Tarawera Sewerage Scheme

Following direction by elected members, RLC has restarted its injunction proceedings to ensure that the conditions on site are safe for everyone so work can resume on site once Iwi have provided their views on cultural risks mitigation.

This is a vital project to protect the health of the lakes and natural environment.

Lake Tarawera is a taonga tuku iho (ancestral treasure). This means that there is a deep connection to this lake for the Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi people.

It is also a taonga of real importance to the Tarawera community, Rotorua and Aotearoa New Zealand.

What’s happening?

Lake Tarawera water quality is dropping as untreated wastewater from septic tanks leaches into the Lake.

Wastewater reticulation (the system of pipes and channels used to collect and transport used water to treatment facilities) is one of the solutions we’re using to protect community health and Lake Tarawera.

Where is the project at?

The project is being completed in two stages:

Stage 1: Construction of the sewerage mains network (work started in May 2023, pipework installation under Tarawera Road is 90% complete). Map showing pipeline installation progress - (JPG, 267KB).

Stage 2: Connection of all properties to the network (no installations have started but conversations are underway with property owners).

Pipeline map

Tarawera Sewerage Scheme map of the pipeline. Click to enlarge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know more? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions which have been grouped under the following headings.

Lake Rotokākahi

Q: What consultation has been undertaken?

Council has been in discussions with iwi and hapū since 2015, beginning with the establishment of the Lake Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Steering Committee which included representatives from Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi, Māori landowners, the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Rotorua Lakes Council.

After adopting the reticulation proposal as a draft Council undertook wide community consultation as part of the Council’s 2021 – 2031 Long-term Plan. No objection to the project was raised and Council approved funding for the adopted option.

In addition to wide stakeholder consultation undertaken by the Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee and through the Council’s 2021/31 Long-term Plan, direct consultation with Rotokākahi Board of Control has been undertaken since 2023. This has included hui with engineers detailing the works, equipment to be used and how the preferred option was arrived at.

Q: Why was Lake Rotokākahi Board of Control (RBOC) not directly consulted?

The Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee* which explored the six options for sewerage management included representatives from: Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Māori land owners, the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association, Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Rotorua Lakes Council. A current member of the RBOC was part of that steering group.

*The Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee was community-led, not Council led.

Q: Why did direct consultation with Lake Rotokākahi Board of Control (RBOC) not start until 2023?

The Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee selected a preferred option in 2018 with input from various iwi entities. Following this, a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) was commissioned to gather feedback from all relevant mana whenua stakeholders, including the RBOC. The CIA incorporated the RBOC’s views and feedback.

Direct consultation with the RBOC then resumed as the pipeline approached Lake Rotokākahi to ensure appropriate cultural monitoring of the 1km installation of pipeline opposite Lake Rotokākahi.

Q: Why were the concerns and opposition regarding the Tarawera Road pipeline route along Rotokākahi not addressed or mitigated?

The Cultural Impact Assessment identified concerns related to the route, and these concerns were incorporated into the project’s operational procedures. While opposition to the pipeline was noted, the Council's decision to proceed with the adopted option took into account several considerations, including the need for effective and efficient solutions, achieving environmental and health objectives, and managing costs for the wider community.

Q: Is the sewerage reticulation pipe going through Lake Rotokākahi?

No. The 1.0km (approx) length of polyethylene pipe will be installed 1 meter below the road surface. The closest it gets to Rotokākahi is about 17 metres, and it doesn’t cross the lake. Pipeline will cross the Wairoa stream, 2 metres underneath the concrete culverts - view a graphic representation of the pipeline under-stream crossing.

The amount of wastewater flows from Tarawera to the main Treatment Plant would be less than 2% of all the flows.

Q: How safe is the pipe?

The Polyethylene (PE) Pipe was chosen for its durability and flexibility. It performed well during the Christchurch earthquake. Here’s a quick breakdown:

The pipe has a continuous weld with high-quality control.
It’s designed to be stronger than the maximum pressure it will face.
After installation, the pipe is pressure tested.
Once in use, it has continuous pressure monitoring and will automatically shut off if there’s a loss of pressure.
It has a 100-year lifespan and has been reliably used in Rotorua for 15 years without any failures.

The Rotorua district already has 18km of wastewater pipes near waterways. This graph shows public wastewater pipelines located within 25m of a lake shore.

