Subsidy rejection means Motueka's water supply reticulation on hold

October 27th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

The long-running debate over the reticulation of Motueka's water supply has taken another turn, with the Department of Health turning down an application by Tasman District Council for a $4 million subsidy to part-fund what many residents feel is an unwanted project.

TDC's Engineering Services Committee is meeting today to hear and discuss a government report rejecting the application. This leaves the ball in council's hands as to whether to:

Wait another year to apply for a subsidy next year - seen as less hopeful as government spending shrinks,
Go ahead with the reticulation project by increasing rates to fund it fully from ratepayers, or
Drop the scheme for now and let the reticulated network grow over 10 to 15 years through current funding mechanisms.

Jeff Cuthbertson, TDC's Utilities Asset Manager, recommended to today's meeting that a subsidy application be resubmitted to the next round of applications. We will give news of any decisions as they come to hand. See our earlier stories on this issue here (February 9th) and here (April 13th).

About 75% of Motueka residents still have private bores, and unsurprisingly a similar ratio of ratepayers say they do not want a one-hit reticulation project. The reasons given in surveys are that it will be too expensive for ratepayers, and it is largely unnecessary anyhow.

Without the subsidy that council hoped to gain, the expense would come from (a) extra rates to everyone, (b) connection fees of probably around $2000 for each household connecting in after that date, and (c) costs within each property to connect the mains to the plumbing system.

At present new reticulation pipes and connections are added for all new subdivisions and some other new properties, and council and the community board also would like to see the areas to the west of Motueka, near the aerodrome, reticulated as the aquifer there runs much deeper than eastern areas.

The other pressure to reticulate comes from the Department of Health's rating of Motueka water supplies as not meeting government standards. However, this does not mean the actual water is of poor quality - the rating is based solely on the age of the pipes and the depth of bores, without actually testing the water.

Community board chairman told Motueka Online that this subsidy rejection may take the focus off reticulation for some time, unless council is determined to include a large-scale upgrade as part of its Long Term Plan.

He said the community board has asked that reticulation be extended in a gradual way over perhaps 15 years, as and when needed, funded by the fixed $77 targeted rate paid by all dwellings at present, beginning with work around the western part of town.

Comment by Jenny Richards:
[Posted 29 October 2011]

Oh fantastic news, for those of us on bore water and loving it =75% of Motueka! Let's hope TDC shelve it indefinitely. After all, we fought the submission tooth and nail. It's what most of the town didn't want, but that TDC lot are a law unto themselves!

Comment by John Westall:
[Posted 30 October 2011]

Nelson Mail, Oct 28th, Jeff Cuthbertson said council staff would make another application for a subsidy for funds for the T.D.C. to muck around with Motueka,s water supply!!!

Your article 2= 3/4 of Motueka's 7000 residents rely on shallow bores for their water. 3/4 of those 7000 residents also voted against reticulation.

Which part of "we dont want it" doesn't Mr. Cuthbertson understand ?? The Health Dept's input is invalid as they have never actually tested Motueka,s water supplies!!

Nelson Mail, Oct 28th, A chlorine "overdose" injected into Atawhai's water system by a N.C.C "dosing" station??? Is this what we want for Motueka??? I think not. Also bear in mind the T.D.C's hidden agenda to take Motueka's water and hock it off somewhere down south.

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