The establishment of 35 new properties will also mean building consents and other regulatory factors will need to be considered.

Chief Operating Officer Helen Montgomery says we have the capability and capacity to process any new applications for consents.

“Our staff in the Building Control and Resource Planning areas are ready and have been offering advice and making available relevant information to respond to enquiries as they come in,” Ms Montgomery says.

“We’re prepared, we’ve handled developments like this in the past including the Mahia Heights development.

“As long as my staff are working closely with those involved in the developments and we’re having productive conversations, then this should be business as usual for us.

“What is great is that if there is a need to bring in additional resource to assist us, we have the ability to do this as well.”

Mayor Craig Little is welcoming the 35 new property owners who recently purchased lots at Blue Bay, saying this is an exciting time for our district.

He hopes the Opoutama and wider communities will feel the flow-on benefits of 35 new families moving to the area.

He says he is keen to see the area thriving again.

“This was a neglected part of our community for a long time and it was sad to see that every time I would drive past such a beautiful part of the area,” Mr Little said.

“Council is keen to see Blue Bay become a place where locals and visitors alike are able to enjoy the beauty of Blue Bay, Māhia Peninsula and the rest of the Wairoa district.

“This community is renown for its hospitality, so we hope the community will make our new residents feel at home; because it will be exciting to see Blue Bay booming again.”

Council is now working on the consenting process for the water supply for the lots recently purchased at Blue Bay, Opoutama.

Engineering manager Jamie Cox said the water supply system was never made operational by the developer and a new water take consent application must now be initiated.

“A water safety plan for the scheme also needs to be developed and approved by the Ministry of Health,” Mr Cox said.

“The water safety environment has radically changed due to the Havelock North water contamination incident and we expect some robust examination of the new application. Unfortunately, this may preclude a fast track application process but as a water supplier safety must be our main priority.

“Council commits to regular updates on progress as well as providing a project programme to deliver safe drinking water to the sections as soon as we have this information from our consultant.”

31 October 2018

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