16 streams in the district have approximately 30 wastewater pipes, both pressure and gravity crossing them. Some streams have multiple crossings. There is a mix of above stream (e.g. pipe bridges, or attached to road bridges) and under-stream (e.g. drilled) crossings.

Q: What were the alternative options for the Scheme?

In 2018 six options were presented to the Lake Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee which included iwi and community representatives:

On-site treatment at each property
Treatment plant at Tarawera
Low pressure grinder pumps + connect to Rotorua through the road
Low pressure grinder pumps + connect to Rotorua across Playne’s Farm
STEP pumps + connect to Rotorua through the road
STEP pumps + connect to Rotorua across Playne’s Farm

Option 3 (low-pressure grinder pumps and to connect to Rotorua through the Tarawera Road corridor) was adopted because:

It ensures all properties comply with Bay of Plenty Regional Council regulations
It's the most cost effective option for homeowners
Supports mana whenua aspirations to return to Tarawera for settlement
Avoids identified wāhi tupuna sites
Can be implemented quickly as resource consents not required
Is the most effective option to address the Lake Tarawera water quality risk.

Arriving at the preferred option was the result of careful and balanced consideration of all technical, cultural, financial and planning factors.

Q: Will the works continue to go ahead?

Works are currently paused, while we re-engage with iwi and mana whenua. The Council is committed to the scheme and has legal agreements in place, so we cannot change the design or route now. Changing well balanced decisions made four years ago would be very costly to all rate payers.

Q: Cultural Impact and Archaeological Reports

2023 Archaeological survey and assessment - (PDF, 3MB)

2019 Cultural Impact assessment 2 - (PDF, 2MB)

2017 Cultural Impact assessment - (PDF, 2.2MB)

Q: How close is the pipeline to Lake Rotokākahi?

See image below - 17 metres is the closest point from pipe to lake. The pipe doesn't cross the lake.

Construction/Installation

Q: Why reticulation?

It ensures all properties comply with Bay of Plenty Regional Council regulations
It's the most cost effective option for homeowners
Supports mana whenua aspirations to return to Tarawera for settlement
Avoids identified wāhi tupuna sites
Can be implemented quickly as resource consents not required
Is the most effective option to address the Lake Tarawera water quality risk.
Arriving at the preferred option was the result of careful and balanced consideration of all technical, cultural, financial and planning factors.

Q: How many dwellings can be connected to a single LPGP system?

Each household or dwelling needs its own LPGP unit. Out-buildings like granny flats can use the main dwelling's unit if possible. If not, a separate unit will be needed. Larger homes or those with multiple households might need a bigger 'Duplex' or 'Quadplex' LPGP unit. For specific advice, contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199 to speak to the Engineers Representative.

Q: Who maintains the system?

Rotorua Lakes Council will handle servicing and repairs for the LPGP system on your property and the street. However, the Council is not responsible for household plumbing that connects to the LPGP tank. Property owners must cover the cost of repairs to their own plumbing and any internal sewerage system issues up to the LPGP tank.

Q: What disruptions will construction cause?

Construction will involve installing pipes under the road using directional drilling to reduce road surface damage and traffic disruptions. Equipment will need space, so there may be local traffic management in place. Rotorua Lakes Council and the contractors will keep residents updated throughout the process.

Q: What is the expected timeline?

Refer to the Timeline section.

Q: What has been completed?

As at August 2024, pipework installation under Tarawera Road is 90% complete for Stage 1. View a map of the pipeline in the following image.

Map showing pipeline installation progress - (JPG, 267KB)

Q Which rules regulate the use of septic tanks?

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s On-Site Effluent Treatment (OSET) Plan (August 2006), with plan changes in March 2011 and August 2014, regulates discharges from septic tanks.

The plan recognises the challenges associated with wastewater treatment in the Lake Tarawera catchment and in 2017 Lake Tarawera was designated a Maintenance Zone.

From 2017, the discharge of treated domestic wastewater into the land from an existing septic tank became a discretionary activity and all properties with existing septic tanks should have either connected to a reticulated system or should have upgraded to an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System with Nitrogen Reduction (AWTS +NR).

