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Christmas/New Year Hours opening hours

Over the Christmas/New Year holiday season, some of our facilities will be closed or have reduced hours. 

Find out more

Swimming alert at Fitzroy Beach

Please don’t swim or gather food at Fitzroy Beach.

Testing of the water at the beach by Taranaki Regional Council on 9 December returned elevated levels of the potentially-harmful bacteria.

We’re sorry this will inconvenience people hoping to spend the weekend at Fitzroy Beach.

Check our Can I Swim page for information on other beaches.

Wastewater
Kaupapa rerenga wai o Ōākura

Ōākura sewerage scheme

The new reticulated sewerage system in Ōākura is an alternative to septic tanks. Wastewater is pumped to the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The system includes about 38km of new sewer pipelines, including a pumping main from Ōākura to New Plymouth and gravity reticulation within Ōākura and five pump stations. The sewage is pumped from Shearer Reserve to Botany Place in New Plymouth via a pipeline along State Highway 45, finally ending up in the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment along with the city’s wastewater.

 

How to get connected to the Ōākura sewerage scheme

  1. Apply for a building consent.
    Forms can be obtained from the Council or the Ōākura library, just ask for an Ōākura Sewer Connection Pack or contact us for your pack.
  2. Include a site plan of the proposed drainage layout with your application.
    Your plumber can assist you with this or your plumber may do the application process on your behalf.
  3. Return your completed application to us with the application fee.
    This application will be submitted to our Building Team for approval.  You will be notified in writing within 20 working days if your application has been approved or you will be asked to supply more information.
  4. Lay your drainage and carry out your connection to the mains.
    This work will need to be done by a plumber and then inspected by a Council Building Inspector.
  5. "Go live" on the Ōākura sewerage scheme (when your drainage has been approved) and decommission your septic tank.
    There are minimum requirements for decommissioning your septic tank and a follow-up inspection for approval is required.
  6. Apply for a Code Compliance Certificate
    This can be done once your decommissioned septic tank has been approved. The application form will be included in your approved building consent. All this information will be added to your Property File held at the Council.

Common questions about the Ōākura sewerage scheme

Page last updated: 11:48am Wed 02 July 2025

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06 759 6060 enquiries@npdc.govt.nz
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84 Liardet Street
New Plymouth

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