Stop Polluting the Manukau Harbour Society

Our friends have launched a petition aimed at stopping discharges of treated (and untreated) wastewater into the Manukau Harbour.

We would love to have your support by signing and sharing this petition - it only takes a minute (probably less!). The more people who sign, the louder our voice becomes and the bigger impact we can have. Our recent win demonstrates that the community is being listened to and we can enact change.

https://community.greenpeace.org.nz/petitions/stop-polluting-the-manukau-harbour-2?fbclid=IwY2xjawFDei1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZ1T9v5FghpeQEDrKOf1LXNH7nuqGWUfusPajwsuaUyZqzhqdzNN_KfjFA_aem_ZFzixgd8C5svpnYP007j4Q

Stop polluting the Manukau Harbour It's time to stop polluting the Manukau Harbour, a taonga of Auckland! Join me in urging Government to step in - free the Manukau Harbour of waste water discharges and restore the mana of the Harbour.

WATERCARE HAVE WITHDRAWN

Watercare have officially announced today that they are withdrawing their application to build a waste treatment plant at Glenbrook.

This is a monumental, landmark decision and a positive step towards our goal of achieving a cleaner Manukau Harbour.

This isn’t over yet though. We have concerns regarding Watercare’s intentions to upgrade Clark’s Beach and we look forward to working constructively with Watercare to achieve the best outcome for the Harbour.

Plans abandoned for $400m wastewater plant near Manukau Harbour Glenbrook residents are ecstatic, saying they chased Watercare away.

In case you missed this one over the weekend, here’s another great media report over the Watercare debacle

'We have chased them away': Rural community's win over wastewater plant plan Watercare has six days to decide whether to appeal or abandon the plans.

UPDATE: RECOMMENDATION MADE FOR WATERCARE TO WITHDRAW THEIR APPLICATION.

Great news!

Following several months of deliberation by the Commissioners following the Hearing in February, their report has been released today with the recommendation that Watercare WITHDRAW their Notice of Requirement application.

The foundation for their recommendation is based on the fact that Watercare already have an apparently suitable site for the Project, development of which will achieve a number of important national and regional outcomes than the site at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road. Their existing site at Waiuku (next to the Steel Mill) can also be developed in a way that will have fewer effects on the environment and the communities of the Glenbrook Beach area.

You can read the full report and recommendation here:
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/nor_sw_wwtp_recommendation.pdf

Next steps from here:
Watercare have 30 working days to advise Auckland Council if they accept or reject the recommendation in whole, or part.

If they reject the recommendation then it can go to appeal.

We haven't crossed the finish line yet, but this is a fantastic result and we couldn't be more pleased. Thank you all for your support in helping to achieve this!

We have also had an update on the pipeline - that this is unfortunately progressing without community consultation. We are exploring our options and reviewing the documentation that has been made available to us. Once digested, we will be in a position to provide some further details.

www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Stop Polluting the Manukau Harbour
Incorporated Society

372 Glenbrook Beach Road Wastewater Treatment Plant update.

As you may be aware the council hearing for the Notice of Requirement to designate land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road for the purpose of constructing and operating a Wastewater Treatment plant was held in Pukekohe, beginning February 7. Due to the large number of submitters who were prepared to speak in opposition to the proposal, the hearing rolled over to include Monday 12th February. This was an incredible effort as preparing a statement to present is both time-consuming and nerve wracking!

Thank you so much for stepping up to be heard. Your personal presentations were influential. A very special thanks to all our other supporters who dropped into the hearing at various points, your attendance was noted by the Commissioners.

In late January the SPTMH society engaged Dr Grant Hewison a lawyer who specialises in environment and resource management law, to guide us with our submissions. Mark Gasson (Chair) with the support of other members spent many hours over January preparing a detailed and well researched submission which was presented to the Commissioners prior to the hearing on behalf of SPTMH. Individuals made personal submissions on their own concerns and/or areas of expertise.

