A project that is transforming how Auckland deals with flooding has taken home one of the top awards in the country.
At the recent Stormwater Conference and Expo Gala, the Port of Auckland Outfall project was named Project of the Year.
The project, a collaboration between Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters, McConnell Dowell, and GHD, tackled a serious problem: regular flooding in Auckland’s Eastern CBD and Stanley Street area. This flooding threatened key infrastructure assets like Britomart Station, Spark Arena, and the Port of Auckland.
To solve it, the team pulled off a New Zealand-first feat. They used a unique underground tunnelling technique, combined with what’s called an “inverted siphon”, to build a new stormwater outfall. This system runs deep below Quay Street and through the Port area, using twin pipes that now carry stormwater safely into the Waitematā Harbour.
Working under active train lines, historic sea walls, and a live port environment was no easy feat. But with close cooperation from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and local businesses, the team made it happen without major disruption.
“I want to congratulate everyone in the team on this well-deserved award,” says Craig McIlroy, General Manager Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience.
“As we have seen through various extreme rain events, the climate change impact of flooding to the Auckland region has caused unprecedented disruption.
“The dedication and mahi that went into the project shows the strength of their collaborative approach in preparing for the future.”
One of the keys to their success was a special tunnelling machine that safely dug a 300-meter tunnel with minimal surface impact. The Council says safety was front and centre throughout the process, and smart planning helped keep costs in check while speeding up construction.
“This isn’t just a win for the project team, it’s a big step forward for Auckland. The new outfall significantly reduces the risk of flooding downtown, making the city more resilient as extreme weather becomes more common. It also sets the stage for future growth, capping off nearly 20 years of careful planning,” Council said in a statement.
“In short, this award-winning project shows how smart ideas and strong teamwork can solve even the toughest urban challenges.”
The Healthy Waters team came away with a further two awards on the night; Sarah Nolan won the Young Stormwater Professional of the Year and Rachel Devine as co-author of the winning Stormwater Paper of the Year for her work on the Auckland Central Library green roof.
