Taupo Central Business District
A major upgrading of the central business district piped network will be undertaken over the next nine years. It will be required to cover the expected growth within the peripheral area of the CBD which is where the Taupo Town Structure plan is indicating growth might occur. The upgrade is also needed to provide the required level of service. Upgrading will occur in three separate areas.
Nukuhau, Spa, Waikato, Opepe
This is a major upgrade of the stormwater network to increase the service capacity of the mains.
In the existing area bounded by the roads Nukuhau, Spa, Waikato, and Opepe, the drainage capacity is insufficient and there are no connections to private property. Work will include laying additional and replacement lines, providing connections and upgrading inlet systems. This is programmed to start in 2007.
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To view the media release May, 2005 click HERE. Construction of a new relief storm water line across Norman Smith Street at Nukuhau is being programmed to cause as little disruption as possible to motorists and residents in the area...
Ruapehu East, West
This is a major upgrade of the stormwater network to increase the service capacity of the mains.
In the Tongariro Street, Titiraupenga Street area works will include laying additional and replacement lines, providing connections and upgrading inlet systems. In the 2004, 2005 year Council has allocated $100,000 for upgrading the stormwater network in Ruapehu Street East. A further $250,000 has been budgeted for 2006, 2007. Council has allocated $110,000 for upgrading the stormwater network in Ruapehu Street West in the 2005, 2006 financial year.
Titiraupenga, Kaimanawa
Although this area is not covered in the structure plan, an ancillary system is considered necessary given the current growth of Taupo town. The work is set down to start in 2010 and is expected to cost around $2.2 million . It is anticipated this project may go beyond 2013. Other ways of dealing with the increased stormwater runoff are through on site measures. However this incurs additional regulatory costs and in the absence of economic drivers it is considered more efficient to maximise coverage within the commercial zones.
Taupo Industrial Area
To be completed in 2009, the projected work to the industrial area is ancillary to the Central Business District. The project involves increasing soakage areas in the geothermally altered ground conditions in the Miro, Manuka, Matai streets industrial area. Large areas of impervious surface have on a number of occasions caused significant flooding on some low lying properties in the area. A total of $250,000 has been allocated in 2004, 2005 for renewal of pipes to cater for up to 50 percent runoff from private property. Taupo District Council may decide to place a large system in place, but this will depend whether commercial ratepayers are willing to pay for the, as yet undertermined, additional cost.
Stage One
An estimate of $250,000 has been projected and revised for the 2004, 2005 financial year, to commence construction of the system within the Miro Street and Totara Street industrial areas. Works include laying additional and duplicate lines, providing connections at low points of lots, and manholes. Expansion of existing detention pond facilities will also be required, and a stormwater treatment system.
Stormwater Catchment Management
There are three categories of projects associated with catchment management.
· stormwater catchments affected by street upgrades
· stormwater catchments affected by flooding
· stormwater catchments affected by development.
Street Upgrades
Street upgrades often affect the stormwater network reticulation and sometimes require additional capacity or relocation of mains. There is expenditure proposed in 2007, 2008 of $150,000 and in 2009 for $75,000.
Flooding
This work is made up of stormwater catchments that have recorded flooding events causing damage to private property. Estimates show that significant funding, up to a total of $1.95 million, is required. This is to be spread over a staged improvement program, but initial expenditure is as listed.
Henry Hill Road Catchment 2004, 2005 $65,000
Norman Smith Street Catchment 2004, 2005 $85,000 and 2005, 2006 $120,000.
Omori stormwater Pihanga Street 2004, 2005 $45,000 and 2005, 2006 $42,000.
Development
As a result of development, catchments are often impacted in terms of capacity and environmental outcomes. For example, two catchments are to have modifications carried out in a joint venture between Council and a developer. Taupo District Council’s project costs is estimated at $360,000, mostly in the 2005 year.
Taupo Foreshore Protection, Project Watershed
Project Watershed, "a whole of Waikato River catchment level of service and funding policy", came about partly as a result of the 1998 flooding, which showed the vulnerability of the lakeshore in some areas. Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council agreed that Lake Taupo should have works and services to mitigate against high lake levels. Although these levels may happen naturally, it is exacerbated by manipulation of river flows during the storing of potential flood waters downstream in Lake Taupo. This practice is used to reduce impact on the lower Waikato, however, it has been agreed that lake edge protection would only be undertaken where Taupo District Council public assets were likely to be put at risk. Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council are providing an Asset Management Plan for Project Watershed while allocation of funding for the three years ending 2005, 2006 and 2007 are being shared by EW and the Council to the tune of $100,000 each year.
The areas that have been identified as at risk are
- Motutere south end
- Kuratau Spit south end
- Taupo town west to the Waikato River entrance
For more detailed information go to the Shoreline Management Strategy Project Brief HERE ( 95 kb PDF ).
Main Arterial Inlet Improvements
This is effectively part of the overall stormwater treatment programme and with $20,000 allocated per year, is part of a 10 year project.
Mangakino Upgrades and Renewals
This five year project to be completed by 2011, costing $425,000, concentrates on three of the five main stormwater networks. The present system will not provide the proposed level of services in the long term plan and do not provide the statutory protection of a two year rainfall event. Presently there are a number of properties at risk should a large rainfall event occur in the area.
Stormwater Treatment Program
This programme consists of various types of stormwater improvement systems to be constructed to improve stormwater quality flowing, particularly in to Lake Taupo, its tributaries and the Waikato River. These systems may be as simple as a detention or soakage area set back in an appropriate location or to construct a concrete bunker device. Where land or space is not available or where it is deemed unsuitable another alternative would be to create ponds. Priority will be given to high risk or large catchments and weighting given to the receiving environment.
Turangi has been allocated $182,000 over the next three years.
Taupo has been allocated $210,000.
For more information about Stormwater click HERE.