Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters announced today that new stormwater works are due to get underway on Tahi Road, Ostend Road, Tawaipareira Reserve and the Waiheke Refuse Transfer Station to improve the stormwater network.
The project is intended to reduce road and property flooding on Tahi and Ostend Roads and involves the creation of a new stormwater channel from Tawaipareira Reserve, along the eastern border of the transfer station, which will discharge through a new outlet structure under Ostend Road.
Downer Construction has been awarded the stormwater works’ contract and has established their project office on Tahi Road. The first stage will see Downer install erosion and sediment controls within Tawaipareira Reserve. Once completed, work will get underway on Ostend Road, including within the coastal marine area. In parallel, works will be undertaken within the boundaries of the Waiheke Refuse Transfer Station.
“We’re pleased to get this project underway as part of a broader plan of works to improve stormwater management on the island,” says Craig McIlroy, General Manager Healthy Waters.
“Although the project will have some impact on traffic flow in the area, as well as on transfer station operations, we ask for the local community’s support during this time as the long-term benefits of the project will make a real difference to residents and local businesses in the vicinity of Tahi and Ostend Roads.”
Temporary delays expected on Ostend Road
The stormwater works project will have a temporary impact on traffic flow on Ostend Road. A traffic management plan has been finalised with Auckland Transport. Auckland Council advises road users to allow extra time for possible delays and diversions during this time.
Temporary shoulder closures and speed restrictions will be in place on Ostend Road, near the transfer station and Tahi Road intersection, which may create some congestion from July to December 2019. There may also be temporary lane closures, but not for significant periods of time.
Changes to transfer station services
There will be several changes to transfer station operations to accommodate the stormwater works being carried out at the rear of the transfer station site.
The New Hope Shop has relocated to 6 Belgium Street for the duration of the stormwater works project. There will also be changes to the location of some of the material drop-off points within the transfer station. In addition, customers may experience potential delays in entering and exiting the site and making drop-offs, due to restricted access and temporary traffic management measures on Ostend Road.
The transfer station is also temporarily unable to accept green waste from commercial operators, due to space restrictions. From 15 July 2019, all commercial customers will need to dispose of their green waste at Greenacres Waiheke Limited, 1 Fisher Road, Onetangi. Greenacres will process green waste on Auckland Council’s behalf until completion of the stormwater works project.
“With the anticipated changes, transfer station staff will be working hard to make sure everyone is kept safe and that delays or disruptions are kept to a minimum,” says Parul Sood, Programme Director Waste Solutions.
“We ask customers to please check in with weighbridge staff when they enter to confirm what they are dropping off, so staff can let them know if drop-off points have moved and can direct customers to the right location.”
No works will take place on the transfer station site during the busy summer period from 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2020 to minimise disruption to residents and transfer station users.
Translocation of skink population a success
As the works’ footprint impacts on the Tawaipareira Reserve, the project scope included the salvage and relocation of the resident copper skink population to minimise any potential adverse effects on the native species. Early works were completed within the reserve in late May 2019, which involved initial vegetation clearance and lizard surveying, capture, and relocation.
Ecologists, supervised by a herpetologist, undertook the lizard salvage works, which included a manual search, nocturnal survey, and mowing recovery. During the exercise, scientists were able to record ages, lengths, and the reproductive status of each skink, as well as taking representative photographs of both the animals and their habitat.
In total, 64 copper skinks (Oligosoma Aeneum) were salvaged and safely relocated to a new home outside the stormwater works’ footprint area. A lizard-proof fence has been erected to ensure the skinks cannot re-enter the works’ zone for the duration of the project.
Where to go for more information
Stormwater construction works are expected to be substantially complete by mid-February 2020, with full completion expected by May 2020.
Flyers with more details are available from the Waiheke refuse transfer station, Waiheke service centre, and the local library.
For more information, contact Auckland Council’s Call Centre on 09 301 0101. For enquiries regarding Waiheke Refuse Transfer Station, contact them directly on 09 372 1070.
Healthy Waters publishes a newsletter on current and upcoming Waiheke stormwater projects. If you would like to subscribe, please send a request to HWcustomerandcommunity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
