We want to do it right together, so our city will get better by the day and we can leave a legacy we can all be proud of.
What we will focus on:
- We'll protect and restore our natural gully network and the biodiversity of Hamilton Kirikiriroa to increase how green our city is, making it healthier and stronger.
- We’ll reduce the carbon footprint of Hamilton Kirikiriroa and build a city that is resilient to the effects of climate change.
- We’ll mitigate the impact of the city on health and wellbeing of the Waikato River and Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake).
- We’ll encourage and enable alternative ways to move safely and quickly around our city.
- We'll plan our future as a sustainable city – balancing the natural and built environments so they can live in harmony.
Council’s total operating budget for 2024/25 is $445.8 million. The operating costs to deliver Priority 5 are $116 million.
*The $445.8 million operating budget excludes $8.3 million in support unit costs that are not allocated to any specific priority.
Here are the projects we’re proposing to do for Priority 5 over the next 10 years, and what our everyday costs in 2024/25 will be. You can also see the projects we’re proposing not to fund in the Long-Term Plan.
Funded – unless otherwise stated these figures have not been adjusted for inflation
Project |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost (000s) |
| Rototuna, Rotokauri and Peacocke | As we enable new neighbourhoods in greenfield areas, we’re delivering infrastructure that creates resilient communities. Our work will include nature-based solutions and future-proof stormwater networks like the Rotokauri Greenway to manage the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. We’re also increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in new development areas, to keep up with the demand of our growing city and protect the health and wellbeing of our waterways and the Waikato River. | $143,559 |
| Central City | Hamilton's central city and surrounding area is expected to grow by around 4,000 homes, housing up to 10,800 residents by 2035. To make sure our waters infrastructure can cater for this growth, projects under priority five for the central city include increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in the central city. Upgrading the Ruakiwi pump station and updating our central city integrated catchment management plan are some of the projects that will contribute to this. | $130,550 |
| Stormwater management |
Our stormwater management plan for the 2024 - 2034 long term plan includes the creation of a wetland in Frankton that will help to reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes. The plan also incorporates upgrades and maintenance for the city's existing stormwater system, as well as making provision for expected growth. | $82,989 |
| Erosion control | This funding will allow us to mitigate erosion in our gully systems, in particular, Waitawhiriwhiri Gully. Erosion happens over time due to a combination of high intensity rainfall, soil types and steep gully topography. Erosion can be slowed or stopped through manmade structures such as culverts, or natural features such as planting where the root systems are used to strengthen the bank and prevent erosion naturally. | $23,688 |
| Flood management | Council has an ongoing programme to understand what would happen in areas of Hamilton if we had a very large, and rare, amount of rain. This data will be used by Council to inform development and consenting and for Council to be able to appropriately maintain the stormwater network. | $11,639 |
| Integrated Catchment Management Plan programme |
An Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) is a plan that helps us plan and manage the Hamilton stormwater system. In the 2024 - 2034 long term plan we plan to create a wetland in Frankton that will help to reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes. | $14,088 |
| Pukete Wastewater Upgrade | This project will provide funding for the upgrade of the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant, which services over 50,000 households and 4000 commercial and industrial premises. The upgraded plant will provide for the quality, capacity, and security of Hamilton's wastewater treatment for the next 30 years. | $409,938 |
| Citywide wastewater |
This programme makes sure that our city's wastewater system is up to standard. it includes projects like the Collins Road wastewater pump station upgrade, wastewater network system upgrades and expansions to maintain levels of service and improve sustainability, and upgrades to the eastern interceptor wastewater main. It also contributes to a shared project with surrounding councils to construct a sub-regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and related costs. | $239,956 |
| Citywide water supply |
To keep up with our city's growing water demands, our citywide water supply programme includes upgrading the Waiora treatment plant, the Fairfield and Maeroa pump stations, and our Eastern Reservoirs. It also includes upgrading and expanding our existing water network. | $248,413 |
| Renewals - landfill site management (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $15,112 |
| Renewals - stormwater (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $100,136 |
| Renewals - wastewater (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $385,651 |
| Renewals - water supply (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $169,332 |
Unfunded
Programme |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost |
