10 December 2009

Work to start on new storm water treatment in Wigram

Work is soon to start on a new storm water treatment facility between the southern end of the former Wigram air base and Awatea Rd. The creation of a series of storm water basins will provide storm water management for future urban growth and improve storm water management for existing urban areas .

The Council has come to a mutually beneficial agreement with Ngai Tahu Property, the owners of the adjacent Wigram land. Ngai Tahu Property will excavate the basins and remove excess material from site. The Council will landscape the area and construct the facility that will treat storm water and reduce the risk of flooding. The site for the basins is owned by the Council.

Long-term, this will benefit the community by both improving the water quality and by reducing flood flows downstream. The basins will also provide a grassed open space for recreation with significant areas of native planting particularly along the river corridor.

Council’s work will start in January 2010,and should take approximately 18 months.

Christian Anderson, Council’s Unit Manager of Project Management says “The purpose of the project is to provide storm water management for existing developments and future urban growth in the South-West of Christchurch. The project will achieve the goals set out in the in the Council’s South West Area Plan, and is part of an Integrated Catchment Management Plan for this area.”

Ngai Tahu Property development manager Alan Grove says work excavating the basins will begin before the end of the year and the fill removed from the site will be re-used to raise levels in low lying areas of the proposed Wigram development..

“This will help ensure effective storm water drainage from the proposed development and allow for more efficient waste water reticulation.

“The effects of excavation and re-use of the fill will be carefully monitored to ensure a minimum amount of dust and noise pollution. Water will be used to dampen down dusty areas and the proposed contouring and filling of the site will be staged.’’

ENDS

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