AGENDA
Ordinary meeting of the
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
Friday 5 May 2023
Commencing at 9.30a.m.
Council Chamber
Floor 2A, Civic House
110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Membership:
Chairperson Tasman District Councillor Kit Maling
Deputy Chairperson Nelson City Councillor Tim Skinner
Members Nelson City Councillor Kahu Paki Paki
Tasman District Councillor Barry Dowler
Independent Member Tallat Mehmood
Industry Representative (non-voting) Philip Wilson
Quorum: 3
The Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU) is a joint committee of Nelson City and Tasman District Councils. Operation of the NRSBU is governed by a Board, as established by a Memorandum of Understanding (A1983271).
· To manage and operate the wastewater treatment facilities at Bells Island and the associated reticulation network efficiently and in accordance with resource consent conditions to meet the needs of its customers.
· The Councils are agreed that the responsibility for all management and administrative matters associated with the NRSBU operation shall be with the Board, and in particular the Board shall without the need to seek any further authority from the Councils:
o Operate a bank account for the Business Unit;
o Comply with the Procurement Policy of the Administering Council;
o Enter into all contracts necessary for the operation and management of the Business Unit in accordance with the approved budgets and intent of the Business Plan;
o Authorise all payments necessary for the operation and management of the Business Unit within the approved budgets and intent of the Business Plan;
o Do all other things, other than those things explicitly prohibited by this Memorandum of Understanding or relevant statutes, that are necessary to achieve the objectives as stated in the Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plan or Business Plan approved by the Councils;
o Comply with the Health and Safety Policy and requirements of the administering Council
· Contribute to the sanitary services assessment process of the Councils
· Contribute to and comply with the waste management plans of the Councils
· Contribute to the development of the Councils’ Development and Financial Contribution policies
· Contribute to the Councils’ Regional Policy Statement and Regional Plan Reviews
· Develop and keep under review an appropriate contract for the delivery of waste collection and disposal services with each of its customers
· Follow generally accepted accounting practices
· Follow good employment practices
· Any other matters under the areas of responsibility of the Business Unit and detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding.
· All recommendations to Council will be subject to adoption of an equivalent resolution by the other Council, unless it is a matter specific to one Council only.
· The Memorandum of Understanding governing the NRSBU allows for either six or seven members to be appointed. The quorum at a meeting is either three (if six members are appointed), or four (if seven members are appointed), including at least one from each local authority.
· The Standing Orders of the Council providing administration to the committee will be applied at each meeting.
· The Chairperson will not have a casting vote.
· Copies of minutes of meetings of the Joint Committee will be retained by each Council for record keeping purposes
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
5 May 2023
1. Apologies
Nil
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
3.1 Updates to the Interests Register
3.2 Identify any conflicts of interest in the agenda
Document number M20037
Recommendation
That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit, held on 10 March 2023, as a true and correct record. |
5.2 Extraordinary Meeting - 26 April 2023 9 - 12
Document number M20110
Recommendation
That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Confirms the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit, held on 26 April 2023, as a true and correct record. |
6. Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report 13 - 31
Document number R27636
Recommendation
That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Receives the report Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report (R27636).
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Confidential Business
Recommendation
That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
1. Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.
2. The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:
Item |
General subject of each matter to be considered |
Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter |
Particular interests protected (where applicable) |
1 |
Extraordinary Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Meeting - Confidential Minutes - 26 April 2023 |
Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7. |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 48(1)(d) That the
exclusion of the public from the whole or the relevant part of the
proceedings of the meeting is necessary to enable the local authority to
deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation in any proceedings to
which this paragraph applies. |
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Minutes - 10 March 2023
Minutes of a meeting of the
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
Te Rōpū ā-Rohe Para, Whakatū / Te Tai o Aorere
Held in the Council Chamber, Floor 2A, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson on Friday 10 March 2023, commencing at 9.31a.m.
