A solution to Benhar's sewerage woes is another step closer, and discussions between residents and the Clutha District Council are progressing well.
Benhar sewerage committee chairman Phil Barrett said the committee was working well.
At a public meeting in July, he and five other Benhar residents - Ray Gouman, Christine Wharehinga, Glennis Abel, Judith Waters and Paul Semple - were elected to the community committee. Cr Bruce Graham represents the council on the committee.
A small community north of Balclutha, Benhar has only 44 properties, and it was unclear where the boundary lines would be drawn for the sewerage scheme.
Mr Barrett said there were "definitely" more people on the scheme than first thought.
"One of our biggest concerns was that it was not a complete system - some were going to be left out and the sewerage problem would not be solved."
The draft design for the scheme follows a reticulation system with septic tanks instead of the council's formerly preferred system using grinder pumps.
The committee met fortnightly and was more like a discussion than a formal meeting, Mr Barrett said.
The council's preferred "two-stage harmonisation" method would reduce the estimated Benhar total annual sewer rate from $1714 to $992, and for Tokoiti from $1780 to $1018. In doing so, it would also increase the Balclutha sewer rate by $27, Milton by $9 and the remaining sewerage schemes by about $11 a year.
A public meeting on the current Benhar proposal and costs will be held at the Balclutha War Memorial Hall next Tuesday at 7.30pm.
As part of the annual plan process, the council agreed that community sewage disposal schemes were the best way forward for the two townships as something needed to be done urgently to address the issues.
It also agreed to continue to investigate options for the most appropriate schemes, in consultation with each community, with new schemes implemented by June 30, next year.
Consultation over the next 12 months was expected to. -
• Identify targeted rating areas for sewage disposal in Benhar and Tokoiti to be included in the next long term plan.
• Confirm the council's preference of harmonising about 50% of capital costs, as well as operating costs, for the Benhar and Tokoiti schemes in the next long term plan (about halving the capital costs involved for these communities).
• Include a policy in the next long term plan to allow postponement of Benhar or Tokoiti sewerage capital rates on the basis of financial hardship to the ratepayer. This is due to be discussed at the corporate services committee meeting today.
