Council analyses beach responses

MANAWATU District councillors are likely to consider a recommendation on the Himatangi Beach sewage scheme proposal next month.


Wastes Manager, Peterson Asante, said responses from a feedback form distributed to the community’s ratepayers were now being analysed and it was hoped to take a recommendation to the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting on March 20.


The form asked if ratepayers supported a community-based sewage scheme at Himatangi Beach or not and how best to pay (lump sums or through rates) if a decision was made to proceed.


Council had been working with the Himatangi Beach Community Committee for about two years on the feasibility of a scheme and had investigated a range of options to find the one most suitable for the community and environment.


Mr Asante said there had been a 60 percent response from ratepayers to the feedback form, with the majority of replies centred on how the project could be financed and payments met.


“It is a balanced issue and too early to comment on the nature of the returns until the information has been fully analysed,” he said. “Many of the ratepayers are pushing for a Government grant and would be 100 percent supportive if that was in place. Currently, however, there are no such funds available.”


Mr Asante said a community-based sewage scheme would make Himatangi Beach environmentally-friendly, and do away with the current onsite disposal of waste water, as well as increase property values.


“If the current system is retained then ratepayers in the future may have to meet stringent government policies on septic tanks and readdress the issue in five to 10 years’ time when the cost could be highly unbearable and out of reach.”


He said the decision was not based simply on “yes” and “no” responses but on many issues such as payment challenges faced by low income earners, and the ability to pay, and environmental safety.


“All these factors must be considered before a recommendation is made,” he said.