| Reconfiguration of Refuse Transfer Station | The existing Lincoln Street transfer station needs to be reconfigured to optimise productivity and reduce health and safety issues. This will enable additional waste products to be separated and recovered as opposed to going straight to landfill e.g. construction & demolition waste. Will ensure consistency with the outcomes of the Waste Management and Minimisation Strategy, and the NZ Waste Strategy. |
$2,051 |
| Refuse drop off points | The Renewals and Compliance programme’s purpose is to look after what we have through timely replacement of existing assets and adherence to necessary standards to continue providing services to our community. | $3,125 |
| Refuse Transfer Station and Hamilton Organics Centre asset renewals | The Renewals and Compliance programme’s purpose is to look after what we have through timely replacement of existing assets and adherence to necessary standards to continue providing services to our community. | $4,938 |
| Resource Recovery Park | Council has obligations under its Waste Minimisation Plan to facilitate resource recovery and this project would be to either address a new site in the north of the city or a complete reconfiguration of the current Wickham Street Organic Centre to allow for a full construction and demolition material recovery. | $8,479 |
| Citywide Flood Control - Residual Programme | Citywide programme to reduce flood risk and maintain agreed levels of service which include performance targets around number of dwellings impacted in flood events. | $25,739 |
| Mangaonua - Catchment Erosion control | Erosion control is a requirement of Council’s comprehensive stormwater discharge consent. This funding will support localised erosion control works in the Mangaonua catchment. | $526 |
| Peacocke Developer Upsize Programme | There will be a need for budgets to enable efficient provision for making roads and pipes the right size for wider development as subdivision progresses. In the first few years, the current minor arterial projects provide for most developer connections. The proposal includes a low level of funding initially, increasing once development progresses to the areas not directly serviced after HIF projects are complete. | $27,563 |
| R2 Stormwater Infrastructure | Funding to contribute toward upsizing stormwater infrastructure at the time of the R2 greenfield development. Timing dependent on development. | $2,596 |
| Rotokauri Stormwater Upsize Programme | Budget required to work with developer to upsize Stormwater system near Brymer Road. | $16,694 |
| Safer Networks CAPEX Programme | Programme to install “real-time” network monitoring across the stormwater network to identify contamination events early, improve responses and reduce downstream environmental impacts. Aligns with transport operational budget for resourcing, sampling etc. |
$1,038 |
| Strategic Network Upgrades - Tristram Street Pipe Upgrade | Project to address multiple stormwater network issues (including inundation of private priority and lifeline roading corridors (Anglesea and Tristram St) in the southern CBD area. First two years is design and investigation. Construction should be programmed to align with transport programme. | $55,138 |
| Strategic Network Upgrades - Victoria Street Trunk Pipe Upgrade | Project to address stormwater network issues in the vicinity of Victoria Street and Abbotsford Street. First 2 years is design and investigation. Construction should be programmed to align with transport programme. |
$16,507 |
| Te Rapa North Stormwater Upsize Programme | Budget to work with developer to ensure stormwater infrastructure is sized to manage contributing catchment and address existing downstream erosion issues. Timing is aligned with assumed development uptake. | $14,630 |
| Anglesea Street Wastewater Interceptor - Upper Section | Project is to construct new gravity and pumped wastewater network along Anglesea Street. Council has prioritised funding the strategic network investments to service intensification of the Stage 1 area through Plan Change 12 and the proposed connection approval process. This investment is needed provide for prioritised growth and to support regulatory compliance (including with Te Ture Whaimana), reduce risks of enforcement action, and improve system resiliency. Investigations and detailed design have commenced and are being delivered through IAF – Wastewater Investigations project. Construction should be programmed to align with transport programme. | $18,704 |
| CBD Wastewater Side Trunk Main Upgrades | Project is to upgrade trunk mains within the CBD to provide for growth and to connect to the upgraded Anglesea Wastewater Interceptor. Council has prioritised funding the strategic network investments to service intensification of the Stage 1 area through PC12 and the proposed connection approval process. This investment is needed to provide for prioritised growth and to support regulatory compliance (including with Te Ture Whaimana), reduce risks of enforcement action, and improve system resiliency. Investigations and detailed design have commenced and are being delivered through IAF – Wastewater Investigations project. Construction should be programmed to align with transport programme and Anglesea Wastewater Interceptor upgrade. |
$10,613 |
| Enderley/5th Ave Wastewater Trunk Main Diversion | Trunk wastewater network diversion to resolve existing network performance issues, support regulatory compliance (including with Te Ture Whaimana), and provide for future growth. | $5,051 |
| Enderley Trunk Main Upgrade | Funding for wastewater trunk pipeline upgrade to support growth and development in the Enderley/Fairfield Area. Year 3 is investigation and design, moving into procurement and construction from Year 4. | $7,131 |