The key points were: -
• The proposal is inconsistent with the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022. The original preferred site at the current Waiuku WWTP is the only land considered that is not Highly Productive.
• Visual effects of the buildings. The tallest buildings on the highest part of the site will be for safety - Bright yellow. Proposed planting will not obscure the buildings - even after 20 years.
• The odour buffer is not sufficient, odour will be assessed by Council smell tester noses.
• The noise limit maximum should be 40dBLAeq at all times, not 45 BbLAeq as recommended.
• The cumulative effects arising from construction of the proposed conveyance pipeline together with the WWTP proposal will have significant adverse effects on the environment and the local community.
• The existing Discharge Consent off Clarks Beach is predicated on an upgraded treatment plant located on the site of the existing Waiuku WWTP.
• Concerns that the population growth projections for the area are exaggerated.
As a result of the many submissions, we felt that the Commissioners got a good feeling for the character of the area and how the plant would impact adversely on that. At the end of the hearing, they asked Water care some ‘curly’ questions that Watercare officials were not able to answer easily, so we left feeling optimistic for a positive outcome.

BANK ACCOUNT
The SPTMH Society Inc now has a bank account. If you would like to support us, please donate whatever you can to help us pay the lawyers bill. Our account is: -

Stop Polluting the Manukau Incorporated Society
ANZ, PUKEKOHE
06-0477-0935874-00

363 Glenbrook Beach Road, RD 1, Waiuku 2681
[email protected]

UPDATE: HEARING NOTIFICATION

If you lodged a submission for Watercare's application to re-zone the land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road to a waste treatment facility, then you will have received an email today from Auckland Council.

Watercare's application is moving to a public hearing to be held in Pukekohe for three days across 7, 8 and 9 February 2024.

If you wish to speak at the hearing, then you need to complete an 'Appearance Form' and provide Auckland Council with a written copy of your evidence by midday on 26 January 2024.

Given the upcoming break, this isn't the best of timings!

More information about the Hearing can be found here - https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say/hearings/find-hearing/Pages/Hearing-documents.aspx?HearingId=753

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to complete a submission! 🙌 We are so grateful for your support and together we have a greater chance of getting a better outcome for the Manukau Harbour.

TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BE HEARD. Submissions on Watercare's application to re-zone 56 hectares of prime horticultural land to a waste treatment plant at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road close today at midnight.

If the proposed new plant is built at Glenbrook Beach then we are accepting the status quo for ourselves and future generations of a polluted Manukau Harbour. Our preferred option is for Watercare to re-locate their plant to their own original preferred option next to the Steel Mill as this would keep good long-term options on the table for our future generations and provide the opportunity to finally have a safe, clean Harbour.

If you aren't sure what to say in your submission, then we have created a handy pre-populated form here which will only take a couple of minutes to complete - https://www.jotform.com/sptmh23/watercarewtf

Otherwise, you can do your own submission from scratch using Auckland Council's form which can be found here - https://tinyurl.com/3cvd35b3

For all of you who have submitted so far, thank you so much.

Notice of Requirement Submission Watercare Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road Please click the link to complete this form.

We've created an online pre-populated 'tick box' submission form to try make the submission process as easy as possible for you.

There are also spaces for 'other' if you want to write anything additional.

It can be accessed via this link: - https://form.jotform.com/sptmh23/WatercareWTF

Please complete and share with anyone else who you think might be interested or would be willing to assist with our objectives.

Submissions close on Monday night (13 November 2023).

Thank you

Notice of Requirement Submission Watercare Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road Please click the link to complete this form.

If you haven't seen it already, check out this article (currently paywalled) - video to follow.

Sign a submission now to stop Watercare from polluting our Harbour!

Link to make a Submission:: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=203&mkt_tok=NjYyLVRTTS0xNzIAAAGOxfm0SElbSo4bl_NEby462-2qHMS12wgRNgDNh8g6dXbWkBg42LOm64QjsEKl-IZS0MSV-uDxBe_mz8h_EA

Article: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/small-glenbrook-beach-community-fears-for-the-health-of-manukau-harbour-from-new-wastewater-treatment-plant/55G65QID6FFTJLC2PBXYWQOV7M/

IMPORTANT !!
If you haven’t lodged your SUBMISSION, please do it Now!!