Any existing septic tank system without a resource consent within the Lake Tarawera community is currently non-compliant. Due to the soon to be available reticulation Bay of Plenty Regional Council has not actively enforced the upgrade requirements within the Plan or required property owners to spend a significant amount of money to upgrade their systems.

Q What rule requires properties to connect to a reticulated wastewater system if one is provided?

Council can require property owners to connect to the system if a reticulated wastewater system is available under Section 459 of the Local Government Act 1974, clause 1(a).

Costs

Q: What is the cost of the scheme?

As at September 2024:

TCC Scheme Phase	Budget approved (million)	Contingency (million)	Total (million)	Budget used (million)	Budget remaining (million)	% Completed
Planning / Design / Legal:	$2.48m	$0	$2.48m	$2.48m	$0.02m	99.92%
Stage 1 - Reticulation and Pumping Stations:	$13.38m	$1.34m	$14.72m	$11.0m	$3.68	74.98%
Stage 2 - Onsite LPGP installations (Start October 2024):	$11.03m	$1.10m	$12.13m	$0.43m	$12.0m	0.36%
Totals:	$26.89m	$2.43m	$29.32m	$13.6m	$15.7m	58.42%

Q: How is this being funded?

The scheme is partially funded by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC). Under the current funding policy, the rest of the cost will be met by contributions from the owner of each property that benefits from the scheme:

MfE: $6.5 million
BOPRC: $750,000
RLC: $1,485,000 ($2,700 contribution per property (increase from $1,500 approved as part of Long-term Plan 2024-2034 decisions). RLC using balance sheet for upfront borrowings ($20.2 million) to progress.

Total: $8,735,000 million

Council continues to work with the Tarawera community to try and explore additional funding options above what has already been confirmed.

Q: Similar schemes are 50% government funded, why is Tarawera not?

Similar schemes in the district were Crown Deed funded, MfE committed $72.1m in a Deed of Funding arrangement in 2005 for the four priority lakes only – Rotorua, Rotoehu, Rotoiti and Okareka. That Crown Funding included other interventions for water quality improvements on those targeted lakes that covered the BOPRC’s programmes in a rough order attribution of $32m to RLC and $40m to the BOPRC.

Lake Tarawera was not included in the Crown Deed Funding. However, the Tarawera Sewerage Reticulation Scheme has been granted a separate $6.5 million from MfE’s Freshwater Improvement Fund following an application jointly made by the Council and the community representatives.

Q: What will I pay?

Based on the current capital funding plan (with the current $8.0 M subsidies) the average net capital cost to each property, for the whole scheme (Stage 1 and 2), would be in the range of $38,000 – $42,000 (GST Excl) with the Stage 2 per property average installation costs, based on the tenders, approximately being $25,000 (GST Excl).

The range of expected average net cost for each property outlined above is on the basis that no further funding assistance and additional to the currently known sources ($8.735 M) is available.

Q: The financial contribution is broken down into 2 parts:

Part 1: A share of the cost of installing the Tarawera reticulation network. The cost will be divided by 550, so each property will pay 1/550th of the network construction cost. Undeveloped sections will pay Part 1 only. This would cover the section’s contribution to the cost of the network construction and would leave a connection point in the street pipe for any future installation.

Part 2: An equal share of the total cost for installing LPGP systems onto all properties. Future operational, maintenance and renewal costs will be carried out by all ratepayers in the district connected to the council wastewater networks as part of the wastewater targeted rate (an estimated extra $30- 40 annually).

Each property benefiting from the scheme will pay both Part 1 and Part 2 contributions.

Properties with two or more dwellings will be assessed for additional Part 2 payments covering the additional connections required. This depends on the size of each additional dwelling and will be calculated in accordance with the %HUE each additional dwelling represents. The %HUE calculation is explained on page 130 in the Long-term Plan - (PDF, 7.1MB).

Q: What will I pay for an undeveloped section?

Undeveloped sections will pay Part 1 only, covering the section’s contribution to the cost of the network construction and leaving a connection point in the road/street pipe for future installation.
Part 2 would become payable if/when the section is developed and an LPGP pump is connected to the network.

Property owners

Q: Ownership and operation of on-property systems

Some property owners believe that on-property systems should be privately owned and maintained by the property owner. However, LPGP systems are complex and last about 20-25 years.

