Mediation to begin on wastewater treatment plant case

Published on 14 October 2015

14 October 2015

Deputy Mayor Hamish McDouall says mediation will begin on Thursday (October 15) in Wanganui District Council’s claim against MWH Global, the designer of the city’s failed wastewater treatment plant.

In August Justice Denis Clifford made a decision to postpone a trial date for the case but ordered MWH to enter into mediation with the Council.

Cr McDouall, who leads the Council’s wastewater treatment plant legal review team, said the mediation process is set down for two days.

“I am anticipating robust discussion but I am confident that both parties have bona fide intention to settle the treatment plant dispute,” Cr McDouall said.

“I believe there is a solid chance of a settlement being reached through the mediation process. If the case goes to trial, we may not get a court date until the latter part of 2016. MWH will need to consider its reputation and the Council needs to consider the impact on our community of a drawn-out legal case if we are unable to reach settlement through mediation.”

It is expected that the details of any settlement will remain confidential.