Scroll down to view a summary of the latest media releases on the ES3 Project.
27 September 2007 - Council environmental initiative to make compost from Tairua-Pauanui wastewater
Sludge from the new Tairua-Pauanui wastewater plant will be mixed with dumped green waste to make top quality compost in an eco-friendly council initiative to be trialled this summer.
Thames-Coromandel District Council gave the green light to a trial composting plant at Tairua Transfer Station to begin as soon as the $12 million wastewater treatment plant is up and running – due at the end of December this year.
If the trial proves a success, biosolids generated by the communities of Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata and Whitianga will all be turned into high-grade compost that can be used in a variety of ways including being sold.
TCDC Capex Manager Viv Eyberg said ‘doing nothing’ was not an option as the biosolids must be managed by some means and the alternatives to composting all faced issues around cost, odour and were not environmentally sustainable in the long term.
TCDC Group Manager of Service Delivery John Whittle said the composting option had financial benefits due to the rising costs of landfilling, but it also had likely environmental gains. “While there are other options out there, they’re not that viable for us because we have so many individual wastewater plants and there is huge cost in trucking bio-solids away from all of these to landfills.”
A four month trial period will give the council time to lift the quality of the compost produced to a Grade ‘Aa’ compost according to the New Zealand Compost Standards and Biosolids Guidelines and manage any issues such as possible odours.
Its quality would be controlled by producing better quality biosolids from the wastewater treatment plants and adjusting the mix of green waste proportions, along with other measures.
The financial risk around the Tairua trial is $156,000 and the council is consulting with the Ministry for the Environment to seek part funding for the set-up costs.
Compost would be independently sampled and tested for contaminants and pathogens in accordance with detailed national guidelines.
13 June 2007 - Archaeological dig begins at Whangamata.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) has begun archaeological investigations at the new Whangamata Wastewater Treatment Plant site in preparation for starting earthworks by August.
Following a previous site assessment and the granting of consents, an archaeologist is now investigating the new treatment site. After this process, detailed design will be completed and construction establishment earthworks will start later this year.
TCDC's Group Manager of Service Delivery, John Whittle, says that now that all the parties have come to an agreement which has been signed off by the Environment Court, the council is focused on getting the plant built and running as soon as possible.
"The new plant is expected to be completed by December 2008," he says.
24 July 2007 - Council lifts development moratorium
The moratorium on development in the Tairua/Pauanui area has been fully lifted today by the Thames-Coromandel District Council, with a new $12 million Tairua/Pauanui wastewater treatment plant expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The decision means that the council will process, and if appropriate grant, building consents in Tairua/Pauanui as from August 1, 2007.
The move follows on from a council decision last October to partially lift the moratorium and allow subdivision consents.
The moratorium has been in place in the area since September 2000 because of limited capacity of the wastewater treatment plant and disposal system to cope with any more housing growth.
Monday 28 May 2007 - Green light for waste water plant
Whangamata’s waste water treatment plant is officially all go.
The agreement reached two weeks ago between TCDC, Clean Water Whangamata and Surfbreak Protection Society has been officially signed off by the Environment Court.
TCDC chief executive Steve Ruru said physical work can now proceed “at pace” with earthworks scheduled in the next few months.
The Whangamata plant is scheduled to be up and running by December 2008.
Thursday 10 May 2007 - Agreement reached - waste water plant looks back on track
Whangamata’s waster water treatment plant appears to be back on track.
Parties agreed last week to settle their legal appeals after an all day meeting between TCDC, Environment Waikato, Clean Water Whangamata (CWW), the Surfbreak Protection Society (SPS) and section 274 parties to the joint CWW/SPS appeal.
CWW and SPS were the only groups still involved in legal action against the new plant. An appeal by Te Kura Pukeroa Maori Incorporation had already been dismissed and thrown out by the Environment Court.
While the agreement has yet to be formally signed off, TCDC chief executive Steve Ruru said he was “very hopeful” this would happen in the next few days. Mr Ruru stressed that the agreement also needs approval from the Environment Court.
All going well, it means TCDC, CWW/SPS and section 274 parties will not face off in the Environment Court later this month. The Court hearing had been scheduled to start on May 21 and was expected to take up to three weeks.
Tuesday 1 May - Appeal against Whangamata plant thrown out
An appeal against the Whangamata waste water treatment plant has been thrown out by the Environment Court.
