The Featherston Community Board has voted to ask South Wairarapa District Council’s [SWDC] chief executive to plan a wastewater information meeting.
The vote came after a public meeting about the Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant was cancelled “due to the unavailability of key staff”.
It was initially planned for June 20 at the community board’s request.
Featherston’s wastewater treatment plant is currently operating on an extended expired consent from Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The extension was due to end in 2023.
Wellington Water’s short-term solution, which would cost $16 million, maintained primary discharge to Donald’s Creek.
There would also be irrigation trials underway at the council-owned Hodder Farm. Long-term options remained unknown.
At Tuesday night’s community board meeting, elected members discussed the value of such a meeting to inform the Featherston community.
Councillor Colin Olds, who voted against the request, said there was nothing to tell the community yet as long-term options were yet to be decided.
“What will we tell our community?” he said.
Featherston Community Board chair Mark Shepherd said Featherston residents would appreciate “any communication”.
“Even tell them there is nothing to report … they would appreciate a face-to-face”.
Planning and environment manager Russell O’Leary said the priority was for any information to be given to councillors in the first instance.
The community board voted to send a letter to SWDC chief executive Harry Wilson asking for a meeting to be planned.
All were in favour except Olds, who voted against, and councillor Garrick Emms who abstained. – NZLDR
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