Connecting to a clean future
A popular Hanmer Springs holiday camp specialising in school camps as well as accommodating disabled groups, family and recreation enthusiasts now has its drinking water supply provided by Hurunui District Council’s (HDC) town supply in Hanmer Springs.
Thanks to HDC’s approval of a $130,000 loan from Council to assist in the costs of the connection, Hanmer Springs Forest Camp will no longer need to rely on its own private water scheme.
The work was undertaken earlier this year, the paperwork was signed last week, and Chair/Treasurer of Hanmer Springs Forest Camp Trust (which runs the camp) Wayne Street, described this as “awesome news.”
“We do a lot for the community, we have a huge amount of people having fun here, so being part of the Hanmer Springs drinking water supply means it’s one less service we have to focus on,” said Street.
He was keen to acknowledge the people who have put in a huge amount of work over the recent months; the Camp staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure guests have always had a good supply of potable water, HDC for approving the loan and providing guidance and support, Cr Tom Davies for the work he put in around local fundraising, Lions Clubs of Amuri, Hawarden Waikari, Glenmark, Cheviot, Amberley and Rangiora for their contribution, and the work put in by the team at Courtney Architects, Hanmer Holdings Ltd for partnering with the Camp for the cost of the line from Hanmer Springs Village to Fowlers Lane, to Goodwin Contracting for the infrastructure work including working with Amuri.Net, and to the Board of the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp Trust and the Hanmer Springs community for all their support.
“Our community has supported us all the way.”
Street emphasised that with the connection to the Hanmer Village Water supply and the Camp’s water storage and filtration system, they have satisfied the Water Services Authority that the water we now supply the camp meets their potable water requirements.
“The people who have helped us in this, it’s just unbelievable.”
HDC’s Chief Financial Officer Jason Beck said that Council has a policy relating to community loans, which provides a maximum term, interest rates and monthly or quarterly repayments. A recent example of a successful community loan was to assist in the development of a bowling green in Hanmer Springs.
The Camp has been in contact with HDC in recent years about connecting to its supply.
“The Trust has invested well over the years for its sewer and other expenses, so the Council was more than happy to assist with the water connection,” said Beck.
Mayor Marie Black said the support Council has provided to enable a secure water connection demonstrates the willingness to work with the Hanmer Springs community members who can deliver outcomes for themselves, and this sits neatly inside the Council’s 2026-2037 Strategy.
“The Hanmer Springs Forest Camp is a special place that has provided countless young people the opportunity to step outside of a classroom, connect with nature and learn lessons that cannot always be taught from behind a desk.”
She added that providing reliable water is an important investment for the future of this facility.
