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The proposed route for a wastewater pipeline, connecting new development on the north side of Warkworth to the pump station in Lucy Moore Park on the south side, raised a few hackles at the Warkworth Liaison Group meeting on December 7.
Watercare representatives Richard McIntosh and Danielle Hamilton were at the meeting to give an update on the various Watercare projects happening in and around Warkworth.
However, it was the route for the new wastewater pipeline that stirred up the audience, particularly One Mahurangi manager Murray Chapman.
Watercare has narrowed down the original five route options to just two – discounting the other three on the grounds that their construction was not feasible.
The remaining options are either to bring the pipeline along Mill Lane, Queen Street and Baxter Street to the pump station, or take it via Mill Lane, Neville Street and Baxter Street. Watercare acknowledges that either route will cause significant disruption, but it hopes to mitigate this as much as possible through its discussions with the community.
However, Chapman said that the Queen Street option was untenable.
He said even if the trenching was done in 50-metre increments, it would kill retail. He said Queen Street was not wide enough to accommodate both construction and cars.
“After the disruptions of Covid, it will be the final nail in the coffin for businesses along the street,” he said.
While McIntosh reiterated that no decision had been made, Chapman wasn’t having a bar of it.
“I want an undertaking that the final decision will be based on what is best for this community and not what is most cost-effective for Watercare,” he said.
Hamilton weighed into the debate by saying that she felt the discussion was premature.
“We haven’t finished the investigations yet; no decision has been made,” she said. “Wait until we come back to you in February.”
Part of the investigation includes identifying methodologies, potential impacts and how Watercare can mitigate these to minimise disruptions.
The plan is to host a community information evening in March to provide further information and respond to questions as the project enters the detailed design and consenting phase.
Other members of the audience asked if a rising main had been considered instead of a gravity fed system, which could provide other route options that were less disruptive. McIntosh said he wasn’t sure and would follow up with the planning team.
A suggestion that Watercare could invest in a mitigation project such as revegetation along a cycleway or at a reserve in Warkworth also did not go down well with Chapman.
“With respect, planting trees somewhere in Warkworth is not going to mean a damn thing to the retailers who will be ruined if this goes ahead along Queen Street,” he said.
Watercare hopes to start work on the pipeline in 2024.
The Liaison Group is now in recess until February 1.
