MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, March 22, 2013

Enforcement order to help with odour plan

Horizons Regional Council is seeking an enforcement order from the Environment Court to help remedy ongoing odour issues at Wanganui District Council’s wastewater treatment plant.

The application will be lodged late this afternoon and arrive with the Court on Monday.

Horizons group manager strategy and regulation Dr Nic Peet says Wanganui District Council has signaled its general agreement with the proposed enforcement order and Horizons will meet with council staff next week to talk over a few minor points of contention.

“The district council has put in a lot of work to mitigate objectionable odour beyond the boundary of the plant but it remains an issue for the people of Wanganui,” Dr Peet says.

“Through this application we aim to establish an agreed plan, to be monitored by the Court. It will provide a clear process and timeline and ensure the district council continues to do all it can to resolve the issue.

“Technical and operational mitigation measures and longer term design solutions to the plant’s problems will remain the remit of Wanganui District Council. Horizons will continue to act as the regulatory authority.

“None of the actions asked of Wanganui District Council will be unreasonable. We are eager to get these issues resolved with minimal cost to ratepayers,” he said.

Wanganui District Council has indicated that odour problems will need a long term solution. The enforcement order covers both short term mitigation planning and longer term planning to finally design a solution.

It is hoped that after next week’s discussions both councils will be able to go back to the Court to seek an order by consent.

An order sought by consent will be made more quickly than one that is opposed. If this is the case, the judge’s decision is likely to be made in chambers without the need for a formal hearing.

ENDS

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