Wellington's sewage crisis cripples South Coast businesses amid beach closures
A significant failure at Wellington's Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has forced the closure of popular South Coast beaches. Local businesses, already struggling with summer trade losses, now face severe financial strain as customers stay away. The plant's issues were known for years before the latest breakdown.
Problems at the Moa Point plant were first raised publicly in 2022, but concerns date back further. A major breakdown in March 2023 caused untreated sewage to flow into Wellington Harbour. Equipment failures have plagued the facility since 2019, with council audits from 2020 highlighting delays in maintenance due to aging infrastructure. Wellington Water now estimates it could take months before the plant is fully operational again.
The beach closures have hit businesses hard, particularly those relying on summer visitors. Seaview Takeaways has lost nearly 70% of its trade in the past two weeks. Botanist cafe reports daytime customers halved and evening numbers down to just a quarter of usual levels. Verdure Surf, a local surfboard maker, has had no local inquiries since news of the contamination spread.
Destination KRL, a group representing local businesses, has urged Wellington City Council to step in. Steve Walters from the association estimates around 30 businesses have suffered dramatic losses over the last fortnight. The council has acknowledged the crisis but has yet to outline any concrete support measures.
The plant's failure has left beaches off-limits at a critical time for tourism-dependent businesses. With repairs expected to take months, many face an uncertain future. The council's response will determine how quickly the area can recover from the economic fallout.