We will be running a workshop to help you fill in your submissions in relation to the proposed watercare treatment plant. For some this may seem like a daunting task so we are here to help and guide you through it. It only takes a few minutes. The submissions are about how this plant will effect you!
The more submissions the better it is, anyone 16 years and over can do it in your household All submissions need to be in by November 13th.

So come along to Hall by the boat ramp in Kahawai Point this Sunday 12-4pm.

Picture below is of the pollution from the Mangere plant. Let’s stop this happening in our backyard too.

Help us stop Watercare from polluting the Manukau Harbour in two easy steps:

1. Join us and support our objections - https://form.jotform.com/sptmh23/waterDONTcare

2. Lodge a submission to stop the land from being re-zoned.
https://tinyurl.com/3cvd35b3

details Auckland Unitary Plan details

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

Watercare's application to re-zone ALL 56 hectares of land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road from market gardening to a sewage plant has now been publicly notified. 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟑 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑.

You can make a submission here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3cvd35b3

If you care about the health of our Harbour then please make a submission. The quality of our water is so important and there are better alternatives to what Watercare are trying to force upon us.

For more info or for help with your submission, please email us at [email protected]

Was great to have Andrew Bayly come along and support us.

Strong engagement last night by the Glenbrook Beach Community regarding the proposed Watercare wastewater plant. As promised, I spoke to the CEO of Watercare today to inform him about the results from the meeting and the need to engage more fully with the community

Really appreciate the great turnout last night at our meeting about the waste treatment plant! There were lots of great questions for a quality Q & A time. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend.

If you weren't able to come, but are interested in achieving the best possible outcome, we have a membership form - this one is really important as we need to get as many people as possible to be in support of the Society's position (you don't need be a financial member). The more people who want us to represent them, the louder our voice is. You can still also have your own say.

You can private message us or email us at [email protected] for a copy of the form, along with any comments or questions you have (we can't attach PDF's to this page currently).

We want to make this as easy as possible, so if you'd prefer us to come by with the form and our petition then send us an email. If there is enough interest, we can also look to hold a second meeting.

We know the area needs infrastructure, but we do not agree that this is the best location. We have an opportunity to address the pollution of the Manukau Harbour. The plant being built at Glenbrook is short-sighted and severely limits future opportunities to prevent further treated wastewater and bypass events into the Harbour.

Regardless of the outcome, we should be aiming for the best possible mitigation and ensuring that there is accountability for an asset that will be with us for many years.

Thanks again,
Stop Polluting the Manukau Harbour Society Inc

REMINDER - community meeting tomorrow night (Weds 11th) at 7pm at the Glenbrook Beach Community Hall for an update from us about the waste treatment plant.

We need as many people there as possible. There will be a Q & A session.

We will be having a meeting with Watercare senior management in the days after so it’s important we can relay your sentiments to them.

Thanks,

Planned Watercare Sewage Plant at 372 Glenbrook Beach

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗧 𝟳:𝟬𝟬𝗣𝗠 𝗔𝗧 𝗚𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟.

𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽. We are holding a community meeting on Wednesday 11 October 2023.

𝗪𝗵𝘆? Watercare are progressing their application with Auckland Council. If you don’t want Watercare to build a sewage plant in your backyard, then come to this meeting and support us.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲? We are your neighbours and we DO NOT want a wastewater treatment plant in our beautiful rural / seaside community.

On professional advice, we have formed a Society (SPTMH) because:
● There is strength in numbers; and
● As a Society we will have a louder voice and will be taken more seriously.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁:
Come to our meeting. We have prepared a 15-20 minute presentation to share with you and will have an open floor Q & A session.

We can fight this but we need your support, together we can achieve a better outcome for our community.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂:

● 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 - who wants to buy or build a house next to a sewage plant?

● 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - the road will be ripped up to lay pipes and roadworks are likely to disrupt your commute for the next three years.

● 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹 - The odour from this plant will be offensive, persistent and it will stink all of the time, some days worse than others. No amount of planting or odour buffer will stop it.

