Official Information Request – Tarawera Sewerage Scheme
Sent: Thursday, 19 September 2024 2:16 pm
Subject: LGOIMA - Lake Rotokakahi – Tarawera Sewerage Scheme
I refer to your LGOIMA request of 14 September 2024 regarding Lake Rotokākahi and the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme, noting that you have not requested paperwork, just answers. Below are responses to your questions:
Was Te Tiriti O Waitangi applied in all aspects of the planning process?
The Council has Relationship Protocols with mana whenua and all proposed programmes of work and/or projects require engagement and consultation with the relevant Iwi. The answer in this case is yes.
Were the local iwi involved?
The Tarawera Sewerage Steering Committee, which explored the 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 Rotokākahi Board of Control (RBOC) was part of that steering group.
What is the projected cost of this project?
Approximately $29.0 million.
Who are paying the weekly costs for the fence and security?
Currently those costs are apportioned to the project. Council, when making the final assessment of the project’s final costs and to strike the targeted rate payable by the local Tarawera community, will consider whether these costs should be carried by that community alone or the wider District ratepayer community.
Why would you vote to place a sewerage line near a lake!!
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 and executed by manawhenua to gather feedback from all relevant mana whenua stakeholders, including the RBOC. The CIA incorporated the RBOC’s views and feedback. The CIA identified some 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. The Steering Committee, which included iwi and community representatives, unanimously recommended the preferred option, which involves using low-pressure grinder pumps and connecting to Rotorua through the Tarawera Road corridor. Arriving at the preferred option was the result of careful and balanced consideration of all technical, cultural, financial and planning factors.
Note that the District is served by a large sewerage reticulation network that includes some 600kms of pipelines. Most of these pipelines are in road corridors and are situated near lakes because that is where our residential properties are located.
Rotorua is advertised as clean green NZ, will the council now advertise the sewer pipe next to the lake for all tourists to see??
Please note above. The most effective measure to protect the communities’ health and our lakes environment is to carefully collect sewerage generated by every household, transport it to a high-quality Treatment Plant and fully treat it. The current situation where some properties are served by septic tanks (such as Tarawera) is not viable because septic tanks leech into the ground water and pollute the lakes waters with untreated sewerage.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response/decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests
Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.
Regards
Jean-Paul Gaston
Manahautū Takiwā Whakaritorito | Group Manager, Community & District Development
E:jean-paul.gaston@rotorualc.nz
A: Civic Centre, 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
