The following consultation document has been prepared by the Nelson Regional Sewage Business Unit (NRSBU).
Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are joint owners of the NRSBU, which is governed by a Board of Directors. The consultation document seeks public feedback on options to deal with the risk of failure of the current sewage pipeline between Monaco and Bells Island and on future options for upgrading the sewerage system.
The NRSBU document outlines:
• The current concerns about the risk of sewage pipeline failure in the estuary between Monaco and Bells Island.
• The eight options to upgrade the various components of the total sewage pipeline system, in ways that will safely handle increased future flows. These options range in cost from about $25 million up to $50 million.
• The NRSBU calculated predicted effects of each option on Tasman District pan charges (sewerage rate per property).
Note that Tasman District Council does not consider the NRSBU's predicted charges, as outlined in the consultation document, to be an accurate indication of how Tasman's pan charges would increase and the Council is currently developing more accurate indicative pan charges for each option over the 20 year period.
Addressing the risk of failure of the sewage pipeline between Monaco and Bells Island is a high priority and will need to be dealt with urgently. Other aspects of the proposals outlined may not happen for several years.
Tasman District Council has not yet had an opportunity to fully evaluate the eight options put forward by the NRSBU and to consider what is best for the people of the Tasman District. Council will make public comment on the options by way of a formal submission to the NRSBU. When making any evaluation, the Tasman District Council will give careful consideration to affordability by way of capital costs and ongoing operating costs, as well as environmental sustainability, the reliability of modern pipeline technology, cultural issues, and future population growth.
While the Tasman District Council will be making a formal submission on behalf of the District, ratepayers with views on the options are encouraged to make an individual submission to the NRSBU.
Submissions close Friday 27 February 2009.
 Bells Island pipeline upgrade consultation (236 K)
Bells Island pipeline upgrade strategy (712 K)
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