| Gwynne Wastewater Pump Station new | Project is to relocate and upgrade the Gwynne Wastewater Pumpstation and rising main to discharge into the Central Interceptor. This upgrade is a medium-term solution to provide capacity for intensification in the Central City/Stage 1 development area. Council has prioritised funding the strategic network investments to service intensification of the Stage 1 area through Plan Change 12 and the proposed connection approval process. This investment is needed to provide for prioritised growth and to support regulatory compliance (including with Te Ture Whaimana), reduce risks of enforcement action, and improve system resiliency. Investigations and detailed design have commenced and are being delivered through IAF – Wastewater Investigations project. Project timing is reliant on the Seddon Wastewater Pump Station diversion occurring. |
$30,656 |
| Ohaupo Road Urbanisation | As development progresses south of the new roundabout, there will be an increasing need for urban road connectivity to support walking and cycling safely. The key driver for this activity is for gravity wastewater connections. The timing of transport need depends on the Southern Links state highway implementation. In the short/medium term, transport may be provided for through the local network in the current Peacocke subdivisions but wastewater is likely to be required earlier. | $236 |
| Peacocke Developer Upsize Programme | There will be a need for budgets to enable efficient provision for making roads and pipes the right size for wider development as subdivision progresses. In the first few years, the current minor arterial projects provide for most developer connections. The proposal includes a low level of funding initially, increasing once development progresses to the areas not directly serviced after HIF projects are complete. | $16,377 |
| R2 Wastewater Infrastructure | Funding to contribute toward upsizing wastewater interceptor extension at the time of the R2 greenfield development. Timing dependent on development. | $6,759 |
| Ranfurly Wastewater Pumpstation/ Pipe Upgrades | May not be required if Ranfurly Gully Wastewater Pipe realignment is funded. | $485 |
| Rotokauri Wastewater Upsize Programme | Funding allowance for a wastewater pump upsize in year two to work with developer. Budget required to work with Developers in the Rotokauri Rise area. This upsize programme will ensure wastewater pipes delivered by developers have sufficient size to allow for upstream development. | $12,624 |
| Seddon Wastewater Pump Station diversion to Western Interceptor | Project to upgrade and divert Seddon Wastewater Pump station to available capacity at the Western Interceptor. This is a medium-term solution to relieve pressure on the existing central interceptor and provide capacity for intensification in the Central City/Stage 1 development area. Council has prioritised funding the strategic network investments to service intensification of the Stage 1 area through Plan Change 12 and the proposed connection approval process. This investment is needed to provide for prioritised growth and to support regulatory compliance (including with Te Ture Whaimana), reduce risks of enforcement action, and improve system resiliency. Investigations and detailed design have commenced and are being delivered through IAF – Wastewater Investigations project. Year 2 is to complete planning and procurement with construction commencing in Year 3. |
$6,561 |
| Southern Wastewater Diversions | Pump station diversion and new conveyance system to divert initial southern areas of Hamilton to the new Southern Wastewater Treatment Plant. | $26,650 |
| Subregional Wastewater Treatment Plant-HCC Share-Land | The project is to deliver a new sub-regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet the current and future needs of areas south of Hamilton, and the southern parts of Hamilton city. Site selection investigations have commenced. This project, alongside the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade, is critical to the medium and long-term wastewater servicing of the Metro area. The southern plant is a key element of the approved Southern Metro Wastewater detailed business case, developed in partnership with Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council, Iwi and Manawhenua. Year 1 and 2 is to complete planning and design. A provision is included to secure land required for the Wastewater Treatment Plant or discharge. Year 3 – 5 to construct Stage 1 of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the discharge, and to undertake environmental restoration works. Years 7 -8 to construct Stage 2 of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. | $5,460 |
| Te Kowhai/Rotokauri Arterial New Build | Budget to work with developers (if possible) to build the remaining section of north-south arterial from the Hounsell property boundary to the designated east west arterial, and to build the eastern section of the east west arterial to connect with the Arthur Porter Drive project. | $88 |
| Te Rapa North Wastewater Upsize Programme | Budget to work with developers to upsize the trunk wastewater pump station and rising main to allow for upstream development. | $2,926 |
| Wastewater treatment plant compliance | The Renewals and Compliance programme’s purpose is to look after what we have through timely replacement of existing assets and adherence to necessary standards to continue providing services to our community. | $43,156 |
