Tokaanu forum well attended

A public meeting held on Monday, 9 April to review the recent waste water spill in Tokaanu was well attended by the community.

More than a dozen people came along to hear Chief Executive Gareth Green and Head of Operations Kevin Strongman give an overview of the spill that occurred on March 9, and to address residents' concerns.

Mr Strongman said the health and safety of the community was the number one priority during the spill and that provisions had been made for facilities to be used at the Turangi Turtle Pools while the boil water notice was in effect.

Mr Strongman presented a timeline of events around the spill and told the meeting much of the pipe system in Tokaanu, as with other parts of the district, was reaching the end of its operational life. In response, the Council was embarking on a renewals programme that would see nearly 4km of the types of pipes that are breaking in Tokaanu, replaced in the Turangi/Tokaanu area. These renewals would cost $1.6 million and it is expected they will begin later in the year when weather conditions mean the water table is lower and ground works are more viable.