YMCA needed a long-term consent for their wastewater treatment plant without the need to spend millions of dollars on developing new infrastructure to discharge their wastewater on land. In order to discover the best strategy, an integrated, multi-disciplinary team was formed included Boffa Miskell’s aquatic ecologists. Studies into a number of ways to discharge wastewater on land were identified and explored including engineering wetlands, purchasing more land, drip irrigation systems and more. However, it was discovered that large areas of land would be needed to accommodate so much usage with significant extra infrastructure and biochemical processes, which would lead to very high costs.

To acquire the best and most practical option, which was to continue water discharges, the team needed to prove that the effects of the wastewater on ecology, public health and the local iwi were minor and appropriately mitigated. By re-strategising the camp’s administration and management systems and aligning with the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan’s external recommendations, the camp was able to continue to provide for the cultural and social well-being of future generations without losing millions on unnecessary infrastructure to discharge wastewater on land. The Council accepted the evidence that this was the best practical options and a twenty year consent was admitted with only one mana whenua-related discussion point, which was later resolved after the presentation of assessments.

This project was highly successful due to the integration of the multi-disciplinary team, the early engagement ensuring all views had been assessed and resolved before the consent submission process even began, and the strong relationships that were built with the YMCA team to ensure the best outcome for all parties was achieved.

For further information please contact Eddie Sides