The team - which has been working for a year towards a solution for developing a new waste water disposal system for Wanaka, Albert Town and possibly Luggate - is progressing the findings of an original community working party, which identified several site options in a report, released last year.

"The team has now thoroughly investigated and in some cases tested each of the recommended options and has chosen the western end of Wanaka Airport as its preferred option," Mr Hawker said.

The solution had two components, a treatment plant that produces a high standard of waste water and a land disposal field.

"The project will offer a substantial improvement to the way in which we deal with our waste water," Mr Hawker said.

The method of waste water disposal, also planned to be implemented in the Wakatipu, was now being successfully used elsewhere in New Zealand and the team had been able to visit other sites and fully assess similar proposals.

One of the team's foremost considerations was the ability to mitigate the effects of the proposed system.

"Visually the disposal fields will simply look like green grassed area, running in parallel with the airports runways. The waste water is clear, treated and odourless and will be piped underground and disposed of in underground ditches. A compact treatment plant will also be necessary," Mr Hawker said.

A public meeting to further outline the airport proposal was planned to be held on Tuesday February 8 at 6pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

"That will be an important opportunity to talk though the option with the community and gauge some feedback in advance of the late February full Council meeting at Wanaka, where we will seek approval to commence the resource consent process," Mr Hawker said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Chris Hawker 03 443 8197.

By: Kiri