Storm water application "full of holes"

Veronica from Levin

An unprecedented number of new sub-divisions won’t increase the amount of storm water being discharged to Lake Horowhenua, according to Horowhenua District Council.

This is just one of the claims made by the Council in its five year stormwater resource consent application for Levin that Lake Horowhenua advocate Anne Hunt says is long overdue and has, "so many holes in it that Horizons asked for a response to 19 queries."

"The Council resorts to its usual procrastination by providing a time line until October 2019" to answer the questions, said Ms Hunt who was recently awarded a Mayoral civic award for her volunteer role.

HDC says it needs until October to do monitoring and consult with tangata whenua before it can demonstrate how the storm water discharges, "does not contribute to further decline of water quality in Lake Horowhenua and will improve water quality."

Vivienne Taueki of MuaUpoko Cooperative Society (MCS) sent an email to Council's chief executive David Clapperton on 10 February requesting to be included in consultation because Council indicated in its application it would only consult with Muaupoko Tribal Authority and Te Runanga o Raukawa.

"Please be advised again, the Muaupoko Tribal Authority does not represent the interests of Tamarangi hapu and I would be grateful if you would adjust your records accordingly," said Ms Taueki who was also a recipient of the Mayoral civic award for her volunteer role working towards maintaining ancestral lands and waterways.

In the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee agenda for 26 February Council still had not included MCS as one of the groups it would consult with about the cultural effects of storm water on the waterways.

"It is intended to consult with MuaUpoko Tribal Authority, Kohuturoa Marae, Lake Horowhenua Trust, Ngati Pareraukawa" and the report states, "Council will be guided by iwi as to parties for consultation."

This is despite Mr Clapperton saying in a past interview the Council recognises the importance and standing of Muaupoko Cooperative Society. “This is evidenced in the many meetings and consultation hui which Council officers are involved in with members of the Cooperative."

Consenting authority Horizons has also asked HDC to provide information on, "how additional roads and public areas (managed by HDC) will not result in an increase in [storm water] flows" which HDC will answer in May 2019.

Horowhenua does not provide storm water services to private properties but services, "roads, footpaths, berms and hard-standing areas in any connected residential and commercial properties.”

"Council's approach is...for private property storm water to be managed on-property...The [land] developer shall provide a satisfactory system for the collection and containment of contaminates and disposal of surface water on site."