Ruakaka South Sewerage Scheme: Governance and Community Engagement Key to Project Challenges and Success

In May 2013 Whangarei District Council completed a $9.5M pressure sewer system project to replace septic tanks on approximately 470 properties and a 2,000 person campground in Ruakaka South. The project was the culmination of many years of work by the community and Council, to firstly get the project initiated and then make it as affordable as possible by making use of the Ministry of Health Sanitary Sewer Subsidy and using innovative technology and contractual models.

The project initially faced challenges brought about by a compressed timeframe, due to delays in the provision of the Ministry of Health subsidy after the Christchurch earthquakes, getting community buy in, with a high price tag, working in an area of high historical significance, and managing the many interfaces the community had with the District Council and Contractor through various project roles. 

This paper discusses the challenges the project team faced in implementing the project and identifies how these were met. This includes the setting up a joint community communication and engagement plan, a project governance group and consideration of contractual models at the onset of the project. The project was a great success as it was completed on time and in budget, and achieved a 99 percent property connection rate.