Whaanga Coast wastewater project completion pushed back

The date of the completion of the Whaanga Coast wastewater scheme in New Zealand has been pushed back. Waikato District Council has announced that the project's completion will be pushed back to May, which will allow more time for existing property owners to become part of the scheme.

The project has so far seen around three-quarters of the total length of the main sewer line being installed. Spartan Construction has worked to install the pipeline along upper Wainui Road and Wainui Road. The contractor has also almost completed the construction of the new booster pump station that is located across from the Manu Bay Reserve.

Delaying the project will allow property owners that have not yet joined with the scheme more time to consider its benefits. Properties will easily be able to join the scheme while construction is still underway and any landowners that opt to join will be entitled to a subsidised connection price, according to Tim Harty, Waikato District Council general manager of service delivery.

Mr Harty said he is so far happy with the work that has been completed, despite the fact that a few small issues served to temporarily slow down the project. While these issues mean the completion date has been put back a few months, those who have not yet signed up have more time in which to do so.

Originally the scheme was due to reach completion later this month (March) but a number of minor setbacks have added two months to the project.

Mr Harty said: The project was scheduled for March completion however we’ve experienced a couple of setbacks including product delays and the need to finalise discussions with a group of property owners. To date, 70 residential and two commercial properties have signed up to the scheme - two-thirds of those connections are now installed and one system (the new kindergarten) is up and running.”

Any property owners that wish to join the scheme are able to do so by contacting Grant Tegidga at Waikato District Council.