My Account
Watercare has revealed its preferred option for dealing with the increase in volumes of wastewater as development increases on the Hibiscus Coast.
Auckland Council’s growth projections indicate that the Army Bay plant currently services a population of around 46,000 on the peninsula, Orewa, Hatfields Beach and Silverdale. Future development to the west in Silverdale, Dairy Flat and Wainui (including the massive Milldale residential development) will bring that population to around 180,000 by 2053.
Back in February, Watercare put various proposals before the public for feedback (HM March 1). From there it created a shortlist of options, which were revealed at an open day at Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa on June 20.
Its most favoured option is to upgrade the existing Army Bay wastewater treatment plant, as the area’s population grows and continued discharge of the treated wastewater via the Army Bay outfall.
The cost of this option is estimated to be $550 million (plus or minus 50 percent).
Watercare infrastructure and environmental planning manager Mark Bourne says most of this cost is in building a pipeline – particularly from the developments to the west, including Milldale – to the Army Bay treatment plant.
With development in Diary Flat, which is zoned Future Urban, expected to be more than 20 years away, Watercare says the infrastructure will be put in place alongside that process.
“A decision will be taken at some stage as to whether or not the wastewater from residents who move into that area is treated at Army Bay or at the Rosedale wastewater treatment plant,” Mr Bourne says.
Watercare plans to apply to Auckland Council for resource consent for its preferred option by the end of this month. The consent will be publicly notified so that residents can make submissions on the proposal.
Details of the plan are on Watercare’s website, www.watercare.co.nz (look for Whangaparaoa wastewater servicing project).
