No mystery to $2 million wastewater network upgrade

Published on 04 June 2026

Improvements to Oamaru wastewater network a core service for Waitaki

There’s been a lot of misunderstanding about a $2m project which is included in the Annual Plan, even whispering of a conspiracy theory. It’s nothing so exciting. It is a core wastewater network upgrade which was consulted on with the community in Council's in 2025’s Enhanced Annual Plan and included in last year's Long Term Plan. The Waitaki District Council would like to set the matter to rights.

This project was listed in the agenda for the Annual Plan decision meeting last week - $2 million for relocation of Oamaru Wastewater Treatment plant.

However, certain parts of this project remain commercially sensitive, which is why discussion of it took place in public excluded.

Unfortunately some people have misunderstood the information in the agenda and the nature of ‘commercial sensitivity’ leading to many comments regarding a “secret $2 million project.”

Commercial sensitivity allows Council to negotiate or plan confidentially and ensure the ratepayer gets the best value for assets and investment in assets. To publicly reveal details of negotiations, or plans, could place Council, and the ratepayer, at a financial disadvantage - raising the price of assets or potential investments

The project relates to securing the wastewater network which serves Oamaru, Oamaru North, South Hill, Kakanui and Weston – to ensure that when the community flushes their toilet, the waste gets to our Wastewater Treatment Plant to the north of Oamaru.

Council consulted on securing its coastal assets, including wastewater, in the 2025 Enhanced Annual Plan – and this project is a part of that ongoing work.

Maintaining and upgrading our wastewater infrastructure is a core service, not a nice-to-have, but does come with a price tag that will not decrease if deferred.

More information will be provided once further decisions have been made.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz