Work is underway in the Blacks Road area in North East Valley as part of the ongoing DCC work to replace or renew old and poorly performing water, wastewater and stormwater pipes throughout Dunedin. The pipes are up to 100 years old and have begun to deteriorate.
Renewing the water mains will improve the water supply to the area with better water pressure, better water flow for firefighting and fewer burst pipes which lead to unplanned water shutdowns. Replacing the old earthenware or concrete wastewater and stormwater pipes with modern pipes will reduce leaks into the city’s wastewater system which will help reduce the overflows that cause manholes to pop up in NEV in heavy rain.
Residents will be affected mainly in Blacks Road, Signal Hill Road, Evans Street, McGregor Street and Colin Street. Side streets and the wider area may also be affected to a lesser degree.
Construction started in March 2022 and is scheduled for completion in mid 2023.
We will work with the contractor to minimise disruption to residents. However, the work will involve traffic management (including some road closures), also water shutdowns when the new pipes are connected and the old pipes are decommissioned. If work is scheduled for your street, the contractor will notify you beforehand and let you know about any disruptions.
If you have any general questions or concerns about this project, please contact our customer services team on 03 477 4000, email us at nevrenewals@dcc.govt.nz
3 Waters Projects Customer Feedback Form-
April 2023 Update
As part of the project to replace infrastructure pipes across North East Valley, we are currently working in the Blacks Road area. This newsletter is to help keep you up to date on our progress.
Progress so far
Thank you for your ongoing patience while this work is being carried out. Currently it is expected that all work will be complete on the Blacks Road / Evans Street project by mid-April.
All work is complete on Blacks Road between North Road and Balfour Street. We will need to return to reseal the asphalt and tidy up, this is expected to be done shortly. Resealing work between Gillespie Street and Marquis Street is currently planned in for 15 March 2023 and will require a 2 day road closure. We will deliver a separate letter to directly affected properties with some further information on what to expect.
Between Balfour Street and Evans Street, all of the main pipes (water, foul sewer and stormwater) have been installed. We are still continuing work to connect the individual lateral pipes to each house in this area. We do still need to connect the new water main to the existing water mains in Grey Street, Maybank Street and Evans Street. These will require water shutdowns later this month. We will be in touch via letter drop to notify all properties expected to be affected by these works before they happen. We will then need to return to reinstate the asphalt and tidy up the area.
We are currently working on Evans Street to install and connect the foul sewer that comes down from Colin Street, this is expected to be completed this month. We will then need to do the same for McGregor Street and Dalmeny Street. The traffic management for this is still being decided, we will be in touch with any affected residents prior to the work to inform what is happening.
Section Foul Sewer Stormwater Water Section 1 Foul Sewer main and laterals 100% installed. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. Storm water main and laterals 100% installed. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. Water main fully operational up to Balfour St. Balfour to Grey street to be completed in March. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. Section 2 Foul Sewer main and laterals 100% installed. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. Storm water main and laterals 100% installed. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. House connections from Grey St to Evans St to be completed in March. Grey St, Maybank St and Evans St shutdowns to be completed end of March to early April. Section 3 Waiting on design changes to safely install final section at the intersection of Evan’s/ Dalmeny St. Asphalt resurfacing and minor tidy ups to be completed. N/A N/A Section 4 Currently completing the install down Colin St. McGregor St renewal to start in March, Notification will be given closer to the time. N/A N/A Rubbish and recycling reminders
On rubbish and recycling collection days, please put out your bin and/or DCC black rubbish bag as normal. If the contractor needs to move bins and bags for safe collection, they will return them after the rubbish truck has been through.
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July 2022 Update
As part of the project to replace infrastructure pipes across North East Valley, we are currently working in the Blacks Road area. This newsletter is to help keep you up to date on our progress.
Progress so far
Work is continuing at the bottom of Blacks Road to replace the foul and storm sewer drains in Section 1. We are due to move the worksite up the hill slightly from Monday 4th July. Gillespie Street to North Road will soon be re-opened, however Blacks Road will then be closed between Royston Street and Gillespie Street. We will work with affected residents in this closed area to help where possible to minimise the disruption. From Grey Street to the closure will be marked as Resident Access Only. The onsite signs will be updated to reflect this closure.
In May, water renewal work was carried out to install a water main at the top end of Blacks Road, near Evans Street and Signal Hill Road. Further work is planned to install new individual house connections starting later in early July.
