MEDIA RELEASE

November 30, 2001

Harbour sewage levels to drop

The amount of sewage going into the Waitemata Harbour after heavy rain will be reduced soon, as Metrowater takes its CBD sewer separation project to the next stage.

Auckland City Council’s Works Committee Chairman Bill Christian says the project will have environmental benefits, reduce public health risks, and minimise disruption to Christmas shoppers.

“This is a technically difficult operation and Metrowater are to be congratulated on the progress they are making,” Mr Christian said.

“In some parts of the CBD, they will have to dig down seven metres to reach some of the old pipes, creating significant health and safety issues.”

The upper Queen St (Mayoral Drive to K Road) part of the operation is almost finished and the focus will now shift to Anzac Avenue (Short to Parliament Sts).

Mr Christian says Metrowater wants to minimise the disruption to Christmas shoppers and has discussed the best time to do the work with local businesses and residents.

“There are limited windows of opportunity to do this work and I am satisfied that Metrowater are doing their best to minimise disruption in the busy December period.

“No works will take place in Queen St between December 1 to 26, and all activities are being co-ordinated between Metrowater and Auckland City’s Traffic and Roading Services,” Mr Christian said.

“Much of the work will be done during January and Metrowater is synchronising work with other utilities to minimise disruption.”

The Lorne, Wakefield, Anzac and Wellesley Sts works will start after December 26 and road closures will take place only on weekends.

That work will be completed by March 31, 2002 and project information advertisements will appear in the New Zealand Herald at the start of each stage.

The final stage of the project on Hobson, Wellesley West and Albert Sts will start in March 2002 and finish in June 2002.

ENDS

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