3 October 2019
Hugh Davenport
[FYI request #11149 email]
Dear Hugh
Decision and response to LGOIMA request
Thank you for your request made under the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 (the Act), received on 5 September 2019. You requested the following
information in regards to the Aro Street and Ohiro Road water leak:
1. When was this leak first reported to the council. If it was before August 22, then please
amend my calculations above.
2. What was the flow rate the council determined for the leak. If this was different from
250ml per minute, then please amend my calculations above.
3. When did the council first perform a site visit for the leak (including contractors), and
what was the outcome of that initial site visit.
4. What is the estimated cost of fixing the leak at the time it was first reported 5. What is
the estimated cost to the environment of fixing the leak at the time it was first reported. I
would imagine that the council have this information due to using a "climate change lens"
on everything they do now
(https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/news/2019/06/climate-
emergency). 6. What is the total cost spent so far visiting the leak, and fixing the leak?
7. If the leak is still not fixed, then what is the estimated cost of fixing the leak now, ontop
of the total cost spent so far.
8. What is the total environmental cost so far from the council visiting the leak and fixing
the leak? I note again that the council likely has this information ready due to the use of a
"climate change lens" for everything the council does.
9. If the leak is still not fixed, then what is the current flow rate, and what environmental
cost will this incur by not fixing the leak?
10. What remedial actions need to take place (such as engineers report to determine
erosion damage to the road), and what is the expected cost for such remedial actions?
11. What environmental costs are expected for any remedial actions needed from step 10.
12. What are the councils plans for informing the ratepayers of Wellington that they are
misusing the ratepayer funds?
13. What is the council doing to ensure that this wastage of ratepayer funds is not done in
the future?
14. What are the councils plans to ensure that the "climate change lens" is applied
appropriately so that in future there is minimal cost to the environment.
15. What are the councils plans for informing the ratepayers of Wellington that they are
failing at applying the "climate change lens" as suggested by the declaration of a climate
emergency.
As per my transfer letter dated 24 September 2019 questions 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12 have
been transferred to Wellington Water Limited to respond directly to your request.
We have responded to each of your questions below:
Question 1: When was this leak first reported to the council. If it was before August
22, then please amend my calculations above.
The Wellington City Council (the Council) received a report on 7 June 2019 regarding a
water leak.
Question 5: What is the estimated cost to the environment of fixing the leak at the
time it was first reported. I would imagine that the council have this information due
to using a "climate change lens" on everything they do now
(https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/news/2019/06/climate-emergency).
The Council does not hold this information. Under section 17(g) of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 this part of your request is declined as the
information is not held by the local authority.
Question 7: If the leak is still not fixed, then what is the estimated cost of fixing the
leak now, on top of the total cost spent so far.
As the leak has been fixed. Under section 17(g) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 this part of your request is declined as the information
is not held by the local authority.
Question 9: If the leak is still not fixed, then what is the current flow rate, and what
environmental cost will this incur by not fixing the leak?
The leak has now been fixed. Under section 17(g) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 this part of your request is declined as the information
is not held by the local authority.
Question 10: What remedial actions need to take place (such as engineers report to
determine erosion damage to the road), and what is the expected cost for such
remedial actions?
The Roading team has had engineers check the site during a routine inspection and have
not noticed any signs of erosion damage. These inspections did not cost extra for the
Council.
Wellington City Council | 2 of 3
Right of review
If you disagree with my decision you have the right, under section 27(3) of the Act, to ask
the Ombudsman to review and investigate my decision. Further information is available on
the Ombudsman website, www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Thank you again for your request. I trust this information is of assistance to you.
Regards,
Asha Harry
Assurance Advisor
Wellington City Council | 3 of 3