Present: Tasman District Councillor K Maling (Chairperson), Nelson City Councillor T Skinner (Deputy Chairperson), Nelson City Councillor K Paki Paki, Tasman District Councillor B Dowler, Independent Member T Mehmood and Industry Representative (non-voting) P Wilson
In Attendance: Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), General Manager Regional Services (N Clarke), Team Leader Governance (R Byrne) and Governance Adviser (K Libeau)
Apologies : Nil
1. Apologies
Nil
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
There were no changes to the order of business.
3. Interests
There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.
4. Public Forum
There was no public forum.
5. Confirmation of Minutes
5.1 26 January 2023
Document number M19965, agenda pages 5 - 7 refer.
Resolved RSBU/2023/004 |
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That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit, held on 26 January 2023, as a true and correct record. |
Dowler/Paki Paki Carried |
6. Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit - 2023/24 Business Plan
Document number R27524, agenda pages 8 - 30 refer.
Operations Manager Regional Services, Brad Nixon, presented his report and it was taken as read.
During discussion it was noted the August 2022 storm event had impacted the delivery of the capital works programme. Accountant, Andrew Bishop, answered questions on where charges lie and impacts of future interest rate movements.
Resolved RSBU/2023/005 |
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That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Receives the report Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit - 2023/24 Business Plan (R27524) and its attachment (1080325921-246); and 2. Approves the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 2023/2024 Business Plan (1080325921-246) subject to minor changes approved by the Chairperson; and 3. Recommends the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Business Plan 2023/24 (1080325921-246) be presented to the Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council. |
Skinner/Dowler Carried |
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|
That the Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council 1. Receive the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Business Plan 2023/24 (1080325921-246). |
Skinner/Dowler Carried |
7. Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report
Document number R27525, agenda pages 31 - 45 refer.
General Manager Regional Services, Nathan Clarke, presented his report and it was taken as read.
Operations Manager Regional Services, Brad Nixon, answered questions on pond health and provided clarification on pre-emptive measures taken to keep ponds functioning.
Mr Clarke answered questions on technological solutions available for emission reduction and advised officers were reviewing one option which may reduce emissions by up to 30%, and were also looking at changes in the aeration process. A business case would be provided if viable.
Resolved RSBU/2023/007 |
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That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Receives the report Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report (R27525). |
Mehmood/Skinner Carried |
There being no further business the meeting ended at 10.27a.m.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings by resolution on (date)
Resolved |
|
Minutes of an extraordinary meeting of the
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
Te Rōpū ā-Rohe Para, Whakatū / Te Tai o Aorere
Held in the via Zoom on Wednesday 26 April 2023, commencing at 1.01p.m.
Present: Tasman District Councillor K Maling (Chairperson), Nelson City Councillor T Skinner (Deputy Chairperson), Tasman District Councillor B Dowler, Nelson City Councillor K Paki Paki, Independent Member T Mehmood and Māori Representative B Hemi
In Attendance: NCC Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), Team Leader Governance (R Byrne) and Governance Adviser (K Libeau)
Apology: An apology has been received from Industry Representative (non-voting) P Wilson
1 Apologies
Resolved RSBU/2023/008 |
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That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Receives and accepts the apology from P Wilson. |
Skinner/Dowler Carried |
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
There were no changes to the order of business.
3. Interests
There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.
4. Public Forum
There was no public forum.
5. Exclusion of the Public
Resolved RSBU/2023/009 |
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That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting. 2. The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows: |
Paki Paki/Dowler Carried |
Item |
General subject of each matter to be considered |
Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter |
Particular interests protected (where applicable) |
1 |
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Rabbit Island Land Disposal System Consent Application Report |
Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7 |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 48(1)(d) That the
exclusion of the public from the whole or the relevant part of the
proceedings of the meeting is necessary to enable the local authority to
deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation in any proceedings to
which this paragraph applies. |
The meeting went into confidential session 1.04 p.m. and resumed in public session at 1.32 p.m.
