An Alexandra developer received a nasty surprise recently when he bought a property in Station St which he believed had a 150mm sewer pipe going on to the property.
He obtained a geographic information system (GIS) map from the council that recorded such a pipe as existing before submitting a tender.
He bought the property and demolished the existing house, but when he went to seal the sewer pipe at the boundary, as part of the conditions of demolishing the house, he discovered the pipe was not there, the Central Otago District Council was told.
The sewer only went as far as the boundary of the neighbouring property, meaning he had no service for his four lots.
The developer was contacted by the Otago Daily Times but did not wish to comment.
The GIS map had a disclaimer: "The information displayed in the GIS has been taken from Central Otago District Council [CODC] database and maps. It is made available in good faith, but its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed."
The council's legal advisers, Gallaway Cook Allan, said the incorrect record of the pipe amounted to negligence, and the disclaimer did not negate that.
The council would be liable for the cost of connection from the boundary to the existing sewer pipe. An investigation showed there was not enough fall to allow an extension of that pipe.
Further investigations by the council revealed a 100mm pipe nearby but in poor condition and not big enough to service the proposed subdivision.
Board chairwoman Clair Higginson said it was a warning to developers that historical records did not always reflect the actual in-ground situation and occasionally errors would not be discovered until excavations were made.
The board voted to install a new section of sewer in Station St from number nine, running into the Brandon St sewer main.
Several other problem sewer pipes could then be connected to the new sewer system.
The cost, estimated at $43,274, will be funded from the existing Alexandra sewer reticulation extension and upsizing budgets.
