The Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are working together to improve the management and
treatment of stormwater, to better meet expectations surrounding the health of our environment.
The joint approach is seen as key to resolve legacy issues such as Lowes Pit, and the management of associated
stormwater issues.
An independent Tonkin and Taylor report found there is very low risk to the Frimley borefield from Lowes Pit.
The two councils have agreed that the way stormwater in this and other comparable industrial areas has been managed up
until now is no longer appropriate to achieve the modern environmental outcomes that are expected.
To resolve these issues, it’s been recommended that Hastings District Council agree in principle to a multi-pronged
strategy that combines stormwater treatment with a tighter catchment management framework.
Both organisations agree that changes to the regional rules that cover stormwater management need updating, and the
current draft TANK plan change is key step.
At its meeting on Tuesday next week, council will consider whether to agree to this approach or continue with the
current regime.
The proposed changes include tightening rules around industrial activities to manage site stormwater better, extra
safeguards at the end of pipes to control and mitigate the potential effects of spills, road runoff and overland flows.
In addition, it would be likely that the Lowes Pit excavations that were dug through the 1940s to 1960s would be filled
in.
An initial budget allowance of $2 million has been proposed for Hastings District Council to carry out this work, the
funding requirement would be considered as part of the 2020/2021 annual plan deliberations.
In the meantime, further investigation and design work is underway to firm up the options and the expected costs of the
package of actions.