Te Kura Pukeroa Maori Incorporation had appealed against the resource consents granted last November for the Whangamata plant, citing lack of consultation with iwi. TCDC argued against the appeal, claiming it ‘disclosed no reasonable or relevant case and would be an abuse of the Environment Court to allow the appeal to be taken further’.
In its decision, the Environment Court said the appeal by Te Kura Pukeroa was “deficient and untenable, and is….a total write-off.” The Court agreed with all Council’s claims and ordered the appeal be struck out and dismissed.
Friday 30 March 2007 - Date set for Whangamata Appeal
TCDC will be back in court next month to try and get the Whangamata waste water plant back on track.
Work on the plant, which was due for completion in September 2008, has been stalled by two legal appeals. The joint appeals are from Cleanwater Whangamata and the Surfbreak Protection Society along with Te Kura Pukeroa Maori Inc.
The Environment Court has granted TCDC’s request to hear the appeals under urgency with the hearing scheduled to begin on May 21.
The legal action does not affect work on the new wastewater plants at Whitianga and Tairua/Pauanui. Work is proceeding on both these projects with the Tairua/Pauanui plant due to be commissioned before Christmas and Whitianga by April 2008.
21 February 2007 - Wastewater consent appeals a disappointment for TCDC
The Thames-Coromandel District Council has received two appeals against the Whangamata wastewater resource consent which was granted to the Council in December 2006.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council was granted resource consent to discharge treated wastewater to land and contaminants to air (mainly odours) in association with the operation of the proposed upgraded treatment plant.
The decision followed a six day hearing process which was held in Whangamata between 12-23 November 2006.
21 December 2006 - Community cooperation vital for wastewater survey
As the Coromandel Peninsula gears up for another summer, the Thames-Coromandel District Council will be undertaking a peak population survey throughout the Whangamata community.
From December 23 to January 10, Thames-Coromandel District Council consultants Opus will be talking to a number of Whangamata residents and asking them to participate in a short survey which will help plan for the wastewater treatment plant capacity.
The surveying will involve population counts at camp grounds, motels, apartments, and individual houses over the peak population period.
“The information gained from these surveys will enable us to confirm design loadings for the new Whangamata wastewater treatment plant. However, on a more general scale, it will also help us monitor, and plan for, the impact that the peak population has on the existing and future infrastructure such as water, wastewater, roads, and reserves” said Project Manager, Gordon Reynolds.
“The surveys are short, simple, and straightforward” said Mr Reynolds “and if our survey staff do knock on your door, your participation will be greatly appreciated.”
19 September 2006 - Altered Designations Sought for Wastewater Plant Land
Altered designations for land used as part of the upgraded Whangamata wastewater treatment plant are being sought by the Thames-Coromandel District Council.
Once in place, a designation allows for a specific project or work to take place – in this case the designations propose:
• Expanding the existing waste water designation to ensure it will contain the upgraded waste water treatment plant for Whangamata.
• Designating the existing and proposed land to be used for the spray irrigation of treated waste water from the upgraded Whangamata waste water treatment plant.
As part of the Resource Management Act process, Council is calling for submissions on the proposed altered designations.
To ensure impartiality, an independent planning consultant will review and process the RMA applications lodged with TCDC. An independent Commissioner will also hear and decide these applications. At the same time resource consents have also been lodged with Environment Waikato to renew the discharge permit for the continued operation of the Whangamata disposal system. Hearings are likely to occur during November or December 2006.
30 August 2006 - Wastewater Contract Awarded
A consortium of construction company, Works Infrastructure and engineering consultancy, SKM has been awarded a $42.24m contract to design, construct, and operate three wastewater plants for Tairua-Pauanui, Whitianga and Whangamata.
Works Infrastructure is a subsidiary of Australian company Downer EDI and SKM is a major international engineering consultancy. Both companies have significant experience in the development, asset management and maintenance of public and private infrastructure.
In September last year, TCDC combined the three projects and seven companies registered interest. This was short listed to three and one of these subsequently withdrew.
“Reaching this stage is exciting and the awarding of this contract gives me considerable satisfaction. It is a major milestone, not just for the Eastern Seaboard, but the whole district and there has been considerable effort and hard work by a lot of people to reach this stage. The construction of these plants represents a clear pathway in delivering sustainable, long term solutions for wastewater treatment in these communities” said District Mayor, Philippa Barriball
“We can now look at a timetable for the lifting of the development moratorium in Tairua and Pauanui again allowing growth in these communities,” she said
Council has budgeted for the three plants, associated disposal and infrastructure improvements in the 2006-2016 Long-term Council Community Plan.
