Stormwater system to reduce flooding at Foxton Cemetery

Work on a new stormwater system to reduce the risk of flooding in Foxton Cemetery is expected to begin at the end of April.

Council is installing the system following public concern about flooding in low-lying areas of the cemetery, particularly around the ashes wall and the cemetery entrance, during periods of heavy rain in 2017.

Horowhenua District Council’s Parks and Property Project Lead, Zane Bull, said it was a complex project due to the high water table and the sensitive nature of the cemetery.

“We understand the need for this work to be completed as respectfully as possible for people whose loved ones are buried in Foxton Cemetery. The design phase of the project took this into account, and we have selected a less intrusive option,” he said.

The new stormwater system will use directional drilling to pipe water from low-lying areas of the cemetery, such as the ashes wall and entrance, to a catchment area on Council-owned land at the rear of the cemetery.

Mr Bull said the contractor that will carry out the work specialises in directional drilling and has extensive experience in this field.

The solution is the culmination of a sustained effort by Council to address the cemetery’s flooding problem.

“When the problem arose, Council initially carried out works to reduce the impact of further rainfall, but we recognised that a long-term solution was needed,” Mr Bull said.

However, a tender calling for contractors to carry out work on the stormwater system in February this year received no expressions of interest.

Council then sought negotiations with the specialist contractor.

“We’re delighted to bring a specialist on board to achieve a permanent solution to the cemetery’s flooding problem. This is something Council has been working hard to achieve.”

A blessing will be performed before the work begins.

Installation is expected to be complete by June 2018.

ENDS

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