● 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 - The size of the land purchased means the site has been futureproofed for expansion. They are already building for a 30,000 person capacity with provision to extend to 60,000 people. However, they are designating the entire 56 hectares for a sewage plant so there is nothing to stop them expanding in the future. A site this large could service all of Auckland.

● 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 - This project allows Watercare to continue the status quo of dumping wastewater, treated or not, into the Harbour. Why is this allowed in this day and age when we have the technology, resources and better alternatives available?

We want Watercare to engage appropriately with the community and stop mis-leading and misrepresenting us.

Please also share this with anyone else who you think may be interested in this topic.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/300978627/sinkhole-formed-after-auckland-sewer-collapse-closing-some-beaches?fbclid=IwAR2zZ8WU1v6XuLUIMfMlWJc4GkRxnO-NKeMsgDgQCoeVzJjnNiPG8CuXGtE_aem_AW7Fl1sPwxJVgptr9QiNwvQ9h5fqEqJI-c-dBD2UiD7GwKTwe7H2PLu_PsfimcbjC94

Sinkhole formed after Auckland sewer collapse, closing some beaches The collapse of a Central Auckland sewer line has resulted in a massive sewage overflow pouring into Waitemata Habour, created a large sinkhole, and seen the closure of some Auckland beaches.

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓

Hi everyone,

It’s been a little while since we provided an update, but since the community meeting that we held on 07 June 2023, our little group has been busy behind the scenes and we also now have a name; 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐔𝐊𝐀𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘 (or 𝐒𝐏𝐓𝐌𝐇 - we fully acknowledge this isn’t the greatest of acronyms!).

Recently, Watercare applied to Auckland Council to get the land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road re-zoned from mixed rural (e.g. cropping) to a sewage plant. Included in this application is the results of their ‘consultation’ with the community. Watercare have concluded ‘𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝’. This statement is factually incorrect. If you disagree with Watercare’s conclusion then join us! You can also contact Auckland Council and register your concern regarding Watercare’s conclusions and the re-zoning of the land at [email protected].

Regardless of individual opinions towards this project, there is strength in numbers and we need to get the best outcome for the community and the Harbour. We are looking for people who are passionate and wish to join or support our group and need the following help now:

1. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 - (We know life is busy so we can do it for you and represent your interests). A support member is someone who wishes to support the objectives of the society. They are not required to pay any membership fees/subscriptions and have no membership rights, privileges or duties (although donations are welcome).

2. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 - A financial member pays a $25 annual membership fee and may attend meetings, speak and vote at general meetings. This would be an option if you want to take a more active role in helping us.

3. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 - financial support, donations and membership fees will be used to pay for legal advice, specialists, expertise etc. We are serious about challenging Watercare and to do so, we need to engage experts and this will cost money.

Below are some other areas where we are seeking help / expertise:

4. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 - we are looking for someone with good communication and social media skills who can help with communications such as maintaining a page/Facebook posts, newsletters etc.

5. 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 - we want to start showing our opposition to this location and think signage along the road is a good place to start. If you can help with signwriting and design let us know

6. 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫 and a 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 - we need someone with these skills to help analyse the documents submitted by Watercare and provide guidance and technical advice.

If you or someone you know has these skills (or any other special talents) then please reach out!

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐭𝐦𝐡𝟐𝟑@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦

Amongst other things, your help so far has led to a revisit of Watercare’s pipeline consent application/ripping up of our road. Auckland Council have paused this and gone back to Watercare with further requirements.

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟎𝟖 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑:
To everyone who wasn’t able to make the meeting last night regarding Watercare’s plans - we have a petition and an objections form for people to complete.

If you are interested in signing these forms, then please PM me your address and we will pop around this evening to get these completed with you.

Thanks

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟎𝟕 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑:
Just a reminder of the community meeting tonight at Glenbrook Beach Hall at 7:30pm to discuss Watercare’s plans.

This meeting is being held by some of the residents. There will be a presentation and opportunity for Q&A and discussion to talk through aspects of the project, what we can do, and an alternative solution.

Hope to you see you there.