6. Restatements
It was resolved while the public was excluded:
1 |
CONFIDENTIAL: Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Rabbit Island Land Disposal System Consent Application Report |
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3. Agrees that Report (R27651), attachments (1995708647-27) and (1995708647-29) and the decision be made publicly available following the successful resolution of the consent conditions, or the lodgement of an appeal. |
There being no further business the meeting ended at 1.33p.m.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings by resolution on (date)
Resolved |
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Item 6: Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
5 May 2023
Report Title: Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report
Report Author: Nathan Clarke - General Manager Regional Sewerage and Landfill
Report Number: R27636
1. Purpose of Report
1.1 This report is an update by the General Manager (GM) on activities undertaken to 31 March 2023 and finances to 28 February 2023 by the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU).
2. Summary
2.1 Operations are generally running well.
2.2 There were six odour notifications for the period 01 February 2023 to 31 March 2023. Two notifications were from the tail end of odour generation from pond F3 earlier in the year, one was confirmed as related to Biosolids application and was resolved by moving application areas and one was suspected as being released from the Biosolids tank after the temporary cover was damaged by storm winds. The remaining two notifications were intermittent, and unable to be confirmed however may have generated from the Biosolids operation.
2.3 The negotiation with Infratec for the development of a solar array on Bell Island have been completed and the agreements have been signed by both Infratec and NRSBU. Infratec has agreed that non commercially sensitive aspects of this project can now be shared. A media release has been drafted and is due for release.
2.4 The regional pipeline rehabilitation project is proceeding well. Ching Contracting has been selected for Sections 5, 6 and 7. The work will commence in June 2023 and is programmed for completion in the early part of the 2024 calendar year.
2.5 Work has been completed for Section 10 (Estuary side of Whakatu Drive).
2.6 The Martin Point connection contract has been awarded to Hunter Civil Ltd.
2.7 The tender documentation has been released to the market for sections 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2.8 The overall regional pipeline rehabilitation project programme has slipped back and is now on track for completion in the first half of 2024. The timeframe has slipped due to contractor availability.
2.9 Overall NRSBU O&M costs to date for the 2022/2023 financial year are generally in alignment with the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 2022/2023 Business Plan budget. There are a number of variations to the budgets which are discussed, with the budget overall remaining slightly in surplus year to date.
2.10 Financial performance to 31 March 2022 is above budget with a surplus year to date of $282,000.
2.11 Some capital and renewals work implementation has been delayed by tendered prices received being more than budget allowances. Rescoping of these projects is being undertaken.
2.12 The facilities management upgrade is recommencing now that the resource consent has been received. Earthworks for the foundation are now underway.
2.13 The delivery of the capital/renewals works remains behind schedule except for the regional rising main project.
3. Recommendation
That the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit 1. Receives the report Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit General Manager Update Report (R27636). |
4. Health Safety and Environment (HS&E)
4.1 H&S for the operations contract is being managed well, and no significant safety issues are currently outstanding.
4.2 A new and more encompassing Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) process has been drafted and is still awaiting approval by Nelmac management. The new process is in use onsite while awaiting sign off.
