Debate contribution: Waste Water Infrastructure: East Belfast

Debate contribution by Ms Joanne Bunting on 11 February 2025.

MLA

Ms Joanne Bunting

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

11 February 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Waste Water Infrastructure: East Belfast

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4793896

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I am grateful to the Member for securing the Adjournment debate on this important topic. This evening's debate will provide a valuable opportunity for us, as local reps, to discuss the matter constructively and to air our concerns with a view to seeing improvement in our part of the city. I also congratulate the Minister on her promotion and wish her well in her new role. Our waste water infrastructure in East Belfast is undoubtedly causing significant problems, with wider implications than might at first appear to be the case. The 'Spotlight' programme to which Mr McReynolds referred outlined some shocking statistics and a terrifying problem. Moreover, the focus on East Belfast and the state of its Sydenham plant was alarming at best, not to mention exactly what is ending up in the Connswater river, where, in the famed Hollow, we have all attended many's a plastic duck race with community groups. On reflection, we may be shocked to learn the full extent of how bad things have become, although it is probably not a huge leap, given the issues that we have worked on in the constituency for the past number of years. I want to consider the wider effects, particularly on development and growth. There is no question that East Belfast is at capacity in nearly every way that relates to capital infrastructure and development in general. The schools are full, the hospital is full, the roads are full and the park-and-ride is full, yet the truth is that East Belfast remains one of the most desirable places in which to live in the whole of Northern Ireland. I say that not out of natural bias but because it is right.

It is true. We have a significant housing problem, especially when it comes to affordable and social housing, because there are hardly any vacant sites left on which to build. What has that got to do with waste water infrastructure? Everything. When a site is identified, not only does planning take for ever, but Northern Ireland Water usually indicates that the system is at capacity, and so the multiple issues with connection commence. We have now learned that Northern Ireland Water has paused the living with water programme due to a lack of funding. Waste water and sewerage infrastructure or the lack thereof is having a material impact on East Belfast's ability not only to grow but to accommodate those who were raised there and wish to stay. The lack of affordable and social housing cannot be addressed fully for the reasons that I have just outlined. The tower blocks are coming down, and people want to stay in their localities, but there is nowhere to put them. People are therefore moving away from their neighbourhoods, their families, their support, their local networks, their neighbours, their communities and the areas that they love. Even when one site is essentially replaced by another and the numbers on the usage of the water infrastructure are unlikely to change, it appears that that is still not straightforward enough for Northern Ireland Water to grant the approvals for the necessary connections easily. Such was the problem for a local school that I assisted recently. The flooding in Park Avenue in Dundonald in the mouth of Christmas is further evidence of a system that, for one reason or another, is not working for those who live in the area. People watched in horror as waste water and sewage entered their homes and cars, causing ruin that will take years to fix and will result in insurance problems. That has inflicted significant financial burdens on people and constant worry that it will happen again or that they will never be able to sell. For many, the feeling of sanctuary, safety and pride in their home has been completely destroyed. Some of the issues are down to infrastructure ultimately, but proper management and preventative maintenance of what is there is also key, as are timely solutions when problems arise. Something must be done. I appreciate that there are considerable budgetary pressures, but East Belfast cannot and should not continue to be at the bottom of the pile when it comes to investment in the city and its people. The need for all capital infrastructure in East Belfast, waste water included, needs to be reviewed and planned for so that we do not fall even further behind our counterparts in other Belfast constituencies and can plan for the future and allow East Belfast to fulfil its potential. I appreciate that the cost around the waste water issue is significant, but so will be the return on investment for many decades not only through rates but because there simply comes a point when throwing good money after bad in trying to fix the unrepairable, which is never a good idea, is just no longer viable. I know that the budgetary positions are extremely difficult and that there are many and significant competing priorities, but it is imperative that we get a grip on this before there is a catastrophic point from which we cannot return. At that stage, the cost will be considerably more, not just in capital expenditure. East Belfast deserves better. I urge the Minister to act and to act urgently.

877 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:01 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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