Boyne introduced Karen Melville from Ghella Abergeldie JV and Peter Wilson from Watercare.
Karen and Peter proceeded to give us a well illustrated and detailed presentation on the $1.5 billion tunnelling project to get waste water from the central city down to the Mangere Treatment Station.
Planned for the last 20 years, consented in 2013 and commenced in 2019, the project is due to be finished by the end of 2026.
Karen & Peter stressed the community engagement being undertaken: managing stakeholders and working with neighbours being a major concern in the fulfilment of the contract.
On completion, using the three boring machines [Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, Domenica and Victoria], the tunnels will extend 14.7k. About 10k has already been excavated and lined.
The presentation included comments about the project’s work with communities and school children, environmental concerns and health and safety. Interesting snippets included feeding the 600 strong workforce and some of the 3.5 million year old fossils found during the tunnelling.
There was a lively question and answer session, concluding with an appreciative vote of thanks by David Bradshaw.