4.3 Health and Safety Data for the period 1 February to 31 March 2023
Type |
Total |
|
|
Close Call (Near Miss) |
3 |
Injury/Illness (Accident) |
3 |
Subcontractor |
1 |
Incident (Property damage) |
2 |
Hazard Identification (Improvement) |
3 |
Non Compliance |
1 |
4.4 Detailed for the H&S incidents.
Classification |
Date |
Details |
Follow up actions |
Status |
Injury/Illness (Accident) |
1/02/2023 |
I was loosening the bolts on the aeration basin aerator A118 when the socket slipped and caught my little finger between the spanner and a bracket on the aerator. I was wearing leather gloves to minimise any incidents, but the spanner still slipped. I'm left with a blackened nail on my little finger on my left hand |
Nil – Appropriate PPE gloves were being worn. |
Complete |
Incident (Property damage) |
20/02/2023 |
Oyster catcher bird hit driver side mirror while driving, knocked glass out of mirror breaking the glass on the road. |
Repair Wing mirror |
Complete |
Close Call (Near Miss) |
21/02/2023 |
Summary: Rag in Sludge delivery was almost fed into the Primary Clarifier and would have blocked the pumps. 6m3 Sludge @ 8.2 % TSS |
Need to develop procedure for determining where any dumps occur on-site. identify source and possible contaminants. Discuss at tailgate meeting |
Complete |
Non Compliance |
23/02/2023 |
Loaned
isolation padlock to another contractor. Job was safely carried out and
finished. |
Need to review the process for lock removal to ensure this gets followed correctly |
Complete |
Close Call (Near Miss) |
28/02/2023 |
Recycle
water tank containing acidic water located beside the HP pump shed was
foaming and overflowing onto the ground. |
Needs to be investigated as to how this occurred and ways to prevent this occurring - improved signage |
Complete |
Hazard Identification (Improvement) |
17/02/2023 |
Saxton
pump station is having generator work performed where it is required to have
overhead wires. |
Temporary measures in place, contractor will install a permanent fixture |
In Progress |
Hazard Identification (Improvement) |
24/02/2023 |
Temporary
hose on top of the ATAD area is split and leaks strong gases and smells. |
Across the walkways appears to be the weaker areas, create walk under with elbows to assist with releasing the tension. |
Complete |
Hazard Identification (Improvement) |
27/02/2023 |
It has been noted on several occasions recently that better systems are required for sub-contractor management while they are working on site at Bell Island |
Work in progress - this is noted and being worked on with induction system and permit// lockout etc |
In Progress |
Subcontractor near miss |
7/03/2023 |
A contractor was using a knuckle boom style EWP on site to access the ATAD tank lids and walkway while installing some pipe work. When using the EWP the operator had repositioned the base by 90degrees to where they had started using it. As the operator came back down by lowering the working platform, they almost struck the sludge heat exchanger with the far end of the boom as it was now in a different position to when they went up. I managed to yell out to them to stop before they hit it or caused any damage. Because of the way these EWPs operate the operator needs to be watching several parts of the machine at the same time when working in and around structures. Although a spotter was there working with the operator, they were watching the working platform at the time and didn't notice the other end of the boom section getting close to the heat exchanger. |
Ensure that spotters are aware of EWP movements and surrounding hazards |
Complete |
Injury/Illness (Accident) |
9/03/2023 |
While
accessing Saxton Island air valves the Bells boat outboard motor repeatedly
keep cutting out and I strained my right shoulder while trying to restart the
motor. |
Boat has been serviced to resolve motor issues, keep close eye on shoulder strain and seek physio if required |
Complete |
Close Call (Near Miss) |
24/03/2023 |
High tide on 22/03/23 was at 11.42am and 4.3 meters. A lone sub-contractor from Nelson Electrical reported to me (AS) that he was carrying out work at the pump station around mid-day when he noticed several cyclists riding through the pump station and over the rock bund wall. When this happened again, he asked the cyclist why they were riding through the pump station and over the large loose rock wall. He was answered rudely that it was due to it being safer than riding through the seawater covering the cycleway. On inspecting the cycle way, he discovered that there was approx. 100mm - 150mm covering the asphalt surface |
This is to be raised and taken further with NCC and will need to be raised with Waka Kotahi. |
Complete from Nelmac perspective.
NRSBU to address with Waka Kotahi |
4.5 The only issues that have no clear resolution are the issues associated with the Songer Street pumpstation. The NRSBU has installed a small storm surge defence bund at the pumpstation to reduce the risk of inundation in a storm surge event and to defend against sea level rise. When this bund was being planned NRSBU designed a solution that would raise the cycleway and would result in improved cycleway level of service.
4.6 To eliminate safety issues associated with cyclists and pedestrians from crossing the pumpstation when the cycleway is inundated at high tide, NRSBU propose to install a fence to prevent unauthorised access over the pumpstation. This will resolve this safety issue for NRSBU. This is particularly important when NRSBU staff and its contractors are working around open wet wells.
