Aucklanders set to benefit from more resilient infrastructure

Watercare has completed its $75 million Auckland-wide flood recovery programme, with final works now finished at Leigh Scenic Reserve in Bay View.

More than three years after the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle events of early 2023, the programme has delivered 222 large scale infrastructure repairs across the region, restoring and strengthening critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

This work was about more than replacing ageing assets and building resilience into Auckland networks.

“Critical pipes have been raised or lowered where needed, assets in locations that were no longer fit for purpose have been removed, and networks have been reconfigured so floodwaters can move away from key infrastructure.

“These improvements will help the system perform better and withstand the kind of severe weather we know Auckland will continue to face,” says the Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown.

Watercare chief capital delivery officer Mark Crowle says the organisation’s initial response focused on restoring essential services and protecting public health.

“As soon as it was safe to do so, our priority was reconnecting customers as quickly as possible. This included clearing slips and installing robust temporary solutions, such as overland wastewater bypasses.

Spider Digger fixes slip behind Birkenhead College.

“These measures enabled services to resume while permanent works were designed and delivered.

“Those temporary solutions gave us the time needed to carefully plan and construct long-term repairs.”

Crowle says that, through the flood recovery programme, Watercare has prioritised resilience, with infrastructure upgraded rather than simply replaced.

“We have rerouted pipes away from unstable ground, relocated key assets, installed pipelines deeper underground, and used trenchless methods to better protect them from future extreme weather.”

Crowle says the scale of the damage required a shift in how Watercare delivers infrastructure.

“We reprioritised investment, accelerated delivery, and adopted more innovative construction approaches.

“It has also changed how we design assets, ensuring we are better equipped to withstand future events, with stronger planning, smarter delivery, better systems, and clear accountability supported by stronger partnerships.”

Final stage completed at Leigh Scenic Reserve

The retaining wall at Leigh Scenic Reserve.

Watercare’s final flood recovery project was completed at Leigh Scenic Reserve and involved complex repairs to wastewater infrastructure damaged by landslips during the 2023 storms.

Watercare capital delivery general manager Mike Marsden says a pipeline was exposed and compromised, while the surrounding area including the root zones of two large kauri trees was also affected.

“We first stabilised the site to maintain services, then delivered a permanent solution to strengthen both the pipeline and the stream bank.

“Working in an environmentally sensitive reserve presented several challenges, including limited access and the need to protect significant trees.

“We strengthened a pedestrian bridge so a 3.5-tonne excavator could travel about 300 metres into the site. Works had to be carefully staged to avoid further environmental impact.”

During construction, a sinkhole formed near the work area, requiring the team to adapt their approach.

“Additional stabilisation measures were introduced to ensure the embankment and infrastructure remained secure.”

Marsden says the permanent repair includes a retaining wall built with magnum stone blocks and riprap to prevent erosion and stabilise the stream bank.

“The result is a durable, free-draining solution that provides strong erosion protection while fitting into the natural surroundings. 

“The completion of works at Leigh Scenic Reserve closes out a programme that has restored services across Auckland while leaving behind more resilient infrastructure to better support communities and the environment in future extreme weather.”