a request that a restorative justice package be a key part of any penalty for the event.
Stream restoration, planting and fencing in the vicinity of the spill and along the unnamed tributary of the Waikato River, with planting in Pukete Farm Park, the treatment park grounds and in nearby horse paddocks has been mooted. The council, Waikato Regional Council, which laid the charge and others will work to reach agreement on the most appropriate action.
City council infrastructure general manager Chris Allen apologised for the spill and said council employees had a great respect for the river and understood its significance to the region.
"We are pleased a restorative justice approach has been supported.
"Protecting the environment is an important part of the work we do as an organisation and we are always looking at ways to improve our processes and practices.
"Immediately following this spill we carried out a thorough and independent investigation.