Section Foul Sewer Stormwater Water Section 1 We are continuing from North Road and are heading up Blacks Road. We are continuing from North Road and are heading up Blacks Road. Work has not started yet. Work will commence once the foul and stormwater replacement is complete. Section 2 No work at this stage. Work to commence mid 2022, or once the water pipe replacement is completed in this section. No work at this stage. Work to commence mid 2022, or once the water pipe replacement is completed in this section. Water main installed, work to re-commence to install new individual house connections. Section 3 No work at this stage. Work scheduled to commence in Winter 2022. N/A N/A Section 4 No work at this stage. Work to commence in Winter 2022. N/A N/A 
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April 2022 update
As part of the project to replace infrastructure pipes across North East Valley, we are currently working in the Blacks Road area.
Section Foul Sewer Stormwater Water Section 1 We have commenced at North Road and are heading up Blacks Road We have commenced at North Road and are heading up Blacks Road. Work has not started yet. Work will commence once the foul and stormwater replacement is complete. Section 2 No work at this stage. Work to commence mid 2022, or once the water pipe replacement is completed in this section. No work at this stage. Work to commence mid 2022, or once the water pipe replacement is completed in this section. We will commence with the water renewal in early May. Section 3 No work at this stage. Work scheduled to commence in Winter 2022. N/A N/A Section 4 No work at this stage. Work to commence in Winter 2022. N/A N/A Progress so far
Work is continuing at the bottom of Blacks Road to replace the foul and storm sewer drains. There have been a couple of delays due to an archaeological find (some old bluestone steps) and a new fibre cable that was installed recently. Our teams are working hard to redesign our plans to accommodate this and continue to work up Blacks Road.
In May, water renewal work is scheduled to start at the top end of Blacks Road, near Evans Street and Signal Hill Road.
We will be communicating with the school about dates where work is due to be carried out around the school drop off areas to help things run as smoothly as possible.
Communication to you
Our aim is to keep you up to date with progress with regular updates via signs, newsletters and e-text. If you would like to receive updates via text and have not already provided us with details, please email nevrenewals@dcc.govt.nz with your name, address and cell phone number.
Rubbish and recycling reminders
On rubbish and recycling collection days, please put out your bin and/or DCC black rubbish bag as normal. If the contractor needs to move bins and bags for safe collection, they will return them after the rubbish truck has been through.
Other Services
If you are provided with other services, for example gas delivery, green waste or private rubbish collection, please advise your provider of this work and encourage them to contact the site foreman listed below to help with access or any alternate arrangements.
Pedestrian and vehicle access
Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, either by the footpath or by an alternative path provided by the contractor.
Between 7.30am and 6pm, please park away from the site to allow the construction to run smoothly and trucks to move around safely. Please also stay out of the immediate worksite as it will contain some hazards, particularly for children.
Contacts and Further Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please feel free to contact our customer services team on 03 477 4000 or email the project team at nevrenewals@dcc.govt.nz.
For site-specific matters, you can also contact the contractor directly during construction. Please call Marty Wells from Fulton Hogan - 027 488 3009 if you would like to request access to your driveway on a particular day, for example if you are moving house, or if you require special access arrangements for anyone with mobility issues.
For all currently planned roadworks in Dunedin (including this project) please visit the roadworks schedule.
FAQs
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How much is it costing?
The Blacks Road work is costing $5.6 million
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What happens to our feedback?
We’ll consider your feedback and answer your questions.
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Who do I talk to if I have questions and how can I reach them?
You can contact us at nevrenewals@dcc.govt.nz or speak to our Customer Service team on (03) 477 4000.
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How will this negatively affect people?
There could be some disruption while we are replacing pipes. This could include road closures or other traffic management, water shutdowns and groundwork in your property. We’ll let you know when disruption will be happening and will do our best to minimise it.
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How will this positively affect people?
Renewing the water mains will improve the water supply to the area with better water pressure and water flow for firefighting, fewer burst pipes and unplanned water shutdowns. Renewing the wastewater and stormwater pipes will help reduce the number of overflows in heavy rain.
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When is this project happening?
From March 2022 – June 2023.
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Who is affected by this project?
Residents of Blacks Road, Evans Street, McGregor Street, Colin Street and Signal Hill Road, Opoho School, businesses, visitors to the area, commuters, bus operators, emergency services and rubbish collectors.
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Why are we doing it?
The pipes are old and badly deteriorated - this project will improve our infrastructure for long term use.
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What are we doing?
We’re replacing water, stormwater and wastewater pipes in Blacks Road, Northeast Valley, during 2022-2023.