DECEMBER HAKIHEA 2023
Is the end to Seaview stink in sight? Motorists driving through Seaview have grown accustomed to sealing their windows shut and switching off air conditioning as they pass through the area; spare a thought for nearby residents and businesses who are enduring an even more pronounced sewage stench than usual this summer. Attendees at last week's public meeting hosted by the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant’s owner Hutt City Council and operators Wellington Water Ltd, were informed that the timeline for addressing the persistent odour issue had shifted. Contrary to last month’s announcement projecting a solution was 4-6 years away, the work is now being fast tracked towards a 1-3 year completion, dependent on Long-Term Plan decisions. The design for the project is still pending. In the meantime, the replacement of the plant's biofilter media is under way. Biofiltering is a crucial step in wastewater treatment, and , in theory at least, should reduce odour. Odour blasters were operating and the media would be replaced in each of the six cells, one at a time, to reduce the odour. Wellington Water apologised for the current smell, which was worse than predicted. Bell Road mother Kylie Hood, who with her partner Chris Hetherington was “the brains behind the meeting”, according to local business owner Jayson Eveleigh, says the announcement of the shorter timeframe for work was “a bit surprising”.
Love, Joy and Peace were all on display at Sunday's C aro l S e r v i c e at S t Ronan's. The community packed the church, belting out favourite festive songs.
After years of their complaints not being registered properly, prior to the meeting they had been advised that the project to upgrade the facility, scheduled in the Council’s Long Term Plan in years 4 – 6, was delayed indefinitely. The work will pause between 22 December and 10 January and will be completed by 25 January. Despite the break over Christmas, the timing is terrible for at least one local business. Just as the weather is heating up, tourists arriving at the Top 10 Holiday Park are commenting on the smell. Currently playgrounds at the three local schools within reach of the odour are off limits, with children having to stay inside because the smell is too strong. On the home front, “you can’t cool the house down because you have to keep the windows shut,” Ms Hood says. She’s sceptical about the outcome of the work. “We presume it will make a difference, but we’ve had lots of promises before.”
Join us for an absolute cracking day. Upper Hutt 14 December 33 –– 6pm 7pm Petone & Porirua
Merry Christmas! Local iwi representatives voiced concerns at the meeting about being overlooked in the decision-making process, especially considering the plant’s location on the historic Waiwhetu Pa site. Jayson Eveleigh, who has operated a business in Seaview for 15 years, says for years he was told the odour was coming from the Waiwhetu Stream. The stream pollution has been cleaned up, but the smell has got steadily worse. A Resource Consent requirement is for the odour to stop at the site boundary. Residents were told to report odour issues to regulator Greater Wellington Regional Council so they can be investigated and fines potentially issued (0800 496 734). HCC is encouraging residents to submit in support of fast-tracking the project during consultation on the Long Term Plan from April 2024. https://haveyoursay.huttcity.govt.nz/ long-term-plan-2024-2034-early-engagement
PETONE 25 Bouverie Street Phone: 569 8311
UPPER HUTT 9 Park Street Phone: 527 2227
PORIRUA 3 Semple Street Phone: 233 8009
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Family Fun
Christmas Crafts
Columbus Cafés Open
Get your Christmas shopping done early with great Christmas deals. To find out more, and for T&C’s, refer to mitre10.co.nz/christmasevent