If property owners were responsible, they would need to handle all costs for operating, maintaining, repairing, and upgrading the system themselves. In contrast, under the current Council policy, these costs are covered by sewerage rates paid by all connected ratepayers.

The Medical Officer of Health insists that such systems should be managed by the Council to ensure consistent and reliable health protection. Council officers also recommend against private ownership, as managing a mix of private and public systems would be difficult. For effective operation, the LPGPs must work together as part of a coordinated system.

Therefore, officers suggest that either all properties have private systems or none do, and all should be part of the publicly managed sewerage network.

Q: Self-installation by property owners

Some property owners want to install on-property systems themselves. The preferred contractor for Stage 2 is willing to enter into private contracts with these owners. Payment would be arranged privately, and the Council would not be involved.

If property owners choose this option, they must use the nominated contractor to benefit from the tender's cost savings and complete the work within a set timeframe. The work must meet Council standards for the network to function properly. Failure to meet deadlines may result in enforcement actions under the Local Government Act.

Owners who self-install will be responsible for their share of the preliminary and general costs from the Stage 2 contract, ensuring fairness to those who don’t self-install.

Q: What do I do if there’s a fault with my LPGP?

Rotorua Lakes Council can be called 24/7 for assistance. The operator will help you to resolve simple issues over the phone and dispatch a maintenance contractor if required. If the LPGP unit detects a fault, a red warning light will illuminate on the unit’s control box. The user instructions provided with the unit will describe what to do when this happens.

Q: I use my property infrequently, what should I know?

If you leave your property unused for a long time, just flush water through the system occasionally to keep the pipe from your house to the street clear. Instructions for this will come with the unit.

Q: I let my property (long term rental or short-term holiday let), what should I know?

You should provide clear instructions about not flushing, non-flushable items. Rotorua Lakes Council can provide signs and stickers to help you warn tenants.

Do your part to protect the health of our community downloadable poster - (PDF, 2.6MB)

Q: I am planning to build a new dwelling or subdivide, what must I do?

Discharge to land falls within the Bay of Plenty Regional Council jurisdiction. It may be possible to install an interim wastewater system until the LPGP installation for the property is installed. Please contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199 to speak with the Engineers Representative.

Q: What can and can't be flushed?

You should use the LPGP system in the same way as you do for a septic tank or AWTS system. No nappies, sanitary napkins, tampons or wet wipes (including those that are marked as flushable) can be flushed through the LPGP system. Property owners can be held liable for repairs in such cases.

Q: I have an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS), can I continue to use it?

The Local Government Act requires that properties connect to a reticulated wastewater system if one is provided. Where a consented AWTS is in place the system can be used until the expiry of the consent. After that, the property owner is unlikely to get a new consent and will have to connect to the reticulation scheme at the actual cost at that time.

Q Can I apply for a resource consent for an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System with Nitrogen Reduction?

Yes, but with a sewerage reticulation available, when assessing the discretionary activity resource consent application, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council would need to consider it against (amongst other matters) the policy direction which supports connecting to reticulation where it is available. Also, in accordance with the Discretionary Activity rule – see Rule 14(5) ), the application would need to be supported in writing by Rotorua Lakes Council, which will not be forthcoming. These circumstances determine the likelihood of such an application having to be publicly notified and it will be unlikely consent will be granted at the end of the process.

History

Q: What do septic tanks hold?

Septic tanks (which have been banned at Tarawera since 2017) hold wastewater from homes. Inside the tank, solids settle to the bottom as sludge, while fats and oils float to the top. The liquid that contains very high levels of coliforms and potential human pathogens is then slowly discharged through the soil, the ground water and towards the lake.

To protect community and Lake Tarawera health, we are replacing septic tanks with a wastewater reticulation system. This involves removing old septic tanks and installing low-pressure grinder pump (LPGP) systems to transport wastewater to treatment facilities more effectively.

Q: How do we know 200,000 – 300,000 litres of untreated sewerage is seeping into Lake Tarawera Daily?

We estimate this based on the average water usage of 700 litres per day per household, with around 450 households in Tarawera. We also account for lower occupancy periods, resulting in an average estimate of 252,000 litres per day.

Q: Who developed the Cultural Impact Assessment(s) (CIA)?

