Changes to the Way Stormwater Maintenance is Being Delivered in Auckland

Since the amalgamation of the Auckland Council’s in 2010 and the separation of stormwater management from potable water and wastewater, much has changed in the way stormwater maintenance is now being delivered across the region. 

While some may have questioned the loss of the obvious synergies with wastewater it has created a range of new opportunities. Removing the artificial interface between the catchpit and downstream network has meant that the ownership and response to flood events couldn’t be any more straightforward.

For a multi-disciplined service provider like Downer, who commenced in the Central Auckland area (formerly Metrowater) on 1st July 2013 it inspired the creation of a virtual delivery team under a dedicated Contract Manager. The approach has already proved to be very successful and resulted in higher productivity and resource utilisation than one could expect from a more traditional approach.

Other benefits have included greater access to a higher level of expertise across the business which has resulted in some very innovative thinking. For example, traditional work methodologies are being challenged and activities such as confined space entry eliminated. In another example watercourse maintenance has been minimised through rehabilitation solutions.

Ultimately Council and the ratepayers benefit from the improved customer service, service delivery and cost efficiencies.