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ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: CHRISTCHURCH CITY

5,66

COUNCIL OCEAN OUTFALL PIPELINE

333

stron

5064

URS New Zealand Ltd

2005

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of This Report 1-1

1.2 Resource Consents Held 1-1

1.3 Wastewater Management Strategy 1-2

1.4 National Policy 1-3

1.4.1 Sustainability 1-3

1.4.2 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 1-4

1.4.3 New Zealand Waste Strategy 2002 1-5

1.4.4 Discharges into the Ocean 1-5

1.4.5 Emerging Contaminants 1-6

1.4.6 Climate Change 1-6

1.5 Evolution of the Wastewater Disposal Project 1-7

1.6 Council Resolutions 1-10

1.6.1 3 Km Outfall Pipeline 1-10

1.6.2 Wastewater Treatment Process – Natural UV 1-11

1.7 Resource Consents Sought 1-11

1.7.1 Construction Phase Resource Consents 1-11

1.7.2 Operational Phase Resource Consents 1-16

1.8 Land Ownership Zoning 1-18

1.8.1 Conservation Zone C1B 1-19

1.8.2 Conservation Zone C1A 1-20

1.8.3 Open Space Zone O2 1-20

1.8.4 Coastal Marine Area 1-21

1.8.5 Legal Road 1-21

1.9 Report Structure 1-21

1.10 4th Schedule 1-22

2. Description of the Current and Proposed Activity

2.1 History of the Treatment Plant and Oxidation Ponds 2-1

2.2 Description of the Upgraded Wastewater Treatment System 2-1

2.2.1 Main Treatment Plant 2-2

2.2.2 Oxidation Ponds 2-3

2.3 Wastewater Characteristics 2-4

2.3.1 Composition of the Inflowing Wastewater 2-4

2.3.2 Quantity of Inflowing Wastewater 2-5

2.4 Outflow Wastewater Quality 2-5

2.4.1 Composition of the Out flowing Wastewater 2-6

2.4.2 Quantity of Out-flowing Wastewater 2-10

2.5 Proposed Activity – Land and Ocean Outfall Pipeline Construction 2-11

2.5.1 Construction Methods 2-12

2.5.2 Diffuser Design 2-29

2.5.3 Overtrawlable Structure 2-30

2.5.4 Construction Areas 2-31

2.5.5 Excavated Materials 2-35

2.5.6 Noise 2-37

2.5.7 Helicopter Flights 2-37

2.5.8 Traffic Movements 2-37

2.5.9 Glare 2-38

2.5.10 Operational Necessities 2-38

2.6 Risk Management Objectives 2-39

2.6.1 Key Criteria to Manage Risk 2-40

2.6.2 Risks to the Operation of the Treatment Plant 2-40

2.6.3 Risks to the Operation of the Ocean Outfall Pipeline 2-41

3. Alternatives

3.1 Development of Alternatives 3-1

3.2 Alternative Pipeline Route and Outfall Locations 3-2

3.2.1 Comparison of Beatty Street and Jellicoe Street 3-3

3.3 Alternative Methods of Disinfection 3-6

3.3.1 Naturally Occurring Ultra Violet Light 3-6

3.3.2 Artificial Ultra Violet Light (UV) 3-7

3.4 Alternative Outfall Lengths and Discharge Location 3-7

3.4.1 2 Kilometres 3-7

3.4.2 3 Kilometres 3-8

3.5 Costs of Treatment and Disposal Options 3-8

3.6 Preferred Option 3-9

3.6.1 Selection Criteria 3-9

4. Overview of the Statutory Planning Framework

4.1 Introduction 4-1

4.2 Resource Management Act (1991) and Amendment Act (2003) 4-2

4.2.1 Applications for Resource Consents 4-2

4.2.2 Description of Activity Type 4-2

4.2.3 Consent Criteria 4-3

4.2.4 Consideration of the Application - Sections 104 and 105 4-3

4.2.5 Part II of the Act - Purpose and Principles 4-6

4.2.6 Other matters – Part III Duties and Restrictions under the Act 4-6

4.2.7 The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 4-7

4.2.8 The Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (CRPS) 4-8

