Anger, horror over costs of water, sewerage plan
Friday, 17 December 2007
By Jessica Wauchop

Sponge Bay, Wainui, Okitu and Makorori residents are outraged at what they feel is "lip service" by Gisborne District Council over plans for reticulation of the area.

Residents expressed their anger at an open day on Saturday at the council's decision to opt for full wastewater and water reticulation for Sponge Bay, Wainui and Okitu, and wastewater reticulation at Makorori.

Many who attended the open day said they felt their feedback had not been taken seriously and feared plans for reticulation would go ahead, despite mounting opposition.

Long-time Wainui resident Dick Calcott said while he was not against the plan for reticulation of the area, like many residents he was angered by the council's approach.

"I accept the idea and I agree with it but we are angry that it has been forced on to us.

"At the end of the day not all of us can find $26,000 and we are being told we have to pay for it. It is proposed as user-pays but being forced to pay for something we do not necessarily need or want is not user-pays."

Full reticulation for Sponge Bay, Wainui and Okitu could cost each household a lump sum of $26,000. Makorori residents face a lump sum of $47,600 for wastewater reticulation alone.

Like other residents, Mr Calcott believes reticulation of the area would be beneficial to the entire Gisborne community and the community should contribute to the costs.

"I have always contributed to the city. I have paid huge contributions. In our rates we pay for river control for rivers that will never flood, parks and reserves I never use, stock control and something called social responsibility.

"There is the perception that everyone who lives in this area is rich but we are not. There are a lot of people who have lived here a long time -- there are widows and widowers out here on pensions," he said.

"They cannot just find $26,000."

One Okitu widow said she had all but resigned to the idea of selling her house, as she could not afford the increased rates if reticulation of the area went ahead.

While the cost of the scheme is the first worry for many residents, other concerns are environment and social -- residents fear reticulation could lead to heavy development and subdividing.

Okitu resident Tony Harbott said support for the proposed reticulation was waning.

"People have done a complete mood swing on it -- they are not happy to have reticulation forced on to them."

Return to >> NEWS