More testing may be forced on sewage plant

A sewage treatment plant blamed by Bay of Island oyster farmers for ruining their livelihoods may have its resource consent conditions reviewed.

Oyster farms in the Waikare Inlet, in the Bay of Islands, have been closed since September 2001 because a Norwalk-like virus was found in shellfish taken from there.

The farmers say the Kawakawa sewage treatment station is one of the sources of the virus and have lodged a $12 million damages claim against the plant's owner, the Far North District Council.

The council has resource consent for a $6 million upgrade of the plant, but Northland Regional Council member and Northland Federated Farmers president Ian Walker wants the conditions reviewed.

Last Wednesday he got the support of his fellow regional councillors and a report on the issue should be presented at their December meeting.

He said the NZ Food Safety Authority had determined the oyster farms could not re-open until it could be proved the plant could detect the Norwalk virus and stop it entering Bay of Islands waters.

Mr Walker said testing could cost $100,000 and the oyster farmers should not be expected to pay for it.

FNDC spokesman Rick McCall said $6 million had been spent on a overhaul of the treatment station, including the provision of a sophisticated ultra violet disinfection system before final discharge.

"The whole purpose of UV treatment is to eliminate the potential for any virus such as the Norwalk-like virus."

He said there was no need for an expensive testing regime.

The farmers' $12 million claim against the FNDC will be heard on March 6 next year.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)