$6M decision on Tuesday?

Press, 14 January 1982, Page 4

$6M decision on Tuesday?

The fate of the $6 million northern waste-treatment plant may be decided behind closed doors on Tuesday.

The chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Board, Mr C. H. Russell, has called the special meeting to discuss the financially troubled plant. The board had to postpone plans to raise its first $1.2 million for the plant and the Woolston Cut scheme by the end of this month. The decision was made because of diffculties in completing a financial agreement with the plant dischargers, and the delay in receiving loan sanction for the Woolston Cut scheme.

The board has already received a warning from its underwriter, J. S. Satterthwaite and Company, that only limited cash from localbody loans will be available. A member of the board, Mr M. J. Dobson, said yesterday that when the board

went on the loan market, to raise money for the plant, support for the venture would be crucial.

The meeting will also consider the Heathcote floodrelief scheme, the first stage of which is the Woolston Cut.

No loan sanction has yet been given for the Woolston Cut, though investigations into the Heathcote River situation started in the 19605. Mr Dobson said that the delays were not purely financial. “There is a reluctance on the part of some board members to spend money. Some people feel that all work is being done on the eastern side of Christchurch, and they do not think that is where the votes come from,” he said.

The board will probably consider the future of the treatment plant in committee but discussion on the Heathcote River is scheduled for open meeting.