Whangārei Wastewater Discharge Consent Renewal

We want to talk to you, consider the issues you feel are important, and explore possible solutions.

Our goal is to provide this necessary waste treatment service to the community with the least impact on the surrounding environment. We want to hear your concerns and expectations. Your input will help us as we develop our consent application over the next year.

We will also be involving local hapū and other groups such as Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, Fish and Game and the Whangārei Harbour Advisory Catchment Group.

If you would like to find out more, or be informed of upcoming public meetings about the consent process please contact Infrastructure Planning Team:

mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

You can find more information about the Wastewater Treatment Plant, what Council is doing to improve the harbour water and related information on this page:

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Broadly speaking, the answer is yes - but with more of a focus on the environment. Our goal is to ensure that wastewater entering our environment is improved over the term of the consent.

The maximum amount of wastewater we discharge is expected to stay the same, at 140,000 cubic metres a day. At the moment, we process around 21,000 cubic metres on a normal day but this increases during heavy rainfall.

Part of this consent process is a best options analysis, to make sure we're meeting our obligations under the Regional Plan as well as the National Policy Statement - Fresh Water Guidance. We will also work out any changes needed for improving Whangārei’s wastewater system, such as odour control upgrades.

We are applying for a 35-year consent duration.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant needs to renew its existing consent so that it can legally operate and dispose of effluent into the adjacent air, land and water in a regulated and responsible manner.

Council will also be seeking consent for the wastewater network and pump stations under a separate consent process.

No, this project is already budgeted for as part of the Council’s Long Term Plan 2018-2028.