Updates on work to deliver new water supply, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure in Kingston.
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Kingston Three Waters Upgrades
Newsletter #7 | July 2025
Updates on work to deliver new water supply, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in Kingston.
Stormwater works progressing well
There’s been a real flurry of action taking place on Oxford Street over the last few months, as crews from Wilson Contractors have worked to install sections of the new large-diameter stormwater pipe underneath Oxford Street from the lakefront and south along the street.
Given the different work happening in multiple locations along Oxford Street, we’ve broken down what’s coming up into sections of the road either side of Kent Street below.
Work on the northern section of Oxford Street
On the section of Oxford Street between Kent Street and the lakefront, crews will continue working their way south from the lake, trenching, sheet piling, and installing the new stormwater pipe in short sections at a time to keep the construction site as small as possible.
While these works are undertaken, there will be short intervals of two or three days when there are loud noises and varying degrees of high and low frequency vibrations, as sheet piling involves driving sheets of material into the ground. Monitoring equipment has been installed on Oxford Street to ensure noise and vibrations do not exceed District Plan limits.
Access will be restricted for residents while these works are completed. While the main contractor is continuing to maintain residents’ access for vehicle crossings into properties where possible, there will be times when trenching needs to take place across a driveway and access may be restricted for limited periods (a few days).
The new large-diameter stormwater pipe and sheet piling either side.
Pedestrian access will always be maintained, and the main contractor will continue to be in contact with individual residents near any work site to provide further details and resolve any issues on site.
We expect installation of the pipe and the construction site to reach the intersection with Kent Street by mid-to-late July 2025, and we remain committed to completing works on the entirety of Oxford Street before the 2025 Christmas break.
Work on the southern section of Oxford Street
On the section of Oxford Street between Kent Street and the railway line, a site for future works here has been established and vegetation removal is now underway. Crews are also working to locate services in the area, and are now trenching and installing other services such as wastewater pipework, water mains, power ducting and communications ducting for the next few weeks.
When trenching across a vehicle crossing into a property for new services, this will be completed in a single day where possible to minimise disruption. But please note that access may be restricted at times during the day while the trench is open and services are being laid.
Work crossing under the railway tracks
As the future stormwater pipe will need to cross from Oxford Street and under the existing railway tracks in Kingston before connecting with the future Kingston Village subdivision, crews have been busy completing test pits to confirm groundwater levels and infiltration to firm up their plans to complete pipe installation here.
Next up, crews plan to locate services and begin shallow excavations next week, with deep drainage works to follow the week after.
Access to properties near the railway line on Oxford Street is likely to be affected during the deep drainage works, but safe parking areas will be provided nearby on Dorset Street.
We’d like to take a moment to share our thanks to Kingston Flyer Ltd (KFL), who have agreed with the main contractor on an alternative construction method to install services beneath the railway line. In turn, this has saved many weeks of extra work and costs too. Thanks again KFL!
Water treatment plant nearly complete
Work on the water treatment plant up Glen Nevis Station Road is on track, and commissioning and testing this new infrastructure will commence soon. The water treatment plant is now connected to the bore by a raw water rising main, and works will be underway within the next few months to re-establish the bore and supply water to the plant.
The new water reservoir on Glen Nevis Station Road where treated drinking water will be stored.
The water treatment facility houses UV disinfection equipment, which uses UV light to kill or inactivate bacterial and/or protozoa that may be present in untreated water.
What's happening with wastewater?
QLDC is currently working on the land tenure for the new wastewater treatment plant. Once resolved, we anticipate a programme of approximately 12 months to construct the treatment plant.
In the meantime, we’re about to start procuring the wastewater pump station, which is an integral part of the infrastructure required to support the future treatment plant.
If construction of the plant extends beyond completion of the first stage of the Kingston Village development, QLDC has agreed a temporary wastewater servicing plan which enables titles for the first 125 lots.
Stay safe near work sites
With plenty of work continuing in Kingston, it’s important to always consider the different construction sites around town and how to keep yourself, your children, and your pets safe!
Beware of open trenches: Trenches may remain open within work sites at times. These will be fenced off, but we ask parents to please be especially mindful of children in the area, as construction and machinery can often be fascinating drawcards for a young and growing mind! Please keep kids well away from protective fencing for their safety.
Noise: Construction noise should be expected between work hours of 7.30am and 6.30pm on weekdays. Machinery and certain
tasks that may create more noise will continue to be limited to between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
Vibration: Work to excavate parts of Oxford Street and the machinery required will continue to cause vibration in the area. This will be monitored on the boundaries of properties near where work is taking place and kept within limits enforced by QLDC’s District Plan.
Traffic: Temporary traffic management is in place on Oxford Street, and residents should be mindful of excavators and large trucks entering and exiting Oxford Street and Cambridge Street throughout the day. Please adhere to all temporary signage and speed limits within Kingston.
When can existing properties in Kingston connect to these services?
Council’s senior leadership staff have met regularly over the past six months to investigate further a servicing plan for the existing Kingston township. This is in the process of internal development and review before a decision on next steps, which will involve a report to Council on options.
At this stage, potential costs for connections for existing properties in Kingston’s township remain a concern. Once the plan has been reviewed and we have more clarity around next steps, we’ll share an update!
Got a question, or want to raise an issue?
If you experience an urgent issue as part of these works, please report it immediately to QLDC by phoning 03 441 0499.
General questions about this project can be emailed through to Kingston Community Association at threewatersupdates@kingstonca.org.nz. The Association will then work with QLDC to provide answers directly to those who have enquired, and the wider public where appropriate.
