Council approves significant network infrastructure upgrades

Published on 10 December 2025

Replacement or relining of century old pipework, rural water mains, treatment for rural supplies and road resurfacing and coastal protection out for procurement.

Waitaki’s water and roading networks will be the focus of infrastructure investment over the next five years, as the Mayor and Councillors approved five proposals for procurement at today’s meeting of full Council.

Two of these projects recognise Council’s commitment to delivering safe, quality drinking water to the community with the replacement of rural water mains in Hampden, Moeraki, Airedale and Round Hill and the installation of end-point water treatment to users for the Awamoko, Kauru Hill, Windsor and Tokarahi rural supplies.

This end-point treatment will mean these supplies meet Water Service Regulator requirements and lift the long-term Boil Water notices for those four supplies.

The budget for replacing rural water mains will be $1.64 million, and the treatment units is budgeted at around $4.4 million.

Council will also create a secure wastewater network that’s fit for Oamaru, with a planned four-year relining, replacement or upgrade of the 1920’s earthenware wastewater pipe network. This project is budgeted at $7.68 million.

Sealed pavement rehabilitation will be funded in partnership with the NZTA, with Council contributing 43% of the $2.08 million dollar budget. This includes pavement repairs, surface renewal, drainage improvements and signage and road marking upgrades.

There is also a focus on coastal erosion, with planned partnership work with NZTA to protect the southern end of Beach Road as it enters Kakanui, and sections of Waianakarua road south of All Day Bay, with either engineered rock bags or traditional rock armouring. The $2.05 million budget for this will be funded 79% by NZTA.

Waitakis road network is often funded at least 57% by NZTA through the National Land Transport Programme. However, our water network is funded through long-term borrowing which is paid off by ratepayers over the life time of the assets.

ENDS

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