Four major water infrastructure projects under construction in Mt Roskill and its nearby suburbs will play a major role in supporting the construction of over 12,000 homes.
The four projects underway are: the replacement of Huia 1 – a large-diameter watermain – on Duke Street and McCullough Ave, the construction of the Akarana Pump Station on Dominion Rd, the Waikōwhai pipelines, and the watermain upgrades in Wesley and Owairaka.
These projects – alongside other planned water and wastewater infrastructure projects – will significantly support the development of 11,200 Kāinga Ora community homes and 945 privately funded residential homes.
Watercare project manager Tim Manning says the Huia 1 replacement will transport treated drinking water to around 20 per cent of Auckland's population.
"We’re building a new pipeline because the current pipeline is ageing and is no longer fit for its intended purpose.
“It’s being installed along road corridors and reserves to ensure easy access in case of any future network failures.
“The new pipe will be bigger than the existing one, and therefore caters for growth in the community.”
Manning says the Duke St and McCullough Ave sections of the Huia 1 replacement project are on track to be completed by the middle of next year.
"Work on the replacement pipeline will begin on Donovan St and White Swan Rd in December.
"We also plan to return to finish work on the pipeline's May Rd and Marion Avenue section mid-next year."
Watercare project manager Peter Kukulsky says the Akarana Pump Station, Waikōwhai pipelines and watermain upgrade in Wesley and Owairaka are among the seven projects Watercare will deliver in partnership with Kāinga Ora. These projects are part of the Mt Roskill shovel-ready programme and will be completed within the next 15 years.
"These projects and upgrades are needed as our current water and wastewater networks cannot support future residential and commercial development.”
Kukulsky says under the shovel-ready programme, the Akarana Pump Station will be the first of the three water projects to be built and is expected to be completed by March 2024.
"When in service, the Akarana Pump Station will be able to pump over 200 litres of water per second into the network – roughly doubling the amount of water available in the community.”
The Waikōwhai replacement pipeline is expected to be completed in early 2025, with the Wesley and Owairaka upgrades scheduled for completion later that same year.
"Both infrastructure projects will see the installation of larger pipes that will be able to take advantage of the extra water the Akarana Pump Station can pump through.”
Kukulsky says Watercare’s construction partner Fulton Hogan has started the second stage of the Wesley and Owairaka upgrades.
"The project crew has started work on O'Donnell Ave and will proceed to work up Parkinson Ave, Farrelly Ave, and Denize Rd.
"Meanwhile, the team in Mt Roskill will continue working on the Waikōwhai pipeline at the intersection of Richardson Rd and Penney Ave and on Richardson Rd East.”
Kukulsky says commuters and residents can expect to experience some traffic and noise disruptions while these critical works are underway.
"Traffic management will be present throughout the project and consist of one-way detours.
"The traffic management currently on Richardson Rd will switch to Dominion Rd and Dominion Rd Extension next year."
"However, to keep these disruptions to a minimum these works will be carried out during regular work hours, 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday – and we will continue to notify the public of any traffic management and layout changes before construction. Sites will also be fenced to ensure public safety.
“Please follow the guidance of our on-site traffic personnel and posted signage.”
