Roadworks and road closures

Over the coming months we’ll be conducting smoke testing in Bunnythorpe as part of routine maintenance and investigation of our wastewater network.

Our contractor, Taonga Water, is carrying this out across the village from mid-August to October. We’ll provide more information here closer to the time.

Smoke testing locates faults or illegal connections hidden underground or in private properties

It involves blowing a non-toxic, artificial vapour into the underground wastewater pipes. The smoke may be seen coming out of vent pipes on buildings, manholes, or the ground where defects exist.

The smoke is non-toxic and not harmful to people, pets, or plants. It doesn’t leave any residue or odor and it won’t enter your home unless there is defective plumbing or dry drain traps.

Why are we doing this?

Smoke testing is a proactive way to help protect the environment, avoid costly overflows, reduce treatment costs, and keep everyone safe and healthy:

1. Reduces unwanted flows at our wastewater treatment plant
   Smoke testing helps detect where stormwater is entering the wastewater network – such as through cracked pipes, broken gully traps, illegal connections, or faulty manholes. When stormwater gets into the wastewater system (known as inflow and infiltration), it increases the volume of water that needs to be treated. This puts unnecessary pressure on the treatment plant, increases operating costs, and can reduce the plant’s effectiveness, especially during wet weather.
2. Reduces the risk of wastewater overflowing into our streets and waterways
   When the wastewater system becomes overwhelmed – often due to stormwater inflow – it can back up and overflow into streets, parks, or even your private properties. In worse cases, untreated wastewater can enter our streams and rivers. Identifying and fixing these issues early helps reduce the chance of these overflows occurring.
3. Identifies faults before they become bigger problems
   Smoke testing can uncover a range of hidden issues, including broken pipes, open joints, illegal connections, and deteriorating infrastructure. Catching these problems early means repairs can be made before they become more costly or cause damage.
4. Supports long-term network planning
   The information gathered from smoke testing helps us build a clearer picture of how the network is performing. This means we can better plan for upgrades, maintenance, and investment.

• We are at the tail end of the project where it requires the team to lay pipes across the lanes. This requires us to close lanes, dig trenches, lay pipe and close up/seal the trench.
• Once this work is done, we’ll reseal the road.
• Work will take place weekdays between 9-3pm. Please plan for delays during this time.
• Outside of these hours, the road will return to four lanes.

Construction to improve the “five dips” section of Kelvin Grove Road is planned to start this summer.

The work will focus on smoothing the five dips, widening the road, installing culverts or drains, and likely require extended road closures and detours.

Due to budget, we’ll be spreading the work across the next couple of summers. The first section this summer is from Stoney Creek Road to Garrick Lane. The remaining section from Garrick Lane to Henaghans Road will be completed later.

We are currently meeting with residents in the first section to discuss the project and any impact to their property. From later this year, we’ll reach out to residents from Garrick Lane to Henaghans Line to do the same.

We’ve approved a temporary traffic management plan to help manage traffic for the opening of the new Starbucks and Popeyes on the corner of Rangitikei Street, Tremaine Avenue and Matipo Street.

The plan will be in place for two weeks from 28 July, covering the openings of Popeyes (28 July) and Starbucks (11 August). It may be removed earlier if it’s no longer needed.

During this period:

• Entry and exit to both stores will be via Matipo Street only. The entrance on Tremaine Avenue will be closed.
• On-street parking on Matipo Street will be coned off and used as a stacking area for drive-thru customers.
• We encourage drivers to access the drive-thru stacking area on Matipo Street via Tremaine Avenue and Konini Street.

Footpaths, cycle lanes and access to properties will remain open, but please expect some delays and queues in the area.

Our water team are upgrading the watermain along Owen St, in Bunnythorpe.

We expect construction to by the end of October, weather permitting. Traffic management will be in place, but residents will always have access. Stop/Go will be in place on Ashhurst Road at the start of the project to repair a small section of road.

We are upgrading the wastewater system on part of Robert Line (from Richardsons Line to 787 Roberts Line). The project is part of our ongoing efforts to support city growth and improve the capacity of our wastewater system to manage increased flows.

Traffic management will be in place, which includes - 

• road closure 7am to 5pm on weekdays
• reduced speed limit afterhours
• detours in place

We expect to finish the project at the end of September.

We’re finalising designs to start the rebuild of a section of Stoney Creek Road later this year, from Kelvin Grove Road through to Whakarongo School. This work includes widening and future proofing the road.

Construction will be split into two stages:

• Stage 1 (summer 2025/2026): From Kelvin Grove Road to just past Hendersons Line
• Stage 2 (2026/2027): From Hendersons Line to Whakarongo School

Each stage is expected to involve full road closures and detours, which we will communicate ahead of time.

NZTA is responsible for state highways. Visit its website for information about the work it's doing. There's also a journey planner to help you plan your trip, including updates on delays, roadworks and road closures.