4.7 Table 1 below shows a list of odour notifications for the period 1 February 2023 to 31 March 2023
5. NRSBU Activities
5.1 NRSBU staff continue to be very busy during the period with numerous activities and projects in progress.
5.2 Projects / Improvement works completed:
5.2.1 Overflow screen construction at Songer St Pumpstation is complete and commissioning has been undertaken.
5.2.2 The solar power supply Licence and Options agreement has been completed and signed. The public release of this information has been prepared and is approved for release.
5.2.3 Inspection of pipework within Bell Island inlet area and at the interface with NCC pipework at Airport Pumpstation.
5.2.4 Repair of the chamber C18 and Bell Island grit removal system corroded concrete is now complete.
5.3 Projects underway at present include:
5.3.1 Moturoa Rabbit Island Biosolids discharge consent.
5.3.2 Rising main duplication works including negotiation with Barnicoat Developments Ltd for an easement across their site.
5.3.3 Emergency generators installation.
5.3.4 Consideration of sites for overflow storage at Saxton Rd.
5.3.5 Consideration regarding future options to adapt to sea level raise for pumpstations and the Bell Island facility.
5.3.6 Condition assessment of the concrete rising main between Monaco and Bell Island.
5.3.7 Sludge and Biosolids tank renewals.
5.3.8 Bell Island facilities upgrade.
5.3.9 Best Island foreshore rehabilitation planting has commenced.
5.3.10 50-year plan development and liaison with Te Tau Ihu iwi to support the incorporation of cultural values in the strategic planning for wastewater in the top of the south. This work is being undertaken in partnership with TDC. NCC is also taking part but are not currently contributing financially to this project.
5.3.11 Designation of Bell Island.
5.3.12 Pumps replacement at Beach Rd, Wakatu and Airport pumpstations.
5.3.13 Commencement of Activity Management Plan preparation.
5.3.14 Procurement and installation of isolation valves at the Bell Island inlet works. Valves have been procured, with installation starting in early June 2023 once the first valve arrives.
5.4 Site improvement works at Bell Island including:
5.4.1 Generator procurement and installation.
5.4.2 Covers to chambers.
5.4.3 Pond desludging and sea defence bund.
5.5 Other Bell Island Projects
5.5.1 Odour upgrade work on the ATAD system is nearly complete with commissioning waiting on the delivery of pressure/vacuum relief valves.
5.5.2 Upgrade to the “reuse” water system is complete.
5.5.3 Investigations into water treatment and piping requirements for industrial water users has commenced.
5.5.4 Installation of isolation valves to rising mains at the treatment plant inlet structure has commenced, with valves ordered.
5.6 Renewals and maintenance on buildings and equipment.
5.7 Greenacres Golf Course (Greenacres) water reuse and NRSBU water reuse pipeline consents have been submitted to TDC for consideration.
6. Update on significant projects
6.1 Rabbit Island Biosolids Application Consent –The resource consent hearing was held on 2 and 3 August 2022.
6.2 The resource consent decision was received on Friday 14th April 2023 in the evening. The consent has several ambiguities, and the matters were discussed at an extraordinary meeting on 26 April 2023.
6.3 Rabbit Island O&M contract - The Biosolids application operations and maintenance contract is running smoothly.
6.4 NRSS pipeline – A significant amount of work is being undertaken on this project with multiple activities along the length of the pipeline, including:
6.4.1 Section 8 (Saxton Rd) is now complete.
6.4.2 Sections 5 – 7 (from Kotua Place to Saxton Road) have been tendered, and Ching Contracting has been awarded the work package and will commence work in June 2023. This package does not include the pipe bridge and pipework across Saxtons Creek which will be tendered separately.
6.4.3 Investigations for the sections 1-4 (Beach Rd to Saxton Creek) have been completed. Work packages have been prepared with tender documentation development currently underway, and this has been released to the market for tender.