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟎𝟓 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑:
Hi everyone, you may have received a flyer in your mailbox about the proposed wastewater treatment plant meeting, here are the details along with some contact information. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝟑𝟕𝟐 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝟎𝟕 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐀𝐓 𝟕:𝟑𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐀𝐓 𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋

You may be aware that Watercare have recently announced that they are intending to build a large sewage treatment plant and associated pipelines in our neighbourhood. Here is how it is likely to affect you:

𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
Watercare will shortly begin work to lay a pipeline between the Waiuku sewage treatment plant (near the steel mill) to Kahawai Point. This work will involve multiple simultaneous excavation sites along most of Glenbrook Beach Road (GBR) with traffic-light-controlled one lane sections of up to 400m long. Trucks will also be removing soil and delivering aggregate from a laydown site on GBR.

This work will add significant delays to your commute for at least the next 18 months and in places, may prevent access to your own driveway for days at a time.

For those of us on GBR with school-age children Watercare's traffic effects document (undertaken in 2021) states that the effects will be negligible as the children negotiate the excavation zone to get to and from the buses. We say that this will present a major risk of injury or death and that Watercare needs to consider their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work 2015 legislation.
Watercare want the pipeline consent to be non-notified. We object!

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐞
Watercare plan to build structures 12 metres in height at 372 GBR. The plant is designed to cater for a population of 30,000 with provision to expand to 60,000.

We say they should go back to locating this plant at their original preferred site (which they already own) adjacent to the steel mill.

𝐎𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫
Watercare propose a 300 metre odour buffer. We know that when the wind blows the odours will not respect this buffer. We aim to raise a stink about this.

𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
At full capacity (30,000) Watercare plans to pump around 125,000 tonnes of nitrates into the Manukau Harbour each year. This should be piped direct to the Tasman Sea as Watercare originally favoured.

𝐖𝐞, 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟕 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐚𝐭 𝟕:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 ‘𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬’ 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.

Please also share this with anyone else who you think may be interested in this topic. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

For more information contact: [email protected]

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟔 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑:
𝗥𝗘: 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵-𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁
It was great to see the turnout on Thursday evening, thanks to everyone who has shown an interest in this topic.

If my partner didn't manage to get your email, could you please PM or email it to me (along with anyone else's emails who you think may be interested). I heard a lot of well formed thoughts and opinions on the night and I'm keen to collect a record of these as Watercare certainly weren't taking any notes of the conversations had.

Watercare have ignored the overwhelming interest we all have in the road and applied for a non-notified consent to tear up the entirety of the road to lay their pipes, before they had even shown face on Thursday.

For next steps - we will be seeking a professional opinion on whether we can challenge the various parts of this project's consents to make sure they are notified in a transparent manner so that the community has an honest chance at consultation. We will keep you posted as to whether there is any action we can take.

There are far better ways to achieve the desired outcome by working together than the nonsense that has been proposed.

Cheers - Dave
[email protected] 021774037

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟎𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑:
Watercare have stated they will be building a new sewage plant on recently purchased land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road.

We, as concerned residents, have attempted to find out further information, but would like to make the community aware of what our understanding is of their plans, as Watercare have not been overly transparent. They are trying to be dismissive of the public consultation process, but there are still plenty of opportunities for us to effect change to their plans.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁/ 𝗦𝗶𝘇𝗲
Watercare have provided their concept plan for the Glenbook site which they say will be similar to the recently upgraded Pukekohe Wastewater Treatment Plant at Parker Lane, Buckland.

Photos are included below which show the concept plan for Glenbrook and also recent images of the Parker Lane sewage plant to give you an appreciation of what Watercare intend to put on our doorstep for the next 100 years, without proper consultation.

The Parker Lane facility has buildings up to three storeys high, and Watercare confirmed our site will have similar height buildings, along with a gantry crane and storage holding ponds.

The Glenbrook plant will be processing sewage from Glenbrook, Waiuku, Clarks Beach and Kingseat. These are rapidly growing communities and we can anticipate a property of this size (56 hectares) has been selected to futureproof further expansion to go along with the growing population for these areas.

𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱/ 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰
We’ve all experienced the dismal condition of our road – our only means of travelling in and out of Glenbrook Beach and Kahawai Point.

