Reclassification of recreation reserve in Kinloch

The Kinloch water scheme is split into three pressure zones. In the Kinloch low zone, there is only six hours of water storage currently available and as development continues this will fall to a worst-case scenario of four and a half hours.

Construction of the new reservoir will boost storage levels to 24 hours, improve water pressure and ensure there are adequate supplies in summer dry spells and for fire-fighting use.

The new reservoir would be a vital addition to Kinloch’s upgraded water supply system. It would be designed to work in tandem with the existing infrastructure, including the new water treatment plant, to ensure a more reliable and efficient water supply.

Connection to the existing reservoir

The new reservoir will be hydraulically connected to the current low-zone reservoir at Boojum Dell via the existing pipeline network. This setup allows water to be shared and balanced between both storage sites. Note the pumps at Boojum Dell, which supply water to the Whakaroa rural scheme, are not connected to or used by the new reservoir. Existing pumps on Locheagles Rise will be used by the new reservoir.

Relationship with the new water treatment plant

The new water treatment plant will feed treated water into the low zone network, which will in turn fill the new reservoir. The reservoir will act as a buffer, storing treated water and helping to maintain pressure and supply during periods of high demand. Additionally, water for the high zone will be pumped from the new reservoir via the existing Locheagles Rise pump station, creating an efficient, interconnected system that supports the entire Kinloch area.

After considering several possible sites, Locheagles Rise Reserve has been chosen as the most practical and cost-effective site for Kinloch’s long-term water storage needs. The proposed location reflects a balance of technical suitability, affordability and responsible use of public funds.

Key factors in the decision-making process for the reservoir site include:

• Proximity to existing infrastructure, which reduces construction costs and minimises disruption
• Elevation appropriate for serving low-lying residential areas, ensuring consistent water pressure
• Council-owned land, which avoids additional land acquisition and associated costs and delays

We’ve explored several possible locations for the new reservoir, including the higher end of Locheagles Rise and areas to the north and west of Kinloch.

The higher end of Locheagles Rise was considered, near where an existing reservoir is built. However, while it would be technically feasible, a reservoir in this location would cost more to build and the ongoing operational costs would be higher too. Additional pumping infrastructure would be needed along with a pressure-reducing system to safely deliver water to lower areas – this adds complexity and risk with the potential for over-pressurising downstream infrastructure, including private pipes within homes.

Sites to the north and west of Kinloch, outside of the Seven Oaks area (e.g. Lochridge or Hunt Club land), were also considered. However, building a reservoir on any of these sites would involve construction of approximately 3km of new pipes through mixed terrain, higher capital costs and greater residual risks due to land access and infrastructure complexity. By comparison, the proposed site for the new reservoir would need only about 500m of new pipes.

Land above the Kinloch Golf Course was the initial preferred location, but negotiations with the landowner for a suitable site have been unsuccessful.

Other sites not owned by Council were also considered, however these will not be pursued further.

The proposed reservoir would be built using concrete. During the design phase, we will present exterior treatment options to reduce the visual impact. Native planting will be included to help blend the structure into the landscape.

Right now, we’re specifically seeking feedback on the proposed reclassification of part of the reserve - not on the design of the reservoir itself.

We understand there may be concerns about the visual impact and environmental footprint of the reservoir. As part of the project, we’re committed to ensuring the reservoir blends into its surroundings, with design and planting plans that reflect the character of the area.

Some temporary disruption during construction is expected, but once complete, the reservoir will be a quiet, low-maintenance structure with minimal ongoing impact on nearby homes.

Locheagles Rise Reserve includes an assortment of native and exotic plants about 15-20 years of age, along with a mixture of self-seeded species- These are not deemed as significant native vegetation. While some plants would be lost during construction, those plants that are impacted are well represented across the rest of the reserve. We will develop a planting plan to visually integrate the reservoir into its surroundings and preserve the character of the area. Further ecological studies - including bird life - will also be undertaken.

We'll be talking to the local community about the design aspects of the reservoir during the project design and planning phase.

Access to the reservoir would be from the south side of the property on Locheagles Rise, between Peregrine Place and Sparrowhawk Way.

During the construction phase, when traffic movements in the area will increase, a temporary traffic management plan will be implemented to minimise disruption and ensure it's safe for all road users.

Once constructed, the reservoir has very low maintenance requirements. The structure itself will have a 100-year design life with the replacement of joint seals and possibly roofing membranes the only likely actions during this time. The site will be visited weekly by the operations team for security and water safety checks.

We're not expecting that any lighting would be needed at the reservoir site.

While this part of the process is on reclassifying the reserve area, preliminary estimates suggest the reservoir would be approximately 15m x 30m, 5.5m tall, and hold a working volume of 2,000m³ of water. The top level of the tank could align with the elevation of the adjacent parking area; however, there may be an opportunity to reduce the height by increasing the footprint, depending on site constraints and design considerations.

Should the reserve reclassification go ahead, the final size and positioning of the reservoir will be confirmed following further investigation and detailed design development.

Development timelines are not yet confirmed, as they depend on the outcome of the reclassification process.

If the proposed site and reclassification goes ahead, we would then go move to detailed design and tendering the reservoir construction.

We will continue to keep the community informed and engaged throughout the process.