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, April 2024
The Branxholme Pipeline Project is now around 64% complete and continuing to progress on track. Project work is currently underway at McIvor Road and Thomsons Bush. McIvor Road is now open one way.
Thomsons Bush – Track closures
Work will commence at Thomsons Bush on Tuesday, April 16th, and is expected to continue for approximately six weeks. During these works, there will be some disruptions within Thomsons Bush between Gimblett Street and Preston Street.
What this means for local residents and users of Thomson Bush:
- There will be a closure of some walking tracks within Thomson Bush along the pipeline route, situated on the western side of the reserve
- Vegetation will be removed along the pipeline route to carry out this work
- There will also be the movement of heavy machinery in the area as installation works are carried out
- We do not expect road closures as part of this phase of the project
- We advise all residents to keep clear of the machinery and work area for their safety
While this work will cause some disruption to those who use the tracks in the reserve, the good news is that this work does not require road closures or limiting access to businesses or homes.
Thomsons Bush Track Closures
The red lines on the map below indicate where tracks will be closed. Signs will also be in place to indicate closed tracks.
What will happen after the pipeline work is done?
Upon completion of the work, we will reconstruct a new walking track, with landscaping to follow. The reinstatement work will enhance the tracks and ensure the reserve remains a well-maintained recreational space for everyone to enjoy.
Throughout the project, our team has sought opportunities to maximise efficiency and minimise disruption. Earlier project planning intended for this section of the pipeline route to run down Bastian Street—work that would have caused considerable disruption to the businesses operating there. However, a viable solution was reached, which was to take the pipeline through Thomson Bush. Disturbing vegetation is always treated as a significant decision by Council. In this case, there were clear benefits, including cost savings, minimising disruption, and achieving an improved outcome for planting and tracks at the reserve.
McIvor Road – closures and traffic restrictions
From Wednesday, April 10th, a section of McIvor Road will be closed for approximately three weeks as we carry out works associated with the Branxholme Pipeline Upgrade project. During these works, there will be disruptions to traffic flow along McIvor Road.
The work will take place on McIvor Road between the State Highway 6/North Rd intersection and Retreat Road.
This work is expected only to affect residents of McIvor Road. Access to Anderson Park and Donovan Park will be maintained, with access possible from the Retreat Road or Myross Rd route. Donovan Park will still be accessible off Bainfield Rd. Access to the Invercargill Holiday Park will be maintained.
What this means for residents living in the area:
- There will be a complete road closure of McIvor Road for a period of approximately 3 days between the State Highway 6/North Road intersection and west to No. 20 McIvor Road.
- Residents living on McIvor Road within the road closure will all have vehicle access to their properties but will need to access their property from the Retreat Road end.
- To access McIvor Road from SH6 during the road closure, you will need to take a detour via Bainfield Road, Retreat Road or Lorne Dacre Rd/Mill Rd North.
- For the remainder of the three-week work period, McIvor Road will be single-lane access only. Travel on McIvor Road will only be possible for eastbound traffic –coming off SH6 North Road for a period of approximately three weeks.
- There will be a second period at the end of this work when McIvor Road will be closed again for a few days to backfill and reinstate the road. We will provide further information on this closer to the time.
- Temporary traffic management will be in place to operate the road closure.
- No temporary water shutdowns are scheduled. However, if this changes, we will advise you as soon as possible.
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.
