A WorkSafe spokeswoman yesterday confirmed it had completed its investigation following the incident at the ponds 14 months ago.
The council has been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, including failing to make a workplace as safe as reasonably practical and a failure to comply with duty exposing an individual to risk of death or serious injury or serious illness.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said the council expected the charges.
‘‘It's an unfortunate situation, and the council is considering its options.’’
Council chief executive Stephen Parry said as the matter was before the court, the council was unable to comment.
On January 29 last year, the body of Lachlan Paul Graham Jones was found in the ponds after he went missing from his home in Salford St.
WorkSafe and police both launched investigations.
Mr Parry asked for a review of fencing and security around the ponds after the incident.
‘‘It is very difficult to determine what happened,'' he said at the time.
He said the gates were normally padlocked and there was a fence to keep stock out.
Last March, The Ensign reported a health and safety report said the council's insurance company had engaged Garth Gallaway, a health and safety law specialist based in Christchurch.
Council human resources manager Susan Jones said the company would help the council with the investigation.
Mr Hicks confirmed a review of the plant and its associated ponds had been initiated last year.
Investigators from WorkSafe were seen at the wastewater treatment plant and at the toddler's home, about 800m from the second oxidation pond, after the incident.
