Feedback sought on water, sewerage plans

‘‘CRIBBIES’’ as well as locals are being targeted for a Central Otago District Council initiative aiming to gather feedback about two projects in Clyde worth more than $29 million.

The Clyde Wastewater project and proposed Clyde heritage precinct upgrades were set to be ‘‘hot talking points’’ at a 10year plan dropin session in Clyde today, a council statement said.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said Easter Monday had been chosen so ‘‘locals and cribbies alike’’ could make their views known.

‘‘Council recognises that its preferred option will have a significant financial impact on residents of Clyde and we want to be able to sit down and have a discussion with those residents about this. Choosing Easter Monday gives a great opportunity for locals and cribbies alike to come along and have a chat.’’

The council’s 10year plan consultation document, which was released on Wednesday, includes a proposal to introduce a reticulated wastewater scheme for Clyde.

The Clyde wastewater scheme would cost $28.3 million in today’s dollars, which is equivalent to $35.8 million over the project timeline, taking into account inflation.

The proposed scheme would result in a pipe bringing sewage from Clyde to the Alexandra treatment plant, the pipe preferably laid at the same time as the Lake Dunstan water supply water pipe.

Reticulated sewerage would then be put in place in Clyde through a staged process over the next 25 years.

The council statement said the council’s preferred option was for Clyde residents to pay a joining fee of $10,000 (for stage one).

All people connected to a wastewater scheme in Central Otago (as well as those in Clyde not yet connected) would also contribute to the project through an increase to the districtwide wastewater charge.

Mr Cadogan said Clyde was the thirdlargest town in Central Otago and it was inevitable a ‘‘proper reticulated wastewater system’’ would be required ‘‘due to increasing environmental expectations and regulation’’.

‘‘The only uncertainty is when this requirement will become a reality,’’ Mr Cadogan said.

An $830,000 upgrade to parts of Clyde’s historic precinct is also proposed in the 10year plan.

Recent growth in population, business, tourism and property development in Clyde was having an effect on the heritage and commercial precinct and had led to increased demand for parking and use of public spaces, Mr Cadogan said.

The council was proposing the upgrade to ‘‘create Clyde’s heart around a flexible shared public space in Lodge Lane, with pedestrian and cyclist access prioritised’’.

The upgrades would address safety and parking issues and also create more of an attraction of the Miners Lane river area, he said.

Artist’s impressions of the proposal would be at the Clyde dropin sessions, Mr Cadogan said.

The first session will be held between noon and 3pm at the Clyde Bowling Club, on the corner of Whitby and Sunderland Sts, today.

A second session will be held there from 5pm7pm on April 10.

Submissions on the 10year plan close on April 30.

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