Note: In addition to this schedule above, Council completed a series of engagement hui with Iwi, Commercial and Industrial Ratepayers, Principals' Association and other stakeholders. 

The Three Waters Reform would see Kawerau’s drinking, wastewater and stormwater operations being controlled by Entity B. Kawerau has one of the lowest water costs in the country and modelling (by Council and also the reform body) shows that these costs would likely increase under the new operational model.

Council cannot project exactly what these costs would be with the information we currently have from the government.

Council listened to the feedback from the district in 2021 that said ‘no’ to joining Three Waters. Unfortunately, the government has since mandated by legislation that Councils must join. However, Kawerau has also joined with 31 other councils in the Communities 4 Local Democracies organisation which is seeking a pause on the current government reform and alternative solutions to the Three Waters Reform.

Taumata Arowai will effectively take over the current duties of the District Health Board (DHB) so we can presume that those costs would be transferred to the new regulator.

As part of the Annual Plan 2022-2023 engagement process we are talking to our major industries and also commercial operators for their feedback. At this stage it is too early, but we are encouraging residents and commercial ratepayers to make submissions to inform the Council’s decision-making.

The engagement process has only just began, but there has been some concern raised by both residents and an industrial organisation.

In 2021, the considerable areas of drinking water and other pipes were replaced in the district. Council is on track with the drinking water pipe replacement project. In 2022, the 8kms of drinking water pipes along River Road will be replaced as planned. In addition, 1.5 km of stormwater pipes will be replaced in the central business district. There is also $900,000 budgeted for wastewater pipes in 2022-2023.

Council understands that there campylobacter bacterium that entered one of the drinking water inlets that fed the district in Havelock North. The official government enquiry found there were a number of reasons for the failure. This outbreak which sadly resulted in four deaths and thousands of people becoming ill, prompted a government review of the way Three Waters was managed by Councils and regulated by Regional Councils and the District Health Boards.

The full government enquiry on the Havelock North drinking water incident can be sourced here:  https://www.dia.govt.nz/Government-Inquiry-into-Havelock-North-Drinking-Water-Report---Part-1---Overview

The second stage report of the government enquiry which prom-ted the Three Waters Reform can be found here https://www.dia.govt.nz/Report-of-the-Havelock-North-Drinking-Water-Inquiry---Stage-2

Residential rates for Kawerau properties are amongst the 25% lowest of all Councils in New Zealand. It is difficult to precisely compare rates for commercial and industrial properties unless the valuations and services provided are exactly the same. However, with the rating share for commercial and industrial businesses at 55% this means they may be higher than some other regions (where a 50:50 split is in place). This is partly due to the historic nature of Kawerau being formed to service the pulp and paper mill, and that it is a small district that has major industry.

Asbestos is not able to be destroyed, hence it has been a great material in use for many decades in the building industry. The only safe way to dispose of asbestos or asbestos contaminated material and soil is to wrap it in secure ‘hazibags’ (or similar wrapping) and bury it in a secure containment site.

Asbestos is not soluble in water, so it will not leach. However, any new secure containment site would be fully lined and the asbestos material wrapped given added protection against any other harmful contaminants that may leach.

There is an existing secure containment area with asbestos that was used as an emergency disposal site (and approved by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council). There is capacity within that existing cell to add more contaminated material.

No. Asbestos is not soluble in water, so it will not leach.

However, any new secure containment site would be fully lined and the asbestos material wrapped given added protection against any other harmful contaminants that may leach.

The existing asbestos cell and the proposed site are between the existing landfill and historical landfill. This entire area is subject to strict resource consent requirements that include quarterly ground water monitoring and a full ecological report every five years.

This site has been chosen as there is already historical landfills in this area that Council monitors regularly in accordance with Resource Consent requirements from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. In addition, there are two existing landfills in this land area, that are monitored. These landfill already contain asbestos and asbestos containing materials, which occured before the full extent of the harm of airborne asbestos to people was understood. 

It means that the existing groundwater monitoring sites will continue to be used, which will save many thousands of dollars in set-up costs. It is not viable financially or environmentally to consider any other alternative sites due to the existing monitoring and also the historical landfill sites.

See below for the site map: