Warkworth growth servicing pipeline

The latest

We have confirmed a solution for our planned growth pipeline through Warkworth’s town centre that keeps disruption to a minimum and has the support of local business association One Mahurangi. Our Board of Directors approved the recommendation from management at its meeting in December 2024.

While the full growth servicing pipeline will eventually run north and south to connect future developments to the new Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant, our team is prioritising the Elizabeth Street upgrade via temporary connection to existing infrastructure in Queen Street. This early connection to the Warkworth Street Pump Station is expected to be operational by December 2026—two years earlier than originally planned. The remaining sections will now be installed by December 2027 thanks to further efficiencies being identified.

Project overview

The growth servicing pipeline is an incredibly important piece of infrastructure that not only supports new housing north of the Mahurangi River but will significantly reduce the number of wet weather overflows into the river (and therefore the harbour). It will run from the Warkworth Showgrounds through the town centre and connect to the recently built Warkworth Street Pump Station. It is a critical piece in the puzzle of our $450m+ Warkworth wastewater scheme that completely overhauls how the community’s wastewater is transported and treated.

The works

We’ve split delivery of this pipeline into two stages so we can bring environmental benefits to the community sooner.

Stage 1 – underway now

In January, our crew began the early works needed to get Stage 1 moving.

• What are we doing? Installing a pipeline along Elizabeth Street using conventional trenching methods.

• What is the benefit? The pipeline will resolve the network bottleneck that has been contributing to wet weather overflows at the existing overflow point in the vicinity of Elizabeth Street.

When will it be finished? December 2026

Stage 2 - getting underway soon

• What are we doing? Installing the remaining sections of the pipeline both north and south of Elizabeth Street using various trenchless construction methods. We expect to start shaft construction before winter this year.

• What is the benefit? The pipeline will support new housing growth across northern Warkworth

• When will it be finished? Late 2027

What’s happening now?

Our contractor is preparing the work areas by locating and relocating existing utility services ahead of the main construction that will follow. This preparation helps make sure homes, businesses, and community services continue as normal once full construction begins.

Throughout February, you may notice localised traffic management around Elizabeth Street and nearby roads. Some construction tasks depend on the weather and need careful coordination with multiple utility providers, so timing may shift. To reduce disruption to businesses and customers, parts of this work will take place at night.

We appreciate your patience and kindly ask that you follow directions from traffic management staff and any site signage to keep everyone safe.

To help ease traffic around Kowhai Park, the motorhome dump station will be moved to Hamatana Road in Snells Beach. We’ll share more detail on timing as soon as the move is confirmed.

Our project team is currently finalising the construction programme. We’ll share the timelines and upcoming activities with you as soon as they are locked in.

Here’s what we’re doing now to reduce wastewater overflows

While we build the new growth-servicing pipeline, our teams are doing everything they can to reduce the risk of wastewater overflows.

We’re receiving bespoke weather forecasts for Warkworth, which helps us prepare ahead of heavy rain. When severe weather is expected, we temporarily switch off network pump stations upstream of Elizabeth Street and deploy sucker trucks to empty them. This reduces flow at the network bottleneck and lowers the chance of an overflow reaching the Mahurangi River.

These improvements are possible because of the new downstream infrastructure completed last year as part of the $450m programme for Warkworth and the SnellsAlgies communities.

Using sucker trucks worked well during rainfall over the Christmas and New Year period. However, until the final works are completed, extreme rainfall events might still result in overflows.

Upgrades to the existing network

Alongside the new pipeline, we’re also renewing parts of the existing wastewater network. Renewing these older pipes:

• extend their life by around 50 years

• reduce stormwater entering the network during heavy rain

• helps reduce the risk of wastewater overflows in Warkworth.

Before renewal works start, we need to carry out CCTV inspections of the pipes. These inspections help us to:

• understand existing pipe condition

• find blockages caused by debris or tree roots

• identify joints or connections needing attention

• choose the right renewal method.

This information helps us plan where pipe relining is needed. Over the coming months, we expect to inspect and reline around 3.5km of wastewater pipes.

Investigations will take place on the road, on berms, in reserves, and at times on private property. If we need to enter your property, we’ll let you know beforehand.

We’ll continue to work closely with local businesses and the wider community to minimise disruption. This includes giving you plenty of notice about upcoming changes and coordinating with our wider team to reduce impacts wherever we can. We’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Clck to view the full-sized map