Stormwater separator in Tūrangi

Project updates

22 August 2025: Work on stormwater device installation resumse

The team in Tūrangi are back on the tools installing a high-tech piece of stormwater infrastructure in Te Rangitautahanga Road.

The in-ground device – known as a Vortceptor - removes contaminants and debris from stormwater before it enters local waterways and ultimately, Lake Taupō. The Tūrangi Vortceptor joins 12 other similar devices across the district and will be virtually invisible once installed.

Council’s stormwater asset manager Phil Burt says the installation of the Vortceptor had to be paused earlier this month while the team worked around difficult ground conditions.

“We’ve had some very hard ground to deal with and have had to pump out a lot of ground water, but we’re back on track now," Phil says. "The Vortceptor prevents contaminants from being washed into the storm drains by rainfall and we’re looking forward to this piece of infrastructure making a real difference to the stormwater that goes into the Hīrangi Stream."

Tūrangi Co-Governance Committee Co-Chair Te Wharau Walker Jr says it’s great to see the project back on track. “We know the delay has been inconvenient for our whānau, so it’s good to see the mahi moving forward again. What matters most is getting it done right, because in the long run this mahi will help protect the health of our taonga, the Hīrangi Stream.”

Thanks to everyone for their patience – we’re hoping to have this project wrapped up by the end of September.