Ōrākei Main Sewer repair and relining

Project overview

Stage 1 works - Saint Georges Bay Road

Our contractor for the project has been busy working on reinstating the sinkhole in the carpark on Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell. The section of the Ōrākei Main Sewer that was damaged in the sinkhole incident is now complete and the impacted area in the carpark has been backfilled with approximately 1000 cubic metres of fine rock aggregate.

The temporary pump station on Saint George’s Bay Road has been decommissioned and the 600-metre bypass removed.

Work is ongoing to reinstate the temporary pump station chamber.   

Stage 2 relining

The next section, stage 2 works, will involve access via a deep shaft in the northern section of Alberon Reserve and relining of the sewer between manholes 14 and 15 (refer map below) with glass reinforced plastic liner. This technology will enable the Ōrākei main sewer to continue in service for another 100 years.

Project works are progressing well onsite including the following:

• Earthworks and retaining works have now been completed around the worksite in Alberon Reserve.

• Auckland Transport has passed a parking resolution on the corners of Alberon Street, between the hours of Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm. This parking resolution is required to allow the delivery of equipment using heavy vehicles to support the repair of the Ōrākei main sewer. Please refer to map below.

The 13-metre-deep piling works for the access shaft at Alberon Reserve is set to commence in October 2024.

It is anticipated that stage 2 work should be completed by April 2025. The laydown area to support the construction works within the Reserve will remain for access for stage 3 works, commencing September 2025.

During construction Alberon Reserve walkways will remain open, however there will be sections of the Reserve which will fenced off for health and safety. While these parts of the reserve are fenced off, access between Alberon Street and Saint Georges Bay Road will remain as well as the pathway between Alberon Place and Havana Coffee. The southern section of the reserve will remain open for normal recreational use. Further details of the layout are shown on the map below.

Future relining

The deep shaft at manhole 14 will remain open after the completion of Stage 2, as it will be a key access point for Stage 3 relining works between manholes 14 and 13. Stage 3 is currently being planned and is anticipated to begin from September 2025. As this is a live environment conveying wastewater and stormwater in a combined sewer, we are unable to work safely over the winter months when there is increased rain, increasing the volume of fluid in the sewer.

Stages 4 and 5 of relining are being planned for future years and will not be located in Alberon Reserve.