Kia ora,
I refer to your request for official information which the Waikato District Council (Council) received as a transfer from Watercare on 12 August 2022. We have considered your request pursuant to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1997 (LGOIMA). We have 20 working days within which to communicate our decision on your request. We are pleased to be able to respond today.
Your request was phrased as follows:
“I request the following official information, regarding the Meremere Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade completed in 2021 on behalf of the Waikato District Council.
- I understand Waikato District Council allocated a capital budget of $6 million towards this upgrade. I understand the population of Meremere is under 500 people. Please outline the business case justifying the capital spend.
- Please provide the amounts spent on contractors, consultants and planners for the upgrade.
- Please outline the procurement procedure(s) observed for the upgrade.”
Council’s decision is to partially release the information requested. We have responded to each aspect of your request underneath the relevant question. Please find attached two Excel spreadsheets which contain the costs mapped to the categories in the request, as well as the Meremere WWTP Upgrade Business Case (redacted). As Excel is editable we only warrant the veracity of the contents at the time that it was sent at 5.00pm on 9 September 2022.
The three aspects of your request are repeated below with Council’s response underneath.
- I understand Waikato District Council allocated a capital budget of $6 million towards this upgrade. I understand the population of Meremere is under 500 people. Please outline the business case justifying the capital spend.
The Meremere Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was a simple oxidation pond that had become non-compliant. The project secured a new 35-year discharge consent and installed a modern treatment system to resolve an outstanding abatement notice.
The current population of Meremere is 500 and the plant is designed to serve 710 people. The Capital Budget is $6 million.
We have attached the business case in PDF. We have withheld some information for reasons of commercial sensitivity, pursuant to s 7(2)(h), because we consider that this is necessary to enable the Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial negotiations).
- Please provide the amounts spent on contractors, consultants and planners for the upgrade.
Consent
- Watercare $30k
- Consultants $215k
Meremere WWTP Upgrade
The Meremere WWTP Upgrade is largely complete, final works are underway on the oxidation pond. Winter has been utilised to understand how the ponds performed under the reduced loading. The remaining works are due to be completed in October.
A majority of the construction works were delivered by Apex Water (a council owned organisation).
The amounts for the current position are:
- Watercare $123k
- Consultants $32k
- Contractors $5,143k
- Please outline the procurement procedure(s) observed for the upgrade.
Procurement was by competitive tender to contractors with proven New Zealand design and build experience for installing membrane bioreactors (MBR), that matched this scale, and could meet the timeline to resolve the abatement notice.
That concludes our response. Please contact me if you have any questions about this response.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about this process is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
Myra
He kai kei aku ringa – “There is food at the end of my hands”
This whakatauki signifies resilience, empowerment and hope. It refers to one’s ability to use the skills and resources they have to create success. It’s about being responsible for the resources and capabilities one needs to grow and develop – Inpiringcommunities.org.nz
Myra Williamson
Official Information and Delegations Advisor – Kaiwhakahaere Paarongo me te Apatono
Waikato District Council
Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato
■
Nama waea
07 824 8633
■
Waea puukoro:
0800 492 452
Poutaapeta Mahi:
Private Bag 544, Ngaruawahia 3742
Waahi Mahi:
15 Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia