20 February 2020

Media: Rotorua Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Petition opposing proposed discharge of treated wastewater

Enquiry

I'm doing a follow up story on this petition as the number of signatures has almost doubled since my last story.

Last week the council would not comment as the matter is before the Environment Court.

I'd like to check the council's position on not commenting on this remains the same?

. . . I've also spoken with the petitioner and she's made some comments I would like to put to the council to give an opportunity to respond.

Comments:

Regarding some misunderstanding around from some that the changes would see untreated sewage put in the lake:

Doesn't matter "whether its treated or untreated."

"Would you throw your children in the Aquatic Centre if it was treated or untreated sewage?

"I would say we're filling up a pool with treated wastewater, would you put your children in? Because that's, in essence, what we're saying here."

She said the mauri of the water cannot be restored. It's a matter of tapu and noa. "Once you have dirtied something no matter what there is no way to un-dirty it. Any claim you can bring back the mauri of something once it's been threashed with faeces, urine ... it's almost impossible to bring back the mauri of that resource."

Response

The reporter was informed there was no change to Council's position re commenting about the petition.

See previous enquiry and response relating to this matter HERE