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Rotorua’s council will continue connecting Lake Tarawera properties to its sewerage network despite a petition raising concerns about an “open chequebook”.
Tarawera sewerage reticulation: Rotorua MP Todd McClay calls on Mayor Steve Chadwick give residents options
7 May, 2021 03:58 AM
5 minutes to read
Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / NZME
Treat Lake Tarawera the same as other sewerage reticulation schemes, and if not, explain why you can t.
That s the message from Rotorua MP Todd McClay to Rotorua Lakes Council on its proposal to charge Lake Tarawera residents an uncapped $33,000 lump sum for sewerage reticulation.
McClay wrote to Mayor Steve Chadwick calling on the council to give residents the option to pay the sum off over time. Previous schemes implemented by [the] council have been paid for by users contributing each year in addition to their rates bill, he wrote to Chadwick on April 30.
Tarawera sewerage reticulation: residents concerned about blank cheque payment scheme
27 Apr, 2021 04:00 AM
6 minutes to read
Lake Tarawera residents are upset about a proposal they believe asks them to pay a blank cheque sum for sewerage reticulation.
The council says it needs sign-off from residents first to proceed to detailed design work which would provide more certainty around cost.
About 80 people packed Lake Tarawera community hall on Wednesday last week to discuss concerns about the payment plan laid out by the Rotorua Lakes Council for the scheme.
The scheme would involve the installation of low-pressure grinder pumps on each property, and the connection of Tarawera to the Ōkāreka wastewater pump and on to the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Tarawera resident Fred Stevens said residents wanted a bit of fairness
Photo: LDR/ Felix Desmarais
The council says it needs sign-off from residents first to proceed to detailed design work which would provide more certainty around cost.
About 80 people packed Lake Tarawera community hall on Wednesday last week to discuss concerns about the payment plan laid out by Rotorua Lakes Council for the scheme.
The scheme would involve the installation of low-pressure grinder pumps on each property, and the connection of Tarawera to the Ōkāreka wastewater pump and to the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Septic tanks were not considered sustainable for the lake s future.