Central Government Funding Accelerates Wastewater Investment in Central Hawke’s Bay

Investment in Central Hawke’s Bay’s wastewater has been accelerated today, with Council approving the completion of a key wastewater linkage between Otane and Waipawa, funded as part of an $11 million grant to provide economic stimulus from COVID-19 in Central Hawke’s Bay. 

Investment in Central Hawke’s Bay’s three waters network, was a clear priority identified by the community in Project Thrive and the 2018 Long Term Plan.  The development of #thebigwastewaterstory in response to this, seeks to address the significant scale of renewal and legislative standards Council and community faces.  The development of the Otane to Waipawa wastewater pipeline, is a key project in supporting the removal of the community's wastewater discharge to the Districts waterways.  

In August 2020, Central Hawke’s Bay received $11 million of funding as part of a $50 million  stimulus funding package for three waters across Hawke’s Bay.  The funding, provided as a grant to Council was the first phase of a partnership process with Central Government to consider the reform of three waters service delivery arrangements in New Zealand.  Accepting the grant, does not bind Council or the community to the reform programme. 

Stage 1 of the Otane to Waipawa pipeline project saw an initial 3.5 kilometres - some 40% of the total distance of the pipeline between Otane and Waipawa, completed earlier this year.  Stage 2 of the pipeline, that Council approved today, involves the installation of the remaining 4,500 metres of pipeline, with the project's cost of $2 million being funded by the $11 million of grant funding. The work will create 2-4 new labour roles to assist with delivery of the pipeline and another 1-2 roles to assist with design and improvements across the plants. Council has opted for direct procurement for this stage of works with stage 1 contractor Fulton Hogan, reducing the resulting costs and time delays of market procurement. 

“We know the significant challenges we face as a community across our three water networks, balancing affordability with the required investment in renewals, and increasing legislative requirements”, says Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker.  “This funding is a key lever for us to address the massive infrastructural investment that is ahead of us”. 

A further Stage 3 of the project is planned in 2021, involving the installation of a new pump station.  This will see the pipeline operational by the end of 2021. 

Work on the project is expected to commence in late 2020 and will be complete in 2021. 

Project Thrive: