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Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

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Mangawhai Matters: Council spin an alternative reality

 

 

matters logo-648Mayor Jake has headed a vigorous media campaign assuring us that the EcoCare hangover is under control – ‘put to bed… speculation and misinformation... Mangawhai Wastewater Treatment Plant funding issues in the past… we are on track… funding is in place’. 

He and Kaipara District Council (KDC) staff have repeatedly told us, our elected officials, and the Commissioners in the Mangawhai Central PPC78 hearing, that the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) has the funding and capacity to absorb the demands of Mangawhai Central alongside existing connection demand. 

This is clearly and demonstrably not the case.  

KDC has knowingly run a flawed debt repayment programme based on 4500-5000 connections paying down the $58m cost. Yet various reports from KDC staff and consultants from as far back as 2006 showed 3000 connections at best. 

Currently we have 2800 capacity but only 389 left to pay the remaining future community’s debt of $24.9m. Without Mangawhai Central (MC), development in Mangawhai is projected at 100 new connections a year. The proposed $24,766 future lot contribution for sewerage will leave us with an historic debt of $15.3m but no further connections.  

Within four years the WWTP will be at capacity without Mangawhai Central. A vigorous MC buildout starting 2022 means a massive increase in treatment and disposal capacity has to be found almost immediately.  

The draft 21/31 Long Term Plan (LTP) includes $20.4m for future WWTP capacity works. Future contributions firstly pay down historic debt and so little, if any, MC money will be available to fund the capacity increases demanded by their development. WWTP expansion will be debt funded. It gets worse. 

MC are offsetting contributions by funding various works which would normally be Council responsibility. Our core debt will not be repaid but indeed increase. What is more is that existing ratepayers will fund new infrastructure being prepared for MC until it comes on stream. Has KDC factored in this cost of capital in its secret agreement with Mangawhai Central? 

Curiously the draft 21/31 LTP does not mention the historic debt. Mangawhai residents paid their wastewater contributions as asked, so how does the remaining debt get paid? 

No matter how they spin it, Kaipara still has a major financial headache and KDC hiding and ignoring it will not get it paid.  

 Want to join the Mangawhai Matters Society Inc. as a member and have a say? It’s only $20 per family per year. Please make deposits to 01-0204-0160241-00. Following your payment please email us at mangawhaimatters@gmail.com giving us your name, phone, and address so we can keep in touch. 

Within four years the WWTP will be at capacity without Mangawhai Central. 


 
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