Selwyn Times: February 19, 2020

SELWYN TIMES Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Wednesday February 19 2020 3
News
Darfield wastewater
scheme potentially 10 years away
• By Devon Bolger
DARFIELD RESIDENTS and
businesses could be waiting up
to 10 more years for a wastewater
scheme.
The township is one of the
largest unsewered communities
in New Zealand.
A business
case for a potential
sewerage
scheme for
Darfield was
presented at a
district council
meeting last
Wednesday.
It also in-
Debra Hasson
vestigated a potential wastewater
scheme for the Kirwee township.
The business case recommended
there is sufficient evidence
to support planning toward a
potential wastewater scheme for
central Darfield now.
District councillors voted to
endorse the recommendation
and to continue looking into
solutions to benefit the whole
Darfield community and Kirwee.
A statement will be included
in the 2020/21 Annual Plan consultation
document to further
engage the Darfield community’s
DEVELOP: District councillors voted to progress plans for a
wastewater scheme for Darfield and Kirwee but it could still be
up to 10 years away. ​
desire for the system.
Formal consultation on any
proposal would take place as part
of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan
process.
At the meeting councillor Debra
Hasson questioned the overall
time frame for the project.
‘What you’re talking about is
further consultation and then
further consultation under the
Long Term Plan. I take that as;
this project being 10 years away
is still a possibility,” she said.
District council asset manager
water services Murray England
responded: “Yes 10 years is a
possibility but also two years or
three years as well. The recommendations
I think are saying
stop wasting time and start
pushing forward.”
Darfield Motel owner Wally
Murdoch said the scheme going
7 MARCH
LINCOLN
ahead is good news.
“I think it has stunted the
development of Darfield a bit so
we definitely support it.”
The possibility of the new system
taking up to 10 years is not
ideal, Mr Murdoch said.
“The sooner the better for
us really I mean I think it will
continue to stunt the town until
it goes ahead.”
Dwellings in Darfield and
Kirwee currently rely on septic
tanks and other onsite treatment
systems.
The business case presented to
district councillors said: “There
is little evidence to support the
identified opportunity for a full
township wastewater management
scheme for Darfield and
Kirwee, or for Darfield alone.
“There was little support from
the wider stakeholder group for
a scheme to be developed unless
required to protect public health
and that the capital contribution
from ratepayers did not create a
burden,” it said.
• HAVE YOUR SAY:
Do you support the
recommendations for the
Darfield wastewater scheme?
Email your views to devon.
bolger@starmedia.kiwi
The Summer
Concert of 2020
www.selwynsounds.co.nz
In Brief
DEMOLITION DELAYED
The demolition of 5 Gerald St
in Lincoln, formerly Lincoln
Chinese Takeaway, by the
district council has been
delayed. Disposals and leasing
manager Rob Allen said they are
currently confirming start dates
with the demolition contractors
and their sub-contractors.
SKATEBOARDER RESCUED
Firefighters helped a boy,
who was skateboarding, out
of the bowl at the Leeston
Skatepark after he injured his
leg. Leeston chief fire officer
Lloyd Clausen said they were
called to the incident on Friday
at about 3.20pm. The boy was
transported to Christchurch
Hospital.
PANEL APPOINTED
The district council appointed
four councillors to be part
of the hearings panel for
the proposed District Plan.
Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall,
Councillors Mark Alexander,
Debra Hasson and Nicole Reid
were chosen. The panel will
hear the submissions on the
proposed District Plan and make
recommendations to the district
council.
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