The CIA was developed by Iwi on behalf of mana whenua. Its purpose is to identify matters of cultural significance from those most knowledgeable so they can be addressed. The Council did not write the CIA. Copies of the CIA can be found under the ‘Lake Rotokākahi' FAQ below.

Q: Does the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant have capacity to handle flows from Tarawera?

Yes. The wastewater flows from Tarawera account for less than 2% of the average total flows to the plant. Additionally, the Plant upgrade (currently underway) will more than double its current capacity, ensuring we cater for future growth also.

Q: Was the adopted option selected because it was the most cost-effective?

In 2018, the Lake Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee, which included iwi and community representatives, considered six options. The exploration of these options was carried out with Iwi member participation.

Committees strive to arrive at balanced outcomes when many stakeholders are involved. The record from the Steering Committee indicates that all voted in favour of the preferred option.

Project updates

Project updates 2024

31 October 2024 - Stage 2 and Lake Rotokākahi update - (PDF, 88KB)

24 October 2024 - Site scaled back while awaiting injunction decision – council website

18 September 2024 - Council received verbal update - council website

6 September 2024 -Tarawera Sewerage Scheme update - council website

September 2024 - Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Community update - (PDF, 4MB)

30 August 2024 - Temporary pause on Tarawera Sewerage Scheme works - council website

29 August 2024 - Statement on Tarawera Sewerage Scheme - council website

9 August 2024 - Continuation of works past Lake Rotokākahi (Green Lake) - (PDF, 81.4KB)

18 June 2024 - Tarawera Transfer Station Changes - (PDF, 396KB)

31 May 2024 - Upcoming works for Tarawera Road - (PDF, 405KB)

June 2024 - Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Community update - (PDF, 1.1MB)

28 May 2024 - Application filed for injunction to enable critical wastewater works - RLC News

May 2024 - Locality Plan Community update - (PDF, 166KB)

March 2024 - Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Community update - (PDF, 550KB)

March 2024 - Low Pressure Grinder Pump installation booklet - (PDF, 629KB)

January 2024 - Community update, Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Stage 2 – Contract Awarded & Next steps - (PDF, 545KB)

Project updates 2023

14 December 2023 - Infrastructure & Environment Committee meeting update - (PDF, 3.6MB)

December 2023 - Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Community update - (PDF, 660KB)

September 2023 - Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Community update - (PDF, 982KB)

How did we get here?

Most homes at Tarawera use septic tanks, but these have been leaching over time.

The Tarawera Sewerage Scheme has been the result of extensive community consideration over many years, including discussion with and input from iwi and hapū. Arriving at the preferred option followed careful and balanced consideration of all technical, cultural, financial, and planning factors.

What are we doing?

No one wants to see our lakes polluted, and that’s why we’re working closely with our partners to take the steps needed to protect the lakes.

The Lake Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Steering Committee which included representatives from Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi, Māori landowners, the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Rotorua Lakes Council was established in 2015 to consider the best option to protect the lake.

In 2018, the Committee looked at six options. The decision to use low-pressure grinder pumps and connect the new sewer system to Rotorua via Tarawera Road was adopted.

Iwi and mana whenua considered the options and acknowledged the Council’s Road corridor is the best place for the pipeline for effective monitoring to protect our lakes.

Council adopted the reticulation proposal as a draft and undertook community consultation as part of the 2021 – 2031 Long-term Plan.

If we don’t do this, about 200,000 - 300,000 litres a day of untreated sewerage will continue to seep into the ground and pollute Lake Tarawera.

