What’s behind the development of the new wastewater schemes?
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Onsite Effluent Treatment Regional Plan, has earmarked Maketu and Little Waihi as “Maintenance Zones.” Maintenance Zones require an advanced wastewater treatment system and/or community wastewater reticulation scheme to treat the effluent to a higher quality before disposal to ground and/or water to comply with Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s requirements.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is assisting communities located within maintenance zones by investigating suitable community wastewater schemes.
Will these communities be opened up for growth once a new wastewater scheme is in place?
SmartGrowth – the 50 year plan to manage growth in Western Bay and Tauranga – has identified that little growth will occur in Maketu and Little Waihi over the long term.
Will properties be able to subdivide in the future? Under Council’s District Plan, which contains rules around what can and can’t be done when it comes to development in your backyard, street or community, properties will not be able to subdivide to less than 800 square metres once the new wastewater scheme is in place.
Once the new scheme is built what impact will it have on improving water quality and the environment in general?
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is working with Bay of Plenty Regional Council to ensure that treated effluent from the proposed new wastewater treatment plant meets the required water quality standards before it is disposed into the environment.
To this end, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council is looking at the most economical or, lowest – cost scheme that, when properly maintained, is friendly to the environment.
Is any help available from central government to pay for the scheme?
The Ministry of Health has provided $10.5 million towards a community wastewater scheme.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has offered an additional $1.6 million.
Total existing subsidies are $12.1 million.
The current subsidies will approximately cover a third of the overall wastewater scheme costs. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council will continue to examine opportunities for additional sources of funding as the scheme progresses.
What if I’m building a new house and need to put in an on-site wastewater system? Will I be able to use this system with the new wastewater scheme? Will I be reimbursed for this system if it cannot be used?
Until the new wastewater scheme is operational, the requirement is for an on-site wastewater system to be put in place, however once the new scheme is operational this system will not be able to be used. It is unlikely there will be additional funding to help pay for existing systems that cannot be used with the new scheme.
What if there is a maintenance problem or no electricity to run the new system?
The new system will offer 24 hour storage in the unlikely event that a problem does occur it should be fixed by Council within 24 hours.
Can you explain what the Uniform Annual Cost is and what does it include?
The Uniform Annual Cost or UAC is the cost that residents will need to pay for the new wastewater scheme. The UAC is made up of two parts:
a) capital cost to repay the new wastewater scheme (approximately 10 - 15% of the UAC), and;
b) Operation and maintenance cost to operate and maintain the new scheme (approximately 85 - 90% of the UAC).
Do we have the option of installing an advanced onsite treatment system and not connecting to a community scheme?
If the proposed wastewater scheme is installed, households will be required to connect to the Council scheme even if they have an advanced treatment system.
What are the consequences for Maketu and Little Waihi if a Council scheme doesn't proceed?
If your property is identified on the maintenance zone in the current OSET Regional Plan 2006 you have until 1 December 2010 to improve the discharge quality of your effluent. This deadline may be extended to 1 December 2013 as it is currently under review at Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
For further information please call Bay of Plenty Regional Council 0800 368267 or check their website: www.envbop.govt.nz
Does Council have written confirmation of subsidies from Central Government and the Regional Council?
Yes