Stink brewing over disposal of sewerage

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker has hit out at Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage, who has refused to comment about how the Department of Conservation disposes of sewerage on the Milford and Kepler tracks.

Environment Southland has renewed the Department of Conservation resource consent to discharge primary treated sewerage to land at Dumpling Hut on the Milford Track and to discharge freshwater storage overflow to an unnamed creek near the hut until 2028. And on the Kepler Track near Te Anau, DOC has also been granted consent by ES to discharge up to 6000L of treated sewerage per day to land and 87 cubic metres of water a day into an unnamed tributary or the Iris Burn River from the Iris Burn Hut until 2043. DOC said the consents are renewals of previous consents held for the past 15 years.

The Southland Times asked Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage if it was appropriate for DOC to discharge treated sewerage to land in a national park, but she referred all questions to DOC as it is an ‘‘operational matter.’’

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker said Sage was quick to criticise similar activities while she was in opposition.

‘‘But now in Government, she is fobbing off genuine questions and hiding behind her department and coalition agreements.’’

DOC principal ranger Grant Tremain said solid waste was flown out from the locations each season and the consents allowed DOC to discharge treated sewerage to land.

Environment Southland consents team leader Joanna Gilroy said it had rules and policies in its plans, which addressed the discharges from on-site wastewater systems.