6 April 2006 – Fulton Hogan Withdrawal from Wastewater Plant Tender a Disappointment.
It also considers the reasons given for the withdrawal inappropriate given the high level of co operation and discussion between the two parties.
The consortium of Fulton Hogan and Montgomery Watson Harza told Thames-Coromandel District Council last week that it was withdrawing from tendering for the project eight days after it accepted the tender documents.
“This withdrawal is completely inconsistent with their actions during the registration and preliminary tender discussion process. The reasons given for their withdrawal are inappropriate because all details were fully explained to them throughout. It is also inconvenient because their late withdrawal does not allow us to approach any other companies,” said Council in statement.
“Council is extremely disappointed with this withdrawal, the cavalier way in which it was done and the misleading messages we were getting from them.”
10 March 2006 - Two Options Preferred for Whangamata Wastewater Disposal
Two options are preferred by respondents to the survey on the disposal method for Whangamata’s wastewater:
- 52% preferred irrigation of highly treated effluent to land surrounding the harbour, via denitrification beds
- 39% preferred a sea outfall via a pipe discharging highly treated effluent directly into the ocean beyond the harbour.
Council received 743 responses to the survey - a 17% return.
“What has come out clearly in this survey is that Whangamata residents want to ensure that wastewater will have a minimal impact on the environment and they are willing to pay for it,” said District Mayor, Philippa Barriball. “The four low cost options combined received only support from 9 per cent of the survey respondents. I also note that the Ratepayers Association is firmly endorsing a sea outfall.”
“We will begin the process of applying for resource consents during the next two months. Our existing consent expires at the end of this year so we have a strict timetable to meet,” she said.
TCDC staff and consultants will now undertake further technical investigations and consultation before firming up on the preferred disposal option.
10 February 2006 - Information Sheet on Whangamata Wastewater Plant.
The information sheet is part of the consultation process being undertaken by the Thames-Coromandel District Council to ensure the community has the opportunity to make its views known on the upgraded treatment plant and disposal options. Community groups and Iwi have given input into the information sheet.
“Whangamata needs a new or upgraded wastewater treatment and disposal system”, said TCDC District Mayor, Philippa Barriball
“We need to build a plant and disposal system that will achieve an environmentally acceptable standard of treated wastewater discharge to cope with the both holiday peak demand and the area’s future growth,” said Ms Barriball.
“Council will ensure the community is fully informed on the options and has an opportunity to comment. We want to make sure that when the feedback period closes on 24 February 2006 we have community input on the options to help with our decision making” she said.
Council will begin applying for the resource consents relating to the scheme in March/April this year.
Indicative costs for the treatment plant could be as much as $15 million and the options for disposal could range from $500,000 to potentially $7.5million. More reliable costings will be available once options, resource consent costs, and the final tender is received.
The information sheet covers background, resource consent process, the principles and goals of the Whangamata Community Plan as well as costs, disposal options, and a reply paid feedback form for the community to identify their preferred option.
Council will also be holding an open day at the TCDC Offices, Whangamata from 9.30 to 3.30 on February 11. TCDC Staff and its consultants will be available to answer queries for residents and ratepayers.
25 January 2006 - Information Sheet on Whangamata Wastewater Plant
Whangamata ratepayers and residents will receive in the mail next week an information sheet on the proposed disposal options for Whangamata wastewater.
The information sheet is part of the consultation process being undertaken by the Thames-Coromandel District Council to ensure the community has the opportunity to make its views known on the upgraded treatment plant and disposal options. Community groups and Iwi have given input into the information sheet.
“Whangamata needs a new or upgraded wastewater treatment and disposal system”, said TCDC District Mayor, Philippa Barriball
“We need to build a plant and disposal system that will achieve an environmentally acceptable standard of treated wastewater discharge to cope with the both holiday peak demand and the area’s future growth,” said Ms Barriball.
“Council will ensure the community is fully informed on the options and has an opportunity to comment. We want to make sure that when the feedback period closes on 24 February 2006 we have community input on the options to help with our decision making” she said.
Council will begin applying for the resource consents relating to the scheme in March/April this year.
Indicative costs for the treatment plant could be as much as $15 million and the options for disposal could range from $500,000 to potentially $7.5million. More reliable costings will be available once options, resource consent costs, and the final tender is received.
The information sheet covers background, resource consent process, the principles and goals of the Whangamata Community Plan as well as costs, disposal options, and a reply paid feedback form for the community to identify their preferred option.
