01 April 2019
Attention: Robby
Email:
[FYI request #9932 email]
Dear Robby
CENTRAL INTERCEPTOR ENHANCEMENTS
Auckland Council has forwarded your request for information dated 26 March 2019 to Watercare Services
Limited (Watercare) for response, received by Watercare on 26 March 2019.
We outline your request below and our response is provide in italics:
A.
Has Watercare allowed for the entire Western Water Quality Improvement Programme
within the Central Interceptor estimated cost?
The entire cost of the Project is not included in the Central Interceptor estimate cost. This is
further discussed in point B below.
To provide an overview, the Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Project (the Project)
is a joint initiative between Watercare and Auckland Council (Healthy Waters). The Auckland
Council Environment and Community Committee at their 17 October 2017 meeting endorsed the
Project (refer attachment A – Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Report file No:
CP2017/21525 and attachment B – Environment and Community Committee open
minutes). The Project is aimed at reducing wet weather overflows and improving the receiving
environment, by reducing some 219 overflow locations that spill between 2 to <52 times/year. At
the completion of the Project, including the Central Interceptor, this will reduce to 10 locations
spilling between 2 – 6 times/year. This will be achieved by constructing a main 4.5m diameter
tunnel from the Mangere Treatment Plant to Western Springs, an extension of the tunnel to Grey
Lynn and other wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will be constructed.
B.
If Watercare has not allowed for the entire Western Water Quality Improvement
Programme within the Central Interceptor estimated cost, where is the balance budgeted?
The Project was included in and approved within the Councils 2018 – 2028 Long-term plan
(LTP). The wastewater portion, including the Central Interceptor, the Grey Lynn tunnel and local
wastewater improvement works will be funded from within Watercare’s capital investment
programme and included within its Asset Management Plan. The stormwater improvement
works, will be funded from within the Auckland Council’s Water Quality Targeted Rate.
C.
Please provide any reports, memorandums, meeting minutes that describe what aspects
of the Western Water Quality Improvement Programme has been allowed for with the
Central Interceptor cost estimate.
The works that may be incorporated within the Central Interceptor works as part of the Western
Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Programme are being defined and scoped over the next 24
months. However, specific cost allowance for these works cannot be provided, as making the
information available would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the
3735320
person who supplied the information (i.e. the GAH and the other bidders): section 7(2)(b)(ii); and
further, the information that has been withheld is confidential, making it available would be likely
to prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same source (i.e. tender
information from future bidders on Watercare projects, or from the present bidders), and it is in
the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied: section 7(2)(c)(i).
Watercare is satisfied, under section 7(1) of the LGOIMA that withholding this information is not
outweighed by other considerations which make it desirable, in the public interest, to make the
information available. This is particularly the case given the total cost of the project has been
made public.
D.
Please provide any reports, papers, memorandums, budget costing or other similar
summaries that detail what digital innovations are planned for Central Interceptor.
There are no specified programmes of work at this time, and any innovation project will need to
be subject to a business case.
E.
How has Watercare evaluated the value for money of these digital innovations
enhancements?
No projects have been identified at this stage. Refer point D above.
F.
Please provide any reports, papers, memorandums, budget costing or other similar
summaries that detail what customer experience enhancements are planned for Central
Interceptor.
The community enhancement identified to date include:
At the completion of all works, there will be a marked reduction in wastewater overflows
helping to create better quality aquatic habitats and community environments.
Watercare has worked with the community to develop the Waititiko Meola Stream
Enhancement Plan (refer attachment C – Meola Creek Enhancement Plan). Through this
plan Watercare will commit to undertake a range of ecological enhancements, weed and
pest control within the Meola Stream Catchment to offset the loss of vegetation in Roy
Clements Treeway.
Two for one tree planting for trees removed in parks - The resource consent requires
Watercare, through the open space and restoration plans.
G.
How has Watercare evaluated the value for money of these customer experience
enhancements
Wet weather overflows are a nuisance and reducing these overflows not only provides for
better environmental outcomes, including the reduction of human wastewater discharging
into waterways. The residents of Auckland have valued this by providing support of the
programme through the LTP process and endorsement of the water quality targeted rate.
Tree planting is a sustainable environmental outcome as required by consents.
Yours sincerely
Anin Nama
Manager Improvement Programme
2
