Waikato District Council has reached agreement with ratepayers, Neil and Debbie Ryburn, over wastewater pipes installed without correct permission on their Rangiriri property while they were overseas.
The 2008 installation has been in dispute and the subject of ongoing discussion since that time.
Over the past month Council has met with Mr and Mrs Ryburn several times and has now reached an agreement with them.
“We got it wrong and are sorry this situation occurred and that it took far too long to resolve. We acknowledge the damage cannot be repaired with a few words, nevertheless apologise unreservedly for it,” said Chief Executive, Gavin Ion.
“Council is pleased the matter is now resolved and that we and the Ryburns can put it behind us. There have been learnings for us. We have put further steps into our processes and systems and will continue to review them to make sure this does not happen again in the future.”
The issue featured on TVNZ consumer affairs programme Fair Go in April this year when Council was unable to discuss it publicly while the matter was with Council’s insurers.
The agreement takes effect immediately and is confidential to both parties.
For more information please contact:
Anne Beex
Communications Manager
Waikato District Council
07 824 8633
0275 098 907
anne.beex@waidc.govt.nz
