Dunedin city councillors have backed plans for the $74.3
million stage two upgrade of Dunedin's secondary sewage
treatment facilities despite fresh questions about community
consultation.
Councillors at yesterday's infrastructure services committee
meeting voted in favour of the preferred "option A", the
installation of new secondary treatment systems at the city's
Tahuna wastewater plant.
The systems, including ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection,
digestion systems and drying techniques, were needed to
replace the plant's chlorination disinfection method, which
had to cease by September 1, 2011, existing consents
stipulate.
Only Cr Teresa Stevenson - who abstained - failed to support
option A, which was one of about 40 dry and liquid options
considered before a shortlist was drawn up earlier this year.
The planned upgrade followed the commissioning on January 23
of the city's new $37 million, 1.1km outfall pipe leading out
to sea from Lawyers Head, which has dramatically improved
water quality, including at St Kilda and St Clair beaches.
Questions were asked at yesterday's committee meeting about
the need for further community consultation after the cost of
the preferred option rose by $7.1 million above the $67.2
million budget.
Cr Richard Walls said the additional capital cost was a
"considerable increase" on what was included in existing
budgets.
While Cr Walls did not believe further community consultation
was needed, he wanted the question addressed by staff anyway
given "some people are running round stirring what's in the
pot".
His comment followed calls by some councillors and members of
the public for another round of community consultation over
perceived changes to the $198 million Otago Stadium project.
Council environment general manager Tony Avery said while the
budget for the Tahuna upgrade had increased, the council had
been clear throughout about its stage two upgrade plans.
Council water and waste services manager John Mackie said
while there was no direct community consultation, key
stakeholders "without exception" had supported proceeding
despite increased costs.
Committee chairman Cr Andrew Noone said he was confident
staff and consultants had followed the proper process in what
was "the last major step in the 20-year upgrade" of the
city's wastewater treatment facilities.
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