Flooding in Inner Kaiti will be minimised

The streets of Inner Kaiti are less likely to flood when an upgrade of the stormwater pipes in this area is completed before Christmas.  Council contractors are upgrading the stormwater system in Harris Street, Coleman Road, Tukura Road, Gardner Place and parts of Iranui Road. Open drains will be upsized or upgraded to piped drains and the pipes that currently cut through private property will be rerouted through council road reserve.

The need for this work was highlighted by a catchment study in 2006 by Opus consultants which included a survey of residents. After the upgrade is completed, the flooding and ponding that these streets have experienced after a period of heavy rain, will be minimised. Mayor Meng Foon is very supportive of this work. "It is core to improving water flows around this area that has had problems in the past."

Most of the street trees in the area will be unaffected and protected during the project works.   The location of power, gas phone lines and street trees were taken into account when deciding where to put the stormwater pipes. However, because of costs and the inability to move some stormwater pipes, four of the fifty street trees will need to be removed. Some of these trees are getting close to the end of their life expectancy due to old age. All trees removed will be replaced.

Other trees are at risk because of their close proximity to the construction works. These trees will be pruned back and fenced off and contractors will make every effort to protect them.

Mark Randall, Director of ArborCare Tree Company has been through the area with council staff to advise on which trees should be removed.  "The trees to be removed cannot be saved due to the requirements of the stormwater design. Irreparable damage would occur to their root systems that would also leave them unstable and a threat to public safety and property". 

"The involvement of council's community facilities department and arborists well before the project starts has enabled alterations to the design of the pipeline route and protection of most of the trees. A number of trees that would have been scheduled for removal can now be retained.  The actual tree work will commence this week and only take a couple of days. The erection and moving of the protective fencing will take place throughout the 3 month duration of the project."