Watercare has ditched plans for a huge $300 million-plus water treatment plant at Oratia.

The decision is a huge victory for the close community of Oratia, which faced the loss of up to 18 homes and rural properties, and furiously opposed the plant plan.

But the Watercare board today decided to build a new plant alongside the existing Huia water treatment plant at Titirangi, removing native bush to do so.

Watercare had identified two sites on the narrow, dead-end Parker Rd for the new treatment plant to replace the 90-year-old Huia plant, which treats water from the dams in the Waitakere Ranges.

The new plant is planned to be more efficient and boost water treatment by up to 15 per cent. Along with a new pipeline to North Harbour it will help meet the growth needs of northwest Auckland.

"You would go a long way before finding another community like it [Oratia] in Auckland, opponent Paul Goldsmith told the Herald when the proposal hit the headlines in February. "It's deeply rooted in its heritage with families who have been here for over 100 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, who has lived at Oratia for the past eight years, backed the local community.