Major wastewater upgrade underway in Pukekohe, with temporary parking changes from Monday

From Monday, 29 June, approximately 50 street car parks near Pukekohe Train Station will be temporarily unavailable to enable installation of a new wastewater pipeline, part of a major upgrade to reduce overflows and unlock capacity for around 12,900 homes.

The new four-kilometre pipeline - sections of which will be installed near the train station on Station Road - is part of a $98.2 million programme that also includes construction of a larger wastewater pump station on Isabella Drive.

This work is being delivered alongside the $17 million Jutland Road wastewater diversion project, currently underway on Ward Street. Together, these projects will improve network performance, reduce the risk of overflows, and create capacity for future growth in Pukekohe.

Franklin ward councillor Andy Baker says Pukekohe is a fast-growing community, with around 50,000 people expected to move into the area over the next 20 years.

“These projects are the first in a series of interdependent upgrades needed to fully support existing communities and future growth in the Pukekohe and Paerata area.

“The new pump station on Isabella Drive will replace both the existing Isabella and Cape Hill wastewater pump stations, while also relieving pressure on the Te Paea and Franklin pump stations.”

Watercare project manager Stephan Morkel says Pukekohe North pump station will have a capacity of 480 litres per second, significantly increasing the network’s ability to manage higher volumes of wastewater.

“The programme reflects Watercare’s core focus on improving infrastructure delivery through stronger planning, smarter execution and better systems.

"The project will also consolidate emergency overflow management by creating a single, engineered overflow point for the new pump station.

“This will remove two existing overflow points that currently discharge into the local stormwater network and intermittently into a nearby stream, improving environmental outcomes.

“Site establishment is now complete, and crews have begun early works to prepare for the next major stage of construction."

The wastewater pump station and four-kilometre pipeline are expected to be completed by early 2028.

What’s happening next?

Morkel says at the end of this month contractor Fulton Hogan will begin installing the first section of the new wastewater pipeline outside the Pukekohe Train Station.

“Works to install the first section will take place across two sites along Station Road.

“The first site will be outside Pukekohe Train Station, where the pipeline will be installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD), a trenchless method for installing underground utilities without digging a full open trench.

“The second work site will be set up south of Subway Road and will use open trenching.

“This means the team will close a section of the road, dig a trench, install the new pipeline, then reinstate the worksite before moving on to the next section.”

Morkel says due to the disruptive nature of this work, a partial road closure will be in place at the second work site. Traffic management will be in place, with access maintained for residents only.

“Unfortunately, to kick off this stage of the works, approximately 50 car parks will temporarily be unavailable from Monday, June 29.

"Alternative parking will be available Monday to Friday at the Pukekohe Showgrounds. Due to the partial road closure on Station Road, access to the alternative parking will only be accessible from Subway Road and the northern end of Station Road.

“We understand this work will have an impact on the community, and we appreciate people’s patience while we carry it out. We will continue to communicate any changes as the project progresses.”

For more information, please see the map below: