Efforts to fix ongoing sewerage problems on the Whaanga Coast have moved ahead with the Waikato District Council agreeing to draw up designs for a coastal wastewater project.

Councillors this week voted for staff to proceed with detailed design and tendering of the $2.17 million Whaanga Coast wastewater scheme.

The initiative will see properties connected to a reticulation network and their wastewater sent to the Raglan treatment plant.

Staff will report back if the tender price exceeds the council's budget.

Sixty of 110 properties have signed up for the project, with others expected to join the scheme once the project starts.

The Whaanga Coast includes settlements such as Manu Bay, Whale Bay and Upper Wainui Rd.

Residents whose on-site waste systems are assessed as compliant can opt out of the scheme.

Council water and facilities manager Richard Bax said Whaanga Coast had evolved from a community of low-cost lifestyle homes and baches to permanent residences, tourist accommodation and camps.

Council inspections found a number of on-site waste systems were failing and causing overflow and seepage into neighbouring properties and waterways.

The council has proposed a 60:40 funding split between the community and the council for the capital cost of the scheme.

Mr Bax said the Whaanga Coast community were supportive of cleaning up the environment but did not want to fully fund the cost of the scheme.

Raglan Ward councillor Clint Baddeley said the Whaanga Coast community was a "diverse range of people" whose support of the scheme would not have been possible without the council subsidy.

Ratepayers will not need to pay their first contribution to the scheme until mid-next year.

- © Fairfax NZ News