Wastewater session time well spent

Eleven interested people gathered in the PNCC Conference Centre to listen to a talk by Melaina Voss recently, who is supervising the PNCC project Nature Calls.

Also contributing were Robert van Bentum, transport and infrastructure manager, and two more city councillors. A vast amount of information was shared illustrating the decision process so far, the research that is going on and the many variables that will still need to be part of the process. They spoke comprehensively and clearly, about the problems faced now and in the future with the disposal of wastewater, in the three categories of stormwater, household waste and trade effluent.

We heard about the BPOS (best possible options), river versus ocean, land versus water and environmental and cultural issues. Our meeting was the first of the current series of public meetings and we would encourage all those concerned about these issues to attend some of the coming sessions. Yes, the projectwill be expensive, but the development of the required infrastructure and the appropriate disposal of wastewater cannot be managed without cost.

We arranged themeeting as members of the ‘‘Let the Children Live’’ group of Wesley methodist Church, because we care about what we will leave for the children of the future. We express our appreciation to Melaina Voss and her team for their time and their excellent presentation.

Audrey Jarvis, Palmerston North