Delmore housing development with plan to truck wastewater away gets fast-track approval
Treated wastewater will be transported off site during summer periods "when necessary" during the first phase of the development.
Auckland Council and Watercare have opposed the proposed Delmore housing development in North Auckland, citing concerns over the wastewater and infrastructure plans. However, the developer, Vineway Limited, has received fast-track approval for the project, which involves constructing over 1200 homes on a 61-hectare site. The development includes residential areas, a commercial zone, and an interchange with State Highway 1. The wastewater management system is a contentious aspect of the proposal.
The expert panel responsible for the fast-track approval has clarified that wastewater tanker transport is only approved under specific scenarios. For the first stage, treated wastewater will be discharged on-site, with off-site transport occurring during summer when necessary. Before the second stage can proceed, the developer must obtain further approvals for a long-term wastewater solution.
Consent conditions limit on-site discharge to 101.5m³/day from December to February, with any excess to be discharged off-site. This typically results in around five to seven tankers per day once the first stage is completed, likely requiring additional tankers once the development reaches approximately 475 homes. While emergency tankering is possible, it is not guaranteed under the current approval.
No authorization has been granted for wastewater options in the second stage, with only a second wastewater treatment plant module being required if public connection is not available.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