| 2nd Water Treatment Plant - Land Purchase | Strategic Land purchase to locate 2nd Water Treatment Plant. | $6,130 |
| Automation of Strategic Bulk Ring Main Valves | Programme to commence automation of key isolation valves on the bulk ring main network. Includes motorised valves that can be monitored and operated remotely. Will vastly improve ability to respond to water supply network breaks and emergencies, and reduce time needed for critical works to be completed. | $1,339 |
| Brownfield watermain upsizing to meet infill growth | Budget to fund reactive local infrastructure upgrades outside of the Stage 1 priority development area. Programme is to provide a dedicated programme of work that will attract appropriately skilled and resourced contractors to be available to upgrade local infrastructure to comply with our design standards and enable growth. This programme will require a clear procurement and delivery strategy involving multiple certified and approved contractors. Years 1 and 2 is to investigate and establish the overall programme, procurement and delivery model. Implementation is from Year 3. | $100,260 |
| Cambridge Tamahere Water Supply Reservoir Zone | This project is to deliver dedicated bulk ring main and filling lines to new reservoirs, to be delivered by Waikato District Council. This project benefits HCC by reducing Waikato District Council demand on HCC’s local networks which currently impacts levels of service (pressure and flow) to HCC customers. This project reduces operational costs. Supports sub-regional servicing by improving overall efficiency of water network investment (e.g. avoiding duplicating storage requirements across territorial boundaries). Year 2 is investigation and design, moving into procurement and construction from Year 3. | $23,371 |
| Greenhill/R2_Gordonton Water Supply Reservoir Zone | This project is to deliver dedicated bulk ring main and filling lines, and a new reservoir and pump station. Project is to service proposed R2 growth cell and Waikato District council out-of-district supply. This project supports sub-regional servicing by improving overall efficiency of water network investment (e.g. avoiding duplicating storage requirements across territorial boundaries). Year 2 is investigation and design moving into procurement and construction from Year 3. | $99,751 |
| Ham South Reservoir - Additional 20ML | Project is to construct a new reservoir adjacent to Hamilton South Reservoir No.1. Required to service growth and maintain levels of services and operational standards. Timing will be driven by demand and when it exceeds the capacity of Hamilton South Water Supply Reservoir No. 1. | $87,206 |
| Maeroa Water Supply Service Mains | Required to respond to growth and meet levels of service. | $4,152 |
| Matangi/Morrinsville Matangi\Newstead Zone | This project is to deliver dedicated bulk ring main and filling lines to new reservoirs to be delivered by Waikato District Council. This project benefits HCC by reducing Waikato District Council’s demand on HCC local networks which currently impacts levels of service (pressure and flow) to HCC customers. This project reduces operational costs. This project supports sub-regional servicing by improving overall efficiency of water network investment (e.g., avoiding duplicating storage requirements across territorial boundaries. Year 2 is investigation and design moving into procurement and construction from Year 3. | $28,662 |
| Peacocke Service Mains | Required to respond to growth and meet levels of service. | $35,580 |
| Rotokauri Water Upsize Programme | Budget to work with developers to upsize the water network to ensure it is adequately sized for the wider network. Mostly located along the North-South arterial roading network. | $13,484 |
| Rototuna Water Upsize Programme | This is budget set aside to contribute to developer-led projects to ensure infrastructure built by developers is the most appropriate for the community now and into the future. These projects are all built by developers and the budget is only used when the developers are ready to build the infrastructure. Timing has been aligned with the Transport Upsize Programme to ensure water services are installed when the road is developed. | $3,855 |
| Ruakura Water Upsize Programme | This is budget set aside to contribute to developer-led projects to ensure infrastructure built by developers is the most appropriate for the community now and into the future. These projects are all built by developers and the budget is only used when the developers are ready to build the infrastructure. | $29,454 |
| Te Rapa North Water Upsize Programme | Budget to work with developers to upsize the water network to ensure it is adequately sized for the wider network. | $2,195 |
| Water demand management - universal meters | Universal water metering program to retrofit all existing residential water services with meters. Allowing significant ability to track and manage total demands and water losses in both the public and private reticulation, ensuring the city is not being wasteful with its water allocation, whist providing a resilient and cost-effective service. Needed to demonstrate efficient use of resources for compliance purposes and offset renewal investments and further major investments in plants and reservoirs. Delivery of this programme should occur alongside the SMART metering programme for existing metered non-residential connections (recommended in the Renewals and Compliance Programme). | $70,076 |
Operating (everyday) costs
Unit |
Long-Term Plan Year 1 2024/25 budget |
| Rubbish and recycling | $13,148 |
| Stormwater | $18,452 |
| Wastewater | $54,046 |
| Water supply | $30,353 |