With the Parker Lane facility, Watercare’s website detailed they had 150 construction workers on site, so we can estimate at least 300 light vehicle movements per day. This will be in conjunction with heavy vehicle movements such as concrete trucks, trucks carrying heavy machinery, equipment, pipes, etc. This will all add to congestion concerns and further degradation of our road.

Watercare also need to lay two pipelines from the site to Kahawai Point where they will cross the Taihiki River to Clarks Beach. They will then construct a single pipeline which will run the length of Glenbrook Beach Road and back to the existing Waiuku Waste Treatment Plant near the Steel Mill.

For this to occur, Glenbrook Beach Road will be dug up so these pipes can be laid which will mean long term disruption and no alternative route for traffic. Watercare have just applied for a non-notified public consent, so they don’t have to engage with the community about this.

It is also likely that Watercare will be trucking sewage in and out of Glenbrook Beach and possibly Clarks Beach and Kingseat, until the project is complete.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
The Manukau Harbour has been Auckland’s dumping ground for too long. Watercare intend to pump nitrates and phosphates into the Harbour using a discharge point 100m from the Clarks Beach golf club. Farmers have restrictions on putting these same chemicals into our waterways so why are Watercare excluding cleaner options? Why are they also excluding their original preferred option of discharging into the Tasman Sea via the Waiuku site?

Watercare have a history of being a bad neighbour. We are all aware of the Black Flag no-swim notices in our area and they turn a blind eye to non-compliance of their existing assets. We need a guarantee that this will change if they want to come into our neighbourhood.

For example, the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant has been in various degrees of non-compliance forever, despite numerous upgrades. You may also be aware that in March 2023, the Clarks Beach facility was non-compliant due to high faecal coliforms. Watercare’s solution was to make a statement that “the plant will return to full compliance if they had no further failures”. Doing nothing is not an acceptable solution and this attitude is unreasonable.

Watercare have outlined a buffer zone around the site, however sewage plants come with an odour. Consideration needs to be given to wind direction and what happens during plant failure/breakdown, an extended power cut or flooding?

You will be well aware of how tidal the Harbour is, especially our tributaries. Watercare have stated it takes 19 to 24 days for the sewage to reach the Tasman Sea from Clarks Beach. Watercare have also failed to provide any hydrodynamic modelling and users will be well aware of the w**d content due to excessive nutrients.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲
Watercare are in a rush. They need to have this sewage plant operational by June 2026 otherwise their inner harbour discharge consent runs out.

Watercare stated they have already begun laying pipework on developer land at Kahawai Point. The alarming part is that last week they applied for resource consent to tear up the entirety of Glenbrook Beach Road for the next year so they can lay pipes. This is despite the fact they enjoy the right to thrust pipe wherever they like, at no cost to them. They have no legal obligation to consider the impact this has on the people who use this road every day.

𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
There are better outcomes. The Manukau Harbour is enjoyed by many for swimming, fishing, scalloping, sailing and visiting the beaches with children and pets. Proximity to the water is a major drawcard and is the asset of our community.

We must ensure we are good custodians, including Watercare and do a better job at looking after our Harbour for future generations.

Watercare are responsible for providing safe drinking water and
safe disposal of sewage for the people of Auckland. These are basic functions we entrust to the Council and pay them handsomely. Let’s implement the best 100-year solution.

This is an opportunity for the community to get involved and push Watercare to make the right judgment that they had originally indicated was the best solution – thrusting the pipe from the existing Waiuku plant near the Mill, across the Awhitu Peninsula some 7km, to be discharged 2km into the Tasman Sea. This site already exists and enjoys huge buffer zones. The current plan doesn’t make sense when you compare it against this option.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴“𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻” 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟱𝗽𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹. We are exploring options for what has gone wrong in Watercare’s process and are looking to propose a special Residents & Ratepayers Association meeting or similar following this. Please let us know if you would like to come so we can prepare snacks/pizza.

Please also share this with anyone you think is interested in this topic. If you would like to be kept updated or want to discuss further, then please reach out.

David – 021 774037 [email protected]