Eastern Hills Reservoir Project

There will be some noise and vibration impact from the construction works and associated vehicle movements.

While we are still in the early stages of design and planning, so do not yet have the detail, we can confirm that noise levels will be limited to comply with the requirements of NZS 6803:1999 ‘Acoustics – Construction Noise.

Usually as part of the consent process, a Noise and Vibration Monitoring Plan needs to be approved and the agreed requirements in the plan monitored throughout the duration of the works.

Typically working hours will be limited to 7am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am to 12.30pm Saturday. But these may be stipulated as part of the consent conditions. Approvals may also be granted for working outside of these hours factoring in the type of work proposed, the likely noise generated by the work and any resource consent limitations. 

The pipework from the reservoir down the hillside reservoir to Balgownie Grove will be underground. We are still in the early design and planning stages of the project so have yet to determine the methods of construction, but it could be open trenched, directionally drilled down the slope or a combination of both.

Likewise, it is yet to be determined whether the pipe crossing of Waiwhetu Stream will be above ground or below the stream bed. 

We will be working with contractor representatives, ecologists and landscape architects to confirm appropriate construction methodologies and mitigations to ensure impacts are minimised.

Public feedback is also an important part of this and will help inform our final design and construction methodology.

We are very aware that the firebreak track from the top of Summit Road is popular with walkers and cyclists. Safety is a top priority for Wellington Water and our contractors, so it will be necessary to close this portion of the track so we can complete the proposed works safely and efficiently. This would be for a two-to-three-year construction period. Public access will be reinstated on completion of the works. 

However, there are alternative access points to the ridge tracks via Judd Crescent, Seddon Street and Te Whiti Park and these will be highlighted on public signage in the area during the works.

Part of the consent application involves a recreation assessment which will consider these alternative routes in more detail.

The run-off pipe is provided to safely discharge any unplanned overflow from the reservoir should this occur due to control failure or other operational problem – which would be an infrequent occurrence.  The pipe will also be used when the reservoir is drained for planned maintenance, again an infrequent occurrence. 

On-site stormwater from the reservoir roof and surrounding platform will also be discharged via this pipeline – and any additional stormflow to Waiwhetu Stream will be relatively minor.  This will be specifically addressed through the resource consent process.

Safety is a top priority for Wellington Water and our contractors.  Traffic management plans will be prepared for the works and their implementation will be audited on a regular basis.  Speeding construction vehicles and other unsafe driving behaviours will not be tolerated.

Our focus is progressing the development for Hutt City Council. The Three Water reform process is being managed separately by Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and we are unable to comment on the outcome and impact that a future entity will have on Hutt City Council’s capital work programme.

The fact is that Lower Hutt needs additional reservoir storage to cater for growth and increasing demand for water, to reduce impacts on customers from network maintenance activity and repairs, as well as providing safe drinking water that is critical to community survival, service restoration, and recovery following a large earthquake.

As such, this work is a priority for Hutt City Council and is consistent with national objectives to provide safe, reliable drinking water services.

Hutt City Council has classified the Eastern Hills as a Significant Natural Area (SNA) with significant native vegetation and habitats. SNAs are protected under the Resource Management Act (RMA). This will be taken into account in our specialist assessments and planning applications.