First up, we are in Spring, with all the changeable weather that brings, with 16 weeks left to make the most of 2024 (so much to do, so little time….). Also, a reminder that our clocks will turn forward an hour on 29 September at 2am as part of Daylight Saving.
This month’s newsletter is focused on a number of local investments I’ve been working on (some for a considerable length of time) and which I’ve finally been able to get to delivery on over the next few months.
It has been a long time coming but the final section of the shared path “spine” (stage 4 Tāmaki Drive to Glen Innes) is due to start next week (Monday 23 September). Auckland Transport are preparing areas for the boardwalk construction over the water around the eastern edge of Hobson Bay from Whakatakataka Reserve through to Purewa Bridge at the bottom of Orakei Road. Once the preparatory works are completed, actual construction will start at the end of the year. A completion date has noy yet been confirmed (I will keep you posted) but this last section once finished will replace the temporary cycling facility along Ngāpipi Road.
What you will see over the next few days is the clearing of space for the future boardwalk at Whakatakataka Reserve and behind the Ōrākei park and ride car park, where they will be removing 350m2 of privet trees. Part of the construction brief is to replace any tree removal with native planting once the project is complete.
This preparatory work will take up to 5 days total and there will be some disruption including:
· 5 (or fewer) five-minute rolling closures on Purewa Bridge when the team are pulling out privet trees right next to the bridge. This will be carried out outside of rush hour and will be a brief delay for people (including those on foot and bike) who will need to wait a few minutes before carrying on their journey)
· Tree trimming and tree work related noise
· 6 car parking spaces in Orakei Park and Ride will be out of use whilst the work is undertaken
The beginning of 2023 was a time to remember for all the wrong reasons mainly due to a year’s worth of rain in a few months. Councils recently approved Long-term plan (the 10-year budget) included The Making Space for Water programme, a comprehensive 10-year, $760 million effort funded by local and central government sources to improve flood readiness and mitigate risk across Auckland.
As part of this programme, Council have made significant advancement in stormwater management capabilities by delivering cutting-edge, AI – driven hotspot cameras across the city. Solar-powered cameras capture images at key stormwater sites, then use artificial intelligence to analyse the information and alert contractors to problems. Of the 23 cameras installed so far across the region, four are in the Ōrākei ward located in St Johns, Ōrākei, Glendowie and St Heliers. The hot spots selected are known flood risks, because debris often builds up, causing blockages, this technology will eventually allow our contractors to clear blockages as soon as they are detected, therefore lowering flood risk.
Talking storm damage, you will I’m sure remember the collapsed wastewater sewer line approximately 25 metres deep, down under the Rose Garden in Judges Bay. Due to the depth and location of the pipe it has taken a while to find a permanent solution. Watercare now have one and works have started this month and are planned to finish mid-July next year. Further information can be found here: www.watercare.co.nz/judgesbay
Residents in Judges Bay Road and Bridgewater Road where the works will occur, will keep vehicle access for themselves, their guests and service providers. Pedestrian access will always be maintained along Judges Bay Rd and Bridgewater Road. However, there will be some disruption:
• Traffic management will be in place 24/7 during construction for the safety of the public, traffic movement, and workers. Judges Bay Rd Intersection with Bridgewater Rd will operate under a 3-way stop/go.
• On-street parking on the lower section of Judges Bay Reserve adjacent to Dove Myer Robinson Park will not be available, or will be significantly reduced, during construction.
• On rubbish day Watercare are requesting that residents’ bins are placed on the other side of the road, to allow the rubbish truck access with the flow of traffic. Assistance will be available in advance for anyone who needs this, please contact Watercare-JudgesBayPS@water.co.nz.
Now from a sewer to a sinkhole.
Remember the sinkhole the size of a tennis court that appeared beside lower St Georges Bay Road last year? Well, Watercare’s been working nonstop to fix the broken Ōrākei Main sewer under that sinkhole and that section of St Georges Bay Road is expected to be fully opened to the public by early-December along with the carpark. I’m sure those who live/work around there will also be glad to see the temporary Pump station and associated road cones gone too.
This links to my advocacy for proactive work to futureproof the Orakei Main sewer line. After undertaking a condition assessment of the remaining 9km of the Ōrākei Main Sewer to help mitigate the risk of future failure, Watercare has decided to reline the sewer so it can continue to be in service for another 100 years. This work is in a number of stages with the next bit (Stage 2) taking approximately 6 months based in a section of Alberon Reserve in Parnell.
I’ve also had another successful achievement on behalf of the residents of Remuera/Meadowbank who have seen burst water pipes at least four times in a year, some without water for over 24 hours! Finally, after some frank discussions with Watercare, I can confirm works to repair the Remuera water pipe (near Stoneyroyd Gardens) will start this financial year. I am awaiting an actual date, but funding is locked in, and it will definitely happen. However, we still do have a problem , and a potential solution.
There’s a section on Remuera Road right next to the section being renewed that’s been identified for future replacement, which is not yet scheduled in yet. I’m still waiting for that timing confirmation.
One of the reasons for pipeline breaks in the area is the steep gradients of the pipes, particularly between Remuera Road and the Remuera Golf Course. These slopes can over-pressurize the network, making it more prone to breaks. To address this, Watercare will install new equipment to better control pressure and prevent over-pressurization. Residents won’t notice any change in their water pressure, but this will greatly reduce the number and severity of leaks. So overall, this is great news for the ward.
Change of subject but an important reminder for you (or anyone you know). If your home was affected by the 2023 storms, you have until 30 September 2024 to register for the property categorisation scheme.
This is particularly for those homes who have had
1. over half a metre of flooding in their home, or
2. received a red or yellow placard (sticker), or
3. were affected by a landslide.
Why is this important? Because there is ongoing assistance available and if you are not registered you will not be eligible for additional support. We are acutely aware of the stress some homeowners are still experiencing so please, if you or someone you know could benefit from this assessment and support, please share the information and deadline date. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/deadline-approaching
Finally, it was great to vote this month in support of 15 sports organisations serving over 20 different sporting codes around Auckland to receive $3.2 million in grants over the next three years. Auckland Netball Centre in St Johns was one of those. Excellent news for our netball players and other sporting codes who use that facility.
Desley