The Water Stimulus Work Programme, which has enabled infrastructure projects to be fast tracked in the district over the past two years, has exceeded expectations, with the original projects completed.
Elected members were updated with progress at the Central Otago District Council meeting today (Wednesday 6 July 2022).
In August 2020, Council approved a work programme of up to a $9.46 million. The due date for completion was 30 June 2022.
The Council was advised on 1 July that the Minister of Finance had extended this to December for those councils which had not completed their work stimulus work programmes, Central Otago District Council Executive Manager – Infrastructure Services Julie Muir, said.
“Of the original planned work, one project related to the Omakau water treatment upgrade had to be deferred due to environmental concerns relating to the proposed water source. Staff have gone back to the drawing board to identify wider options that will provide and enduring water supply to Omakau, which is able to meet the needs of growth within the constrained Manuherekia catchment. This project will be provided to the new water entity to progress. This should be a high priority for investment as it aligns with the highest priorities for the 2024 Asset Management Plan capital works programme.”
Work on the contingency work list was progressed to ensure that risk of late delivery on key components was mitigated, she said.
“We have been unable to provide an accurate updated cost to 30 June, as the contractors claims are still to be received. These will be processed within the next few days, with the final report to Crown Infrastructure Partners being submitted by 15 June.
“We are pleased, however, to advise that we have exceeded expectations, and the entire stimulus funding will be spent; the original projects are complete with only commissioning remaining on the Alexandra Reservoir, and Wrightsons pump station remaining. These projects will significantly improve the resilience of our water supplies, reduce the risk of wastewater overflows, and improve wastewater discharge quality and monitoring. It has taken a massive effort from our team and contractors to deliver the stimulus work on time, and to budget, while still delivering our other Council funded work programme; a big shout out to the team, the staff and contractors who made this happen.”
Significant progress had also been made on the contingency list, with wastewater screens installed at Ranfurly, Naseby and Roxburgh, influent and effluent monitoring installed at Alexandra and Omakau, and good progress on valves and flowmeters, Ms Muir said.
These projects would be funded from the stimulus fund up to the available budget, with the remaining coming from Long-term Plan budgets.
