Budget for Auckland wastewater tunnel blows out

Budget for Auckland wastewater tunnel blows out
The 14.7km-long central interceptor will help to reduce wet-weather overflows into waterways in Auckland. (Image: Watercare)
Oliver Lewis
The budget for the largest wastewater project in New Zealand has shot up to more than $1.5 billion because of scope changes and high inflation.Auckland water services provider Watercare signed a contract in 2018 with a joint venture comprising construction companies Ghella and Abergeldie to build the 14.7km central interceptor.The project was originally costed at $1.2b.In an update on Tuesday evening, Watercare said the new $1.523b budget covered scope changes as well as an additional $204 million signed off by the Watercare board on Nov 7...

More Infrastructure

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades
Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades

Two of the biggest NZ ports are raising prices as they plan major investments.

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b
Infrastructure

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b

In 2020, the lower North Island expressway was costed at just $817m.

Oliver Lewis 01 Jul 2025
The keys to unlocking Northport's land value
Infrastructure

The keys to unlocking Northport's land value

MMH's land is valued at five times less than its next-door neighbour, Channel.

Ian Llewellyn 30 Jun 2025
Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment
Infrastructure

Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment

The Government’s backtrack on the food waste mandate undermines investor confidence.

Cécile Meier 30 Jun 2025