One of Waipā’s largest ever construction programmes at the heart of Cambridge’s primary industrial growth area received the blessing of mana whenua on Friday.
Representatives from Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Korokī Kahukura led karakia at Allwill Drive, Hautapu, before work began today.
Hautapu based contractor Camex Civil will build a 2.3-hectare stormwater basin and associated swales between now and December.
The basin is designed to capture stormwater runoff from the existing Hautapu industrial area and from the future development areas that will eventually surround it. Once built, stormwater will flow through the swales into the basin. It then soaks into the ground naturally rather than running off and causing flooding elsewhere.
When construction is complete, the basin will be planted out in native trees and shrubs, creating a green space with lasting ecological value for the area.
Waipā District Mayor Mike Pettit was pleased to see work begin at what he called the gold at the centre of the golden triangle that linked Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. The golden triangle has more than half of New Zealand’s population, generates more than half of New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product, and manages a significant portion of national freight.
“Hautapu is becoming Cambridge’s primary industrial growth area, and infrastructure needs to be ready before development accelerates,” Pettit said.
The stormwater project is the first of the Hautapu Infrastructure Programme’s coordinated package of six projects delivering the roads, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needed to support Cambridge’s next phase of industrial growth.
The Council is investing more than $100 million in the Hautapu Infrastructure Programme, largely funded by development contributions.