Timeline

2025 - 2015

June 2025	Stage 2 complete.
June 2024	Stage 1 complete.
June 2023   September – October 2023  November 2024	Stage 2 procurement options explored to optimise net costs.  Community feedback (self instalment intention)  Feedback recommendations presented
March 2023	Stage 1 physical works begin.
November 2022	Council entered into a contract with Fulton Hogan for construction of Stage 1.
July 2022	Tarawera ratepayers were again consulted on the 2-stage approach. Of 458 potential respondents, 349 responses were received. 313 of these supported the approach. Construction price for Stage 1 were sought through a construction contractor (with a 3rd party market pricing comparison requested to provide assurance) and prices benchmarked to the open market winning tender for the East Rotoiti scheme a year earlier.
June 2022	In order to meet funding deadlines imposed by (MfE $6.5m) Stage 1 construction needs to be completed by the end of December 2023. Council votes in favour of taking the 2-stage approach, allowing Stage 1 to proceed within the funding time limit imposed by MfE.   More flexible repayment options were made available to Tarawera residents and were subsequently presented and adopted by Council.
May 2022	RLC explored option to split scheme construction into two ‘stages’: Stage 1- installing street mains and pumping systems (pricing for this was in accordance with budget). Stage 2 – connecting each dwelling to street mains (pricing for this stage was considerably higher than budget).
December 2021	Design begins (starting with survey work to ascertain pipeline routes and property visits to determine location of on-site treatment systems).
November 2021	RLC contracts for the detailed design of the preferred LPGP scheme.
June 2021	Council considers the results of its Long Term Plan community consultation and adopts changes to the initial proposal for the reticulation bringing the scheme forward to 2021-2024/25 years.   Council provides funds in the 2021/22 year for the detailed design of the preferred option to enable a more accurate construction cost to be defined which will determine the ‘net contribution’ to be paid by residents.   Council also commits to progressing the scheme as part of the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan.
Early 2021	Following concerns from the local community, expressed in feedback and consultations, that some in the Tarawera community may not be able to make a lump sum payment on completion, a funding sub-committee was formed. Committee consists of council officers, Rotorua Lakes Community Board, elected members, a BOPRC local member and Tarawera community representatives. Committee considers repayment options and develops criteria laying out a modified repayment option.
November 2020	Council acknowledges the community request and passes resolution agreeing to incorporate funding in its draft 2021-31 Long Term Plan and the Capital Funding Plan for the phased implementation of the scheme subject to community wide consultation of the Draft LTP.  The design and delivery of the scheme and approves work to progress the detailed design, enabling a more accurate construction cost to be defined which will determine the ‘contribution’ to be paid by residents.
2019	Second Cultural Impact Assessment carried out, exploring the effects of several solution options and pipeline routes. The proposed Spencer Road – Tarawera Road pipeline route was more culturally acceptable because it avoided wāhi tupuna.
October 2018	LTSSC confirms preferred option (reticulation) to the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant via the public road network to Ōkāreka pumping station, with on-site low-pressure grinder pumps (LPGPs) for each property.   This option was favoured because; of the lowest overall long-term cost for homeowners as well as for the Council’s long-term network operations, would achieve, in the most cost-effective way the goals of removing untreated sewerage from the lake and help to measurably improve water quality at Tarawera, avoids wāhi tupuna (ancestral sites),  and could be implemented quickly (resource consent is not required).  Cost estimates for the preferred concept option were carried out to obtain indicative early cost parameters.
2018	LTSSC consider the five possible viable wastewater options.
2017	First Cultural Impact Assessment was undertaken.  BOPRC proposed and adopted a change to the Regional Plan that manages on-site effluent treatment systems in the BOP region. Under “Plan Change 14” the installation of new septic tanks in the Tarawera area is prohibited and consents for existing septic tanks will not be renewed.  Tarawera Ratepayers Association asks RLC to assist finding a workable and viable solution for all the properties of Tarawera as some 170 properties were identified to be unable to physically comply with the BOPRC’s regulations.
2015-2017	Following the progressive application of the BOPRC’s Plan Change 14 around Rotorua Lakes, the Lake Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee (LTSSC) was established to consider the best viable options for the community to comply with the Plan Change and potential reticulation.   Committee representatives include Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi, Māori landowners, the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Rotorua Lakes Council.

Official information requests

Official information requests and responses relating to the project

We publish responses provided to questions formally lodged by people under the Local Government Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) on the Official information requests page on this website. Click the links below to view LGOIMA relating to the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme below:

Quick links

Map showing pipeline installation progress - (JPG, 267KB)
Graphic representation of the pipeline under-stream crossing - (JPG, 1.26MB)
How close is the pipeline to Lake Rotokākahi? - (JPG, 1.46MB)
Sewerage Scheme options - estimated costing summary - (JPG, 720KB)
Public wastewater pipelines located within 25m of a lake shore graph - (JPG, 1.79MB)
2023 Archaeological survey and assessment - (PDF, 3MB)
2019 Cultural Impact Assessment - (PDF, 2MB)
2017 Cultural Impact Assessment - (PDF, 2.2MB)