650% increase in network delivering storm water to lake Horowhenua since 2008

by Veronica Harrod

There has been a tsunami-like increase in the stormwater network discharging into Lake Horowhenua with an extra 39 kilometres added since 2008 - a fact the public have been kept in the dark about.

In a 2008 Hokio Drainage Scheme Review Report Horizon's regional council stated, "The current Scheme maintains a 6 kilometre network of drains" yet by 2018 a Hokio Drainage Scheme 2018-2028 report stated there was, "45 kilometres of drainage channels covering 6,100 hectares."

The Horizon's 2008 report also states the, "Majority of the catchment discharges directly into Lake Horowhenua. Predominantly servicing dairy and horticulture land"

"Water quality in Lake Horowhenua is more affected by catchment-wide nutrient runoff from intensive dairy farming, horticulture and market gardens and polluted urban runoff from Levin.”

"These larger issues are beyond the scope of this review. However in any case it would be desirable for more effort to be applied by market gardeners to take suitable measures and implement best practice guidelines for reducing the soil and nutrient runoff from their fields."

An exponential increase in the network follows a recommendation made in the 2008 Hokio Drainage Scheme Review Report that it, "Include the full length of the Hokio Stream and the main watercourses (including old water races) up to at least the State Highway in the extended Scheme."

"The need for a Scheme in the Kimberley – McLeavey Road – Arapaepae Road area is likely to become even more desirable in future if the old Kimberley Centre is sub-divided for development."

A resource consent application to develop the former Kimberley Centre into a 500 house sub-division submitted by Truebridge Associates Ltd's on behalf of Horowhenua District Council deputy mayor Wayne Bishop's company Wayne Bishop Investments Ltd states, "All new stormwater requirements will be dealt with on-site via soak pits...It is not proposed to put additional stormwater into the open drain on the road.

"At present the roading drains to an underground system that terminates in the large open drain that runs along the southern side of the State Highway. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has indicated that they are prepared to allow this to continue provided no additional water is placed into the system."

Horizon's consulted with Horowhenua District Council during the 2008 review, "regarding their expectations for the future management of drainage in the catchment" but not Lake Horowhenua owners.

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