District drainage budget revised

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 543, 5 July 1994, Page 9

District drainage budget revised

The Ruapehu District Council adopted the following resolutions in relation to the Ohakune, Raetihi, National Park and Pipiriki sewerage schemes for the 1994/95 Annual Plan. Ohakune The 1994/95 Draft Annual Plan provided for an estimated budget of $282,800 for the Ohakune oxidation ponds upgrade, this sum being made up of (1) aerators -supply installation, power to site, controls and all fees and (2) wetlands — construction and planting including all fees. However, since the initial budget estimate, consultant engineers Fraser Thomas Ltd have advised the following reduced costs: (1) Aerators - supply and installation etc ($78,000); (b) Wetlands - construction and planting including all fees ($52,800). This leaves a total revised budget of $130,800 representing a decrease of capital expenditure (to be funded by loan) of $152,000 and a reduction therefore of debt-servicing requirements for the project. However, it was pointed out that local iwi in Ohakune were not happy with any extension of oxidation wetlands that might encroach on their marae surrounds and Council were advised that the availability of such land could not be guaranteed if consent is not given. Raetihi A sum of $85,800 was originally estimated to be

the cost of upgrading the Raetihi sewerage scheme by the construction and planting of sewerage wetlands. However, consulting engineers Fraser Thomas Ltd have since re-assessed the upgrading of the Raetihi Sewerage Plant and recommend that an electric motor be installed as well as the proposed wetland development. This will mean an increased budget expenditure to $103,000 but there will be no impact on rating requirements as the increase

of $18,000 can be accommodated within existing funding alloCations. Pipiriki and National Park The original budget for these two sewerage schemes were estimated to be as follows: Pipiriki ($8800); National Park ($8800). These figures were derived from the estimated unexpended funds carried forward from the 1993/94 financial year for these projects. However, it has now been determined that the

actual expenditure required in total over the two years (1993/94 and 1994/95) is more than originally estimated. The additional amounts required are as follows: Pipiriki ($2400 to make up the required total of $8800); National Park ($1440 to make up the required total of $8800). However, once again there will be no impact on local rating requirements as the increase can be accommodated within the existing funding allocations.