Council will also be holding an open day at the TCDC Offices, Whangamata from 9.30 to 3.30 on February 11. TCDC Staff and its consultants will be available to answer queries for residents and ratepayers.
16 January 2006 - Council Developing Biosolids Strategy
The Thames-Coromandel District Council is developing a biosolids management strategy to deal with the solid and semi-solid material resulting from the treatment of sewage.
The strategy will link in with the new wastewater treatment plants for Tairua-Pauanui, Whitianga and Whangamata.
“The new plants will produce biosolids that need disposal on a regular basis. In addition, existing plants will require removal of biosolids that have accumulated over time”, said Group Manager, Service Delivery, John Whittle.
In the past, sewage sludge has accumulated in existing treatment ponds and in the majority of cases pumped into larger ponds. However, it is now approaching the time where any further postponement of sludge disposal is not possible.
“The biosolids management strategy will cover the disposal of biosolids to allow maximum protection of the environment, minimise social, cultural and financial costs and encourage use of biosolids as a resource.” said Mr. Whittle.
The options available could include:
- Reducing the quantity of waste from residential properties by encouraging composting toilets
- Incinerating biosolids in a high temperature incinerator
- Incorporating with green waste to produce good quality compost
23 December 2005 - Council Shortlists Plant Tenders
Thames-Coromandel District Council will invite three consortiums to submit design, build and operate tenders for the waste water plants for Tairua/Pauanui, Whangamata and Whitianga.
A total of seven registrations of interest were received and evaluated by Council staff and project consultants Opus. The process was audited by an independent probity auditor.
The successful companies are:
- Fletcher Construction (Brian Perry Civil) – Beca Infrastructure
- Fulton Hogan – MWH
- Works Infrastructure – SKM
“There has been strong interest from the contracting and consulting field for the projects,”said Group Manager, Service Delivery, John Whittle. “The companies chosen all have strong track records and experience both nationally and internationally in waste water plant design build and operation.”
The timetable calls for the tenders to be submitted by June 2006 with the successful tender announced in August and construction of the Tairua / Pauanui plant to begin shortly after that. The programme is completion of the Tairua/Pauanui plant in the final quarter of 2007.
The other two plants are expected to be operational during 2008 but this will be dependant on minimal delays in obtaining resource consents.
Council earmarked a total of $28 million for the plants in the 2004-2014 Long-term Council Community Plan. However, in the registrations of interest, the criteria were changed to cope with more recent growth projections and a proposed plant life of 30 years.
5 August 2005 - Wastewater Plant Project Managers Announced
Opus International Consultants have been appointed project managers for the design, build and operation of the new wastewater plants for Tairua, Whitianga and Whangamata
Council announced in April this year that it is to combine the three plants as a single multi stage tender. Cost of the plants was estimated at $27m in the 2004 Long-Term Council Community Plan.
18 April 2005 - Council Plans Multi-Stage Tender for Wastewater Plants
Council is to combine the design, construction and commissioning of three wastewater plants at Tairua-Pauanui, Whitianga and Whangamata in a single multi-stage tender.
The tender process for the Tairua–Pauanui plant will commence in May 2005. Tenders for the other plants will commence following community consultation and the granting of the necessary resource consents. The report indicates that each project will have a construction and commissioning process of up to 20 months subject to meeting consultation and consent requirements.
The decision is a key recommendation of a report prepared by Council staff and consultants on the options viable following the financial collapse of the preferred contractor for the Tairua–Pauanui plant.
The report says a multi-stage tender would attract fixed price offers from potential contractors with each invited to provide a single commercial offer covering each of the three projects.
The tender process would allow for council to vary baseline tendered prices for the Whitianga and Whangamata projects in the event of changes to timing or scope. Council also retains the right to accept, reject or vary the tendered proposal for the Whangamata and Whitianga projects. It is also suggested that by offering the three plants as a package there may be cost savings and a stronger ability to attract contractors due to the size and integration of the construction.
The report also indicates that future proofing the plants to cope with growth, new wastewater technology and changes in resource consents was to be a key requirement in the tender.
Cost of the three plants was estimated at $27m in the 2004 Long –term Council Community Plan. Council has also completed negotiations to secure Whangamata’s wastewater spray irrigation zone by purchasing irrigation zone 1 tree harvesting rights from Carter Holt Harvey Cost of the purchase was $1.038m
“The purchase ensures we can maintain our current irrigation area until alternatives are consented and constructed,” said Group Manager, Service Delivery, John Whittle.