Sewerage subsidy approved

A $3.3 million Government subsidy for the Himatangi Beach Community Sewerage Scheme has been approved.

Rangitikei MP and former Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie confirmed the contribution from the Ministry of Health’s Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme last week.

The community sewerage scheme will provide a long-term wastewater solution for Himatangi Beach by removing the localised contamination of the ground water and surface water caused by old septic tank systems. This will eliminate an environmental and public health hazard.

Mr McKelvie said the subsidy scheme was a great way for Government to assist small communities with limited means to fund sewerage treatment systems that resulted in better environments for local people and visitors.

“I hope this subsidy announcement gives the community the confidence to get on with the scheme,” he said. “I realise it is going to be difficult for some to pay, but I’m sure (Manawatu District) council will find ways to assist those people.”

He said having a sound sewerage scheme in a place like Himatangi Beach was much more important than in some other places because of the nature of the land and its location.

Manawatu District Mayor Margaret Kouvelis said she was very pleased to have confirmation that council had secured the Ministry of Health subsidy for Himatangi Beach.

“It means we are on track for commencing the project for the wastewater scheme,” she added.

MDC plans to have the new system in place by the end of 2013 and hopes to have 95 percent of households on the scheme within six years.