Priority Five projects
Funded – these figures have been adjusted for inflation
Project |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost (000s) |
| Rototuna, Rotokauri and Peacocke | As we enable new neighbourhoods in greenfield areas, we’re delivering infrastructure that creates resilient communities. Our work will include nature-based solutions and future-proof stormwater networks like the Rotokauri Greenway to manage the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. We’re also increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in new development areas, to keep up with the demand of our growing city and protect the health and wellbeing of our waterways and the Waikato River. | $177,649,480 |
| Rototuna | This project will see the build of a new stormwater management device in Rototuna. | $16,879,802 |
| Rotokauri | We’re delivering infrastructure that creates resilient communities. Our work will include nature-based solutions and future-proof stormwater networks like the Rotokauri Greenway to manage the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. We’re also increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in new development areas to keep up with the demand of our growing city and protect the health and wellbeing of our waterways and the Waikato River. | $101,139,514 |
| Peacocke | We’re delivering infrastructure that creates resilient communities. Our work will include increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in new development areas to keep up with the demand of our growing city and protect the health and wellbeing of our waterways and the Waikato River. We're also building a new major arterial road and a new bridge over the Waikato River to connect Peacocke with Hamilton City. | $59,630,163 |
| Central City | Hamilton's central city and surrounding area is expected to grow by around 4,000 homes, housing up to 10,800 residents by 2035. To make sure our waters infrastructure can cater for this growth, projects under priority five for the central city include increasing the capacity of water, stormwater and wastewater networks in the central city. Upgrading the Ruakiwi pump station and updating our central city integrated catchment management plan are some of the projects that will contribute to this. | $69,086,688 |
| Stormwater management |
Our stormwater management plan for the 2024 - 2034 long term plan includes the creation of a wetland in Frankton that will help to reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes. The plan also incorporates upgrades and maintenance for the city's existing stormwater system, as well as making provision for expected growth. | $108,589,877 |
| Erosion control | This funding will allow us to mitigate erosion in our gully systems, in particular, Waitawhiriwhiri Gully. Erosion happens over time due to a combination of high intensity rainfall, soil types and steep gully topography. Erosion can be slowed or stopped through manmade structures such as culverts, or natural features such as planting where the root systems are used to strengthen the bank and prevent erosion naturally. | $29,341,157 |
| Flood management | Council has an ongoing programme to understand what would happen in areas of Hamilton if we had a very large, and rare, amount of rain. This data will be used by Council to inform development and consenting and for Council to be able to appropriately maintain the stormwater network. | $13,410,093 |
| Integrated Catchment Management Plan programme |
An Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) is a plan that helps us plan and manage the Hamilton stormwater system. In the 2024 - 2034 long term plan we plan to create a wetland in Frankton that will help to reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes. | $17,586,350 |
| Pukete Wastewater Upgrade | This project will provide funding for the upgrade of the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant, which services over 50,000 households and 4000 commercial and industrial premises. The upgraded plant will provide for the quality, capacity, and security of Hamilton's wastewater treatment for the next 30 years. | $523,506,483 |
| Citywide wastewater |
This programme makes sure that our city's wastewater system is up to standard. it includes projets like the Collins Road wastewater pump station upgrade, wastewater network system upgrades and expansions to maintain levels of service and improve sustainability, and upgrades to the eastern interceptor wastewater main. It also contributes to a shared project with surrounding councils to construct a subregional Wastewater Treatment Plant and related costs. | $292,089,767 |
| Citywide water supply |
To keep up with our city's growing water demands, our citywide water supply programme includes upgrading the Waiora treatment plant, the Fairfield and Maeroa pump stations, and our Eastern Reservoirs. It also includes upgrading and expanding our existing water network. | $319,312,915 |
| Renewals - landfill site management (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $14,813,917 |
| Renewals - stormwater (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $98,819,660 |
| Renewals - wastewater (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $380,484,794 |
| Renewals - water supply (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $166,550,679 |
| Subregional Wastewater Treatment Plant |
Hamilton has a single wastewater treatment plant at Pukete. The growth of the city and the region means future additional capacity will be needed to meet the needs of our communities and ensure we meet our obligations to protect and enhance the awa.
|
$7,518,000 |