The Ōreti River is the sole source of water for Invercargill and Bluff, which is drawn from the awa at the Branxholme Water Treatment plant just north of the city. The water is supplied through two trunk supply mains. These were installed in 1958 and they have come to the end of their natural lifespan.
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade will ensure that water is able to get to the city without disruption, and ensure we continue to have access to safe, clean drinking water.
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade is one of Invercargill City Council’s major infrastructure projects. We’re replacing more than 10 kilometres of pipeline, with the work set to be carried out in stages as it progresses through the city to minimise disruption as much as we can.
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Where the project will happen
The work
Keep checking here to find out which stage of the work the project is at, and which parts of town can expect some disruption.
The dates outlined below are indicative only and are subject to change.
Where we are
October 2024 – McIvor Road
The roadworks that were taking place on Tuesday, October 8 was postponed due to weather. This resealing work will now take place on Tuesday October 15. McIvor Road will be closed for one day as we carry out resealing work. This work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled in the event of bad weather.
The McIvor Road work will take place between the State Highway 6/North Road intersection and Retreat Road.
What this means for residents:
- You will still be able to access Anderson Park and Donovan Park via Retreat Road and Bainfield Road.
- Temporary traffic management will be in place to operate the road closure.
- Access to residences and the holiday park on McIvor Road will be maintained.
- To access McIvor Road from SH6, follow the detour via Bainfield Rd, Retreat Rd or Lorne Dacre/Mill Rd North.
- To access SH6, follow the detour via Retreat Rd, Bainfield Rd or Lorne Dacre Rd/Mill Rd North
We thank you for your patience as we undertake this work.
How this will impact you
Because of the size of this project, and the amount of work we have to do, you will notice some disruptions around the city. This could include changes to traffic flow, traffic delays, and changes to property access along the way.
If you live or work along the Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade route, we will get in touch with you a few weeks beforehand. We’ll also get back in touch with you about a week before we are scheduled to arrive in your area, to let you know specific timeframes and disruptions.
We know that everybody will have different needs, and we’re committed to working with our community to find solutions that work for everyone.
Get in touch
If you’re worried about how this project will impact you, please get in touch with us directly by email Water.Renewal@icc.govt.nz, or phoning (03) 211 1777.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does our water comes from?
The Ōreti River is the sole water source for Invercargill and Bluff. It is drawn from the awa at the Branxholme Water Treatment Plant, just north of Invercargill. This water is supplied to the city through two trunk supply mains, which were installed in 1958. One of the 600mm pipelines was upgraded in 2014.
What is the Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade?
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade will replace just under 11 kilometres of pipeline, connecting the Branxholme Water Treatment Plant to the water tower on Gala St, in central Invercargill.
Physical work on the Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade began in August 2022.
It’s a significant infrastructure project for our city. Because the project is so large, the Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade was broken down into several stages to minimise disruption to the community as much as possible.
Why does this work need to happen?
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade is needed to maintain our city’s critical water infrastructure. The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade, included in Invercargill City Council’s Long-term Plan, will ensure our city continues to enjoy a clean, safe water supply.
Most of our city’s pipe network is made of asbestos cement: and it’s coming to the end of its lifespan. (This can vary, depending on things like the diameter of the pipe, thickness, quality of manufacture, soil conditions, and more.)
It’s a critical asset – our city relies on this pipeline for our water supply – so it needs to be replaced urgently.
What’s wrong with the current pipe?
The pipe we’re replacing was installed in 1958. On-site testing showed it had a natural lifespan of 60 years – and our city has already relied on it for longer than that.
In the last few years it has had several major failures, which required emergency work to repair.
As the pipeline gets older, the risk that it will fail again has grown. This is a critical asset for our city: so not replacing this is not an option.
How long is the project going to take?
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade is a once-in-a-generation project. Physical work on the project began in August 2022, and it is one of our city’s largest infrastructure projects currently underway. Work is progressing well but it is expected to continue for several more months yet.
What areas will be affected?
The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade is a large project – we’re installing almost 11 kilometres of pipeline – and it will progress through different parts of the city, as we connect the water treatment plant just north of Invercargill to the city’s water tower on Gala St. This means the project will impact different areas within the city, at different times. The parts of town this project will impact are listed above, along with approximate dates work is expected to take place in each area. However, please note that these dates are indicative only and are subject to change.
How can I find out what’s happening with the project?
The best way to stay informed about the latest news is to sign up to our newsletter updates.
We’ll also be posting updates to our Facebook page: head to facebook.com/InvercargillCityCouncil to follow us.
Why is it going to take so long?
The pipeline will be more than 10 kilometres long, and there is a lot of work to be done to install this. We have already installed more than three kilometres of the pipeline, along a state highway. It’s important we maintain access for residents, local businesses, and the community while we work: but this ultimately means things take a bit longer, as we work around existing infrastructure in the areas we are installing the pipeline. We will navigate some busy streets, which can also slow down progress. The Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade will also go underneath two waterways (the Waikiwi Stream and the Waihōpai River), and will cross the roundabout at Lorneville.
It’s a complex job. We want to do this once, and we want to do it right.
How much is it going to cost?
The overall project is expected to cost $27 million. Funding for the project has been set aside in the Invercargill City Council’s Long-term Plan, and a contribution from central Government.
To ensure ratepayers are receiving a fair deal, Council followed a robust procurement process. Construction costs have increased recently, which may mean the cost of this project increases too. We will continue to look for ways to minimise and mitigate this.
What is the new pipe made of, and how will it be made?
The new pipe is made from polyethylene, a type of plastic also known as PE.
Using modern welding techniques, the individual pieces of pipeline will be joined together on-site – essentially forming one long string.
This makes the pipeline very strong, and much more resilient than other types of pipe.
How long will the new pipeline last?
The new pipeline is much more durable and resilient, and it’s designed to last more than 100 years. Similar pipes have been in service in Australia since the 1950s.
Why is the pipeline’s route changing?
The route the new pipeline will take is slightly different to the existing one. The main reason for this was to ensure the existing pipeline could remain active throughout the project: taking it out of service would disrupt the water supply to Invercargill and Bluff. The new route also means the line will be removed from as many private properties as possible.
How will I know when my street is going to be closed?
The best way to know how this project might impact you is by signing up to our email update list: scroll up, and enter your details, to join our subscriber database.
We will be in touch with residents and businesses along the route about a month before work begins in their area. We’ll also let you know specific timeframes and information relevant to you before we arrive.
Why is my street closed for so long?
Some streets will take longer than others, depending on factors like how many other utilities we have to navigate, how narrow the road is, and the weather. We appreciate this project will be disruptive: and we will be working as quickly as we can to complete the project and minimise the impact it has on our community.
How long will my access be affected?
This will vary, but our contractor will be in touch with residents and businesses to discuss how long access could be affected. However, if you have any concerns, we will work with you to find a solution that works for everybody.
Will the construction be noisy/dusty/impact my property?
At some points during the day, there will be some construction noise. Dust will be effectively managed onsite to not create a nuisance. We will be working to minimise the impact the project has as much as we can.
Will my water be shut off?
A few isolated temporary shutdowns will be required, but we will let anybody impacted by these know in advance. These will be timed to minimise the impact of the shutdown, depending on the area.
What do I do with my bins while the work is on my street?
Keep putting your bins outside your property on the usual day. If necessary, the contractor will shift them to a central pickup spot and back again for collection. Make sure your bin still has a label with your address on it.
I want to talk to somebody directly about this. How can I contact the right people?
Please get in touch via email (Water.Renewal@icc.govt.nz) or call us on (03) 211 1777.
