Brownfield Stormwater Upgrades - Learning the Hard Way

In May 2005, Tauranga City suffered an extreme storm event that caused extensive flooding and damage. The recovery programme that followed involved upgrading existing stormwater drainage systems and retrofitting new ones in well established residential, commercial and industrial areas. It was not easy. In very short order, projects had to be prioritised, budgets had to be secured, easements had to be negotiated with property owners, consents had to be obtained, and the works often constructed under very difficult conditions. Mistakes were made and lessons were learned. But there were many successes too and the upgraded areas are now much safer places in which to live and work.

This paper has been prepared by Emcon New Zealand Ltd - the company appointed by Tauranga City Council to manage the recovery programme. The paper describes some of the situations that were encountered, how they were managed and the lessons that were learned. In each case, it offers suggestions on how to approach and implement brownfield upgrade projects and how to avoid many of the pitfalls waiting to trap the unwary.