Council appeals against wastewater conditions

Carterton District Council has appealed against wastewater plant consent conditions which Mayor Ron Mark says are unaffordable and unfeasible.

The council has appealed to the Environment Court against Greater Wellington Regional Council consent conditions that involve the discharge of treated wastewater from the Carterton wastewater treatment plant in Dalefield Rd to a tributary of the Mangatarere Stream, and to ground and air.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said the conditions imposed by the regional council would unduly burden Carterton ratepayers and were "not feasible, viable or affordable".

"These conditions require certain work to be done within a three-year time span without any consideration to affordability. It's irresponsible for a ruling authority and shows a callous disregard for our ratepayers," Mr Mark said.

"We have appealed and more information has been sought from us. I don't see why that is necessary either but I am hopeful we will see a change."

Aimee Bishop, Greater Wellington Regional Council resource adviser, earlier told the Wairarapa Times-Age resource consents had been granted for the discharge of treated wastewater from the Carterton wastewater treatment plant to a tributary of the Mangatarere Stream, and to ground and air.

The two resource consents for the Dalefield Rd plant had expired more than three years ago and the granting of the latest consents was made after a hearing in December 2011.

One consent was related to the discharge of treated domestic sewage at a maximum rate 3270 cubic metres per day from the Carterton district oxidation ponds to the Mangatarere Stream. The consent primarily related to discharges from the wastewater treatment plant outside summer months.

Another consent was related to the discharge of effluent into land and water from the council wastewater treatment trial and was concerned primarily with discharges of wastewater during the summer.

Carterton District councillors discussed their appeal during a public excluded session at the full council meeting last week.