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Meetings to discuss draft changes to OSET Plan

Wednesday 8 August 2012, 11:43AM

By Bay of Plenty Regional Council

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BAY OF PLENTY

Changes to improve how the discharge from septic tanks is managed throughout the region are the subject of public meetings being held by the Regional Council this month.

For more information visit our On-Site Effluent Treatment Plan page >>

Draft changes to the Regional Council's On-Site Effluent Treatment (OSET) Regional Plan are aimed at updating it to better reflect what is now known about domestic wastewater discharge and its impact on water quality.

The Plan helps manage the effects of the discharge from septic tanks on water quality in the region, focussing on specific areas.

Councillor Raewyn Bennett, Strategy, Policy and Planning Committee Chair, said the meetings were being held in the Rotoma/Rotoehu/Rotoiti, Rotorua, Te Puna, Tanners Point and Ongare Point, and Bryans Beach communities.  A community meeting has already been held at Matata.

"The draft plan change could affect residents in these particular communities, which don't yet have reticulated wastewater treatment systems," Cr Bennett said.

"Instead, they rely on on-site effluent treatment systems such as septic tanks and associated soakage fields, and aerated wastewater treatment systems."

Cr Bennett said the main changes include maintenance zone and soak hole requirements, and compliance dates. New maintenance zones are proposed for Matata and Bryans Beach.

"The changes also clarify that nitrogen remediation/offset for properties over two hectares in the Rotorua lakes area will not be managed under this plan and will fall under the Regional Water and Land Plan."

The Regional Council prepared an initial draft plan change earlier this year and the second version follows earlier community and stakeholder consultation.

The plan will also be aligned to reflect new standards and current scientific information.

The draft Plan Change is now available for comment, with the deadline Friday 31 August 2012.

For information on the draft plan change or public meeting dates go to www.boprc.govt.nz or contact the Council on 0800 884 880.

Meeting dates

Rotoma/Rotoehu/Rotoiti- 6.30pm, Friday 10 August; Rotoma/Rotoehu Community Hall, State Highway 30, Rotoma

Rotorua- 6.30pm, Monday 13 August; Mokoia Intermediate, Brent Road, Owhata, Rotorua

Te Puna- 6.30 pm, Wednesday 15 August; Te Puna Community Centre, Maramatanga Park, Tangitu Road, Te Puna

Tanners Point & Ongare Point- 6.30pm, Friday 17 August; Katikati War Memorial Hall Lounge, Main Road, Katikati

Bryans Beach- 6.30pm, Wednesday 22 August; Waiotahi Hall, SH 2, Opotiki