Sewage Spills Near Wellington Beaches

Local councils are requesting the government to increase financial support for improving national disaster resilience. Documents from the Environment Ministry and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet show New Zealand has spent $64 billion on hazard-related costs since 2010. Wellington City Councilors are considering financial support for businesses affected by the Moore Point Treatment Plant meltdown. The plant failed nearly three months ago and has been discharging millions of liters of raw sewage into the sea near the airport. Some local businesses report revenue losses of up to 50% due to decreased traffic. Wellington City Councilers are deciding this week whether to provide one-off grants of up to $35,000 to specific local businesses. Eligible recipients must be Wellington-owned, employ fewer than 20 people, and demonstrate a revenue loss of at least 50%. The grants target businesses located near a plant or those specializing in ocean activities. A sewage outfall pipe located approximately one kilometre offshore is causing spills near Tarakena Bay during heavy rain. The system fails to cope with heavy rainfall, leading to overflow through a secondary pipe. Dave Drain, owner of Dive Wellington, stated that many people are too scared to dive, which has dramatically reduced the number of people buying or hiring gear.