Land purchase good for rivers

South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples said the unexpected chance to buy the land, bounded by the Waiohine and Ruamahanga Rivers, was "too good to miss".

A major step to stop treated waste water going into rivers has been taken by South Wairarapa District Council.

The council has bought 118 hectares alongside the town's waste water treatment plant for $2.8 million.

Mayor Adrienne Staples said the unexpected chance to buy the land, bounded by the Waiohine and Ruamahanga Rivers, was "too good to miss".

"This land will eventually take most of Greytown's treated waste water, instead of it being discharged into the rivers," Mrs Staples said.

An irrigation system would be installed on the land when funding permitted, but in the meantime the land would be let for grazing to offset the price. The purchase would be funded by borrowing and rates will be in line with those forecast in council's 2012/22 Long Term Plan.

The current use of the land by the Jury Hill Gliding Club and recreational access to the rivers would not be affected.

Mrs Staples said the Government had made it clear that local bodies must drastically reduce or stop treated waste water from being discharged directly into streams and rivers. Greytown effluent discharges into the Papawai Stream which flows into the Ruamahanga River.

"We see this purchase as a major step for South Wairarapa's plans to comply," she said.

"Improved arrangements for the treatment of waste water in South Wairarapa have long been part of our long-term planning and this purchase marks a major step forward."

Wastewater treatment and disposal is one of the council's key issues, along with water supply and the strengthening of Martinborough Town Hall.