6.4.4 The Martin Point pipe connection works have also been tendered and tenders have been received. 2 tenders were received for the works and both tenders received were below the engineers estimates. Hunter Civil have been awarded the tender package, with work scheduled to start in August 2023.
6.4.5 Overall, the progress has been good on the pipeline project.
6.5 Desludging of the Bell Island ponds is still in progress with Pond F2 being completed and work now underway on Pond F1. The lower row of dewatering bags is complete, and the lower bund is being constructed using soil excavated from the August 2022 flooding event slips. The slip material is currently being placed around the dewatering bags. Additional contaminated material is still being received due to slip remediation work continuing following Insurance approvals. This is complicating the construction.
6.6 Asset inspections –NRSBU is continuing the next stage of the old concrete rising main pipe investigations from Monaco to Bell Island. The next stage of works will include the core sampling of the pipe and inspection of the fittings and cathodic protection systems.
6.7 Greenacre Golf Course Ultrafiltered Water Irrigation – NRSBU is still working through the revised resource consent application for the pipe across the estuary from Bell Island to Best Island. This has slowed down the implementation of this project.
6.8 Best Island Wastewater land treatment and disposal systems design – NRSBU has engaged Lowe Environmental Impact Ltd (LEI) to undertake the concept design for the land irrigation system on the Best Island Farm. This review will include an outline of the development pathway for the irrigation systems, and an estimate of the volume of wastewater that will be able to be irrigated to the island.
7. Financial performance year to date.
7.1 The NRSBU year to date results have now been completed to 28 February 2023
7.1.1 The performance for the year to date shows NRSBU has earned more than budgeted but has had some additional costs above budget. The financial position on 28 February 2023 was in surplus by $282,000.
7.1.2 The surplus has been generated principally by significantly higher than expected flows during July, and August and by several higher loading events.
7.1.3 Looking forward to the rest of the 22/23 financial year it is estimated that the surplus will reduce due to a dryer period over summer, but this reduction is expected to be partially offset by the reduced power consumption from the aeration basin and clarifier being offline for inspection and repairs during January and February.
7.2 Income
7.2.1 Fixed recoveries were over budget by $311,000 due to a different interest rate for the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) in the recovery calculation compared with budget.
7.2.2 Other recoveries including septage charges and sand sale royalties are $168,000 ahead of budget for the year to date.
7.3 Expenditure
7.3.1 Management costs under budget by $124,000 year to date, however these were more than offset by increased consultancy costs.
7.3.2 Additional consultancy costs have been incurred associated with activity management works, work being undertaken to designate the Bell Island and NRSBU sites under Tasman District Plan.
7.3.3 Additional consultancy cost has also been incurred for liaison with Te Tau Ihu Iwi for the NRSBU Master Plan discussions (50+ years) in collaboration with Tasman District Council (TDC). Some costs are currently held by NRSBU and will be invoiced to TDC at year end.
7.3.4 Costs associated with securing the solar licence agreements and PPA
7.3.5 Support for information gathering for three waters entities.
7.3.6 Resource consent variations for the issues outside NRSBU control associated with complying with Cultural Health Indexing requirements at the NRSBU pump stations
7.3.7 Additional expenses will be incurred engaging consultants for support during the period May and June 2023 (and into the new financial year) to cover the NRSBU Activity Management Plan preparation now that the Three Waters Reforms have been delayed.
7.4 The monthly O&M costs for the Biosolids disposal contract remain higher than budget due to new contract rates and this trend will continue for the remainder of the year.
7.5 Officers would like to reiterate that inflationary pressures continue to be experienced across the construction industry at present. Significant increases to raw materials, fuel, plant, and labour costs will continue to put pressure on budgets for maintenance and renewal/capital works activities during the year. Officers will continue to present further information on the likely impacts of these pressures as this comes available.
Table 3 below shows the NRSBU Financial Report to 28 February 2023.
