Rising to the challenge : managing Mapua Rabbit Island's sewer rising main upgrade

• How would you construct a new sewer pipeline in a popular tourist area?
• How about near archaeological and culturally sensitive sites?
• Or next to an area of significant natural interest?
• How would you manage having to overcome all of the above?

This paper outlines one of Tasman District Council’s major wastewater infrastructure upgrades, highlights key challenges and demonstrates how a rigorous consultation process was critical for a successful outcome.

Rabbit Island near Mapua is used for a wide range of activities including forestry logging, mountain biking, orienteering and other sporting interests. The new 8.5km sewer rising main pipeline traverses the Island’s beach access, a prime destination for locals and tourists, and the estuary areas which are popular for boating and watersports. Part of the pipeline runs next to an area of significant natural interest containing rare plant species.

The Island also has a history of archaeological and cultural sites and a Maikete (a Māori site-seer) was required to perform a cultural audit of the proposed route to identify sensitive areas requiring an iwi monitor.

The paper will discuss the many complicating factors and challenges which required careful consideration and clever solutions during the project.