4.2.9 Regional Plans 4-9

4.2.10 The Christchurch City District Plans 4-11

4.2.11 Proposed Banks Peninsula District Plan 4-12

4.2.12 Other Plans 4-13

4.2.13 Consents Sought 4-13

4.2.14 Information Requirements 4-13

4.3 Other Legislation 4-14

4.3.1 Historic Places Act 1993 4-14

4.3.2 Reserves Act 19774.1 4-14

5. Description of the Environment

5.1 Description of the Physical Environment 5-1

5.1.1 Avon-Heathcote Estuary 5-1

5.1.2 South New Brighton Spit 5-6

5.1.3 Coastal Dune Belt 5-7

5.1.4 Pegasus Bay Foreshore and Seabed 5-8

5.2 Description of the Biological Environments in the Avon Heathcote Estuary 5-11

5.2.1 Fish Resources in Avon-Heathcote Estuary 5-11

5.2.2 Benthos in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary 5-13

5.2.3 Birdlife of the Estuary 5-15

5.2.4 Vegetation in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary 5-16

5.2.5 Trees in South Brighton Park 5-19

5.3 Description of the Biological Environments in Pegasus Bay and along the Pegasus Bay

Foreshore 5-20

5.3.1 Fish Resources in Pegasus Bay 5-20

5.3.2 Benthos in Pegasus Bay 5-24

5.3.3 Surf Clams 5-27

5.3.4 Phytoplankton 5-28

5.3.5 Marine Mammals 5-28

5.3.6 Seabirds 5-30

5.3.7 Sand Dune Vegetation along Pegasus Bay 5-30

5.4 Tangata Whenua [people of the land] Cultural and Spiritual Values 5-30

5.4.1 Manawhenua [tribal authority over affairs within a particular area or land district] 5-30

5.4.2 Kaitiaki [guardianship] Roles and Responsibilities 5-30

5.4.3 Water Values 5-32

5.4.4 Mahinga Kai [food and other resources, and the areas that they are sourced from] 5-32

5.4.5 Heritage Sites 5-33

5.5 Social Environment 5-33

5.5.1 Community Profiles 5-36

5.5.2 Recreation Analyses 5-37

5.5.3 Values Inherent in the Estuary and Ocean Environments 5-43

5.5.4 Knowledge and effect of existing wastewater disposal 5-45

5.5.5 Knowledge and Views of Future Options 5-46

5.6 Economic and Commercial Values 5-46

5.6.1 Profile of Local Business Activities 5-46

5.6.2 Commercial Fishery Interest 5-48

6. Possible Effects of Pipeline Construction

6.1 Assessment Criteria 6-1

6.1.1 Resource Management Act 1991 6-1

6.1.2 Assessment Criteria 6-1

6.2 Methods of Analysis 6-2

6.2.1 Field Investigations 6-2

6.3 Assessment of Possible Effects of Pipeline Construction on the Physical and Biological

Environment in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary 6-3

6.3.1 Sediments in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary 6-4

6.3.2 Effects on Benthic Biota in Avon-Heathcote Estuary 6-7

6.3.3 Effects on Fish in Avon-Heathcote Estuary 6-8

6.3.4 Effects on Birds 6-9

6.3.5 Effects on Vegetation in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary 6-9

6.3.6 Effects to Trees in South Brighton Park 6-10

6.4 Assessment of Possible Effects of Pipeline Construction on the Physical and Biological

Environment in Pegasus Bay and along the foreshore of Pegasus Bay 6-12

6.4.1 Sand Dunes and Dune/Foreshore Vegetation 6-12

6.4.2 Effects on Surf Clams in Pegasus Bay 6-15

6.4.3 Benthic Species in Pegasus Bay 6-16

6.4.4 Effects on Fish in Pegasus Bay 6-17

6.4.5 Effects on Marine Mammals in Pegasus Bay 6-17

6.4.6 Effects on Seabirds 6-18

6.5 Assessment of Possible Effects of Pipeline Construction on Tangata Whenua Cultural and

Spiritual Values 6-18