7.6 The NRSBU financial Position as of 28 February 2023 is shown in Table 4 below
8. Inflow data
8.1 The NRSBU has received a number of significant events this year, including high flows and high loads. Despite the high flows and loads during the year no significant issues have occurred with treatment performance.
8.2 Overall NRSBU has seen several peaking events for load and flow, with monthly peak events being above the design loading rate for the Bell Island facility. Despite this the Bell Island facility is performing well and is achieving the discharge consent requirements (except flow during prolonged high flow periods).
8.3 Monthly data for the Bell Island Wastewater treatment plant inflow.
9. Discharge performance
9.1 The wastewater discharge performance from Bell Island WWTP has met all the consent discharge quality criteria for the period to 31 March 2023 with the exception of issues caused by the August 2022 Storm event, and an excess discharge on the 22 March 2023.
9.1.1 The excess discharge was caused by a mechanical failure to the discharge gate, allowing the gravity discharge to continue for longer than the consent duration. Staff have been unable to determine why the gate failed, as the fault has not been able to be replicated.
9.1.2 Of more concern is the SCADA system failing to generate an automated alarm to operators to advise that the gate had failed to close. Whilst this alarm was written into the site programming it appears to not have been carried through into the SCADA programming. Staff are working with NCC’s SCADA contractors to determine the cause of this omission.
9.1.3 To provide additional layers of protection the alarm suite is being upgrade to include additional alarms that notifiy operators if the discharge has run over time, or over volume.
9.1.4 A rationalisation process for NRSBU alarms has also commenced, and once completed will include a full alarm suite verification process. The verification process will be repeated annually, to ensure alarms continue to work as expected.
9.2 The discharge nitrogen data circled in red for Bell Island treatment plant illustrates the effect of the high inflows received during July and August 2022. The nitrogen data was high due to the peak flow discharging a spike of nitrogen during high flow period.
10. NRSBU Resourcing
10.1 Work is still underway on additional resourcing and support has been sought from consultants and the O&M contractor in the interim.
Important considerations for decision making |
Fit with Purpose of Local Government The NRSBU is a joint committee constituted pursuant to the provisions of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 2002 and contributes to the four Local Government well-beings of social, economic, environmental, and cultural. |
Consistency with Community Outcomes and Council Policy Our infrastructure is efficient, cost effective and meets current and future needs. |
Risk This report allows the NRSBU board to monitor and review the ongoing operations of the NRSBU. The report considers risks from health and safety and compliance, and with resource consents. |
Financial impact This report has no financial impacts. It summarises financial performance against budgets. |
Degree of significance and level of engagement The NRSBU is a Joint Committee of the two Councils and its activities are included in the Long-term Plans and Annual Plans of each Council. Consultation is undertaken by both Councils in the preparation and adoption of these plans |
Climate Impact The NRSBU is a Joint Committee of the two Councils and its activities are included in the Long-term Plans and Annual Plans of each Council. Consultation is undertaken by both Councils in the preparation and adoption of these plans. Climate mitigation and adaptation actions are included in the capital works programme in the NRSBU Business Plan |
Inclusion of Māori in the decision making process No engagement with Māori has been undertaken in preparing this report but iwi have representation on the Board. |
Delegations The Councils are agreed that the responsibility for all management and administrative matters associated with the NRSBU operation shall be with the Board, and in particular the Board shall without the need to seek any further authority from the Councils: Enter into all contract necessary for the operations and management of the Business Unit in accordance with approved Budgets and the intent of the Business Plan. Authorise all payments necessary for the operations and management of the business unit within the approve budgets and the intent of the Business Plan Do all other things, other than those things explicitly prohibited by this MOU or relevant statutes, that are necessary to achieve the objectives as stated in the strategic Plan, Asset Management Plan or Business Plan approved by the councils. Powers to Recommend to Councils: Any other matters under the areas of responsibility of the Business Unit and detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding All recommendations to Council will be subject to adoption of an equivalent resolution by the other Council, unless it is a matter specific to one Council only. |
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