I refer to your email of 10 March under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act for information regarding the toilets at the Redwood Forest, and reply below as per your questions:
1. Why is the block of 6 toilets at the Redwood Forest out of order?
The water pressure to these toilets is low and therefore cannot provide the required level of water to ensure the toilets flush properly.
2. How long have they been closed and out of order?
Notification that the Redwoods toilet block toilets were blocked was received on 22 December. That that time it was remedied. Further notification of a similar issue was received on 30 December and was again remedied. However it was determined from pressure testing that the cause was low water pressure and therefore toilet block was closed. The singular toilets are operating fine and additional port-a-loos were provided to reduce pressure during peak season.
3. When will these toilets be repaired and reopened and what will the repair work entail?
Testing on the water supply pipe down Long Mile Road by using isolating gates has found a leak in a section of pipe. This took some time working down individual sections of a 1 km pipe, whilst trying not to cause any disruption to services. There are multiple options to fix the leak and the most cost effective and best option is being investigated.
Final date of completion is to be advised, given current circumstances with Covid-19 lock down.
4. What is the estimated cost of the repairs?
The cost to repair the water leak is unknown at this stage.
5. What is the cost of hiring the portaloos including emptying costs, pickup and delivery?
Port-a-loo costs have been:
– January 2020 – $3,385.00 plus GST
– February 2020 – $3,168.00 plus GST
– March not yet invoiced
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
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Regards