12 Nov 2024
The Festival Way Project commenced with a special ceremony back in November 2023. CKL’s team joined Mana Whenua, Waikato District Councillors, community board members, and contractors for a blessing of the land, walking the site together with waiata and karakia. It was a meaningful way to kick off a project focused on creating vital new infrastructure for the Ngāruawāhia community.
Commissioned by the Waikato District Council, the Festival Way Project marks a major step in unlocking development potential in Ngāruawāhia and will connect future residential areas to the wider region and the Waikato River.
The development includes a new road, an upgraded stormwater network to reduce flood risks, and water-sensitive design features to minimise environmental impact. CKL has worked hard to ensure the project meets stringent environmental standards while also supporting the community’s long-term needs.
CKL was engaged by Waikato District Council due to their proven track record in integrated engineering and environmental design. CKL’s multidisciplinary team delivered a full suite of services, including survey, planning, transportation and roading engineering, environmental and stormwater design, contract administration, and construction monitoring.
The project progressed from initial concept designs in 2021 to detailed design, and is now well into the construction phase, with completion expected in early 2025.
A key element of this project’s success has been the collaboration between CKL, Waikato District Council, and contractors Schicks (roading) and GT Civil (stormwater infrastructure). This close partnership has ensured a seamless integration of expertise and a shared commitment to achieving the project’s goals.
Led by the Waikato District Council, the CKL team also worked hand-in-hand with local iwi throughout the planning process, ensuring that cultural considerations were respected and incorporated into the design, strengthening the project's connection to the community.
One of the standout aspects of the Festival Way Project was the sensitive environmental context, including proximity to the Waikato River, wetlands, and existing streams. CKL’s primary challenge was to manage stormwater runoff effectively while safeguarding these vital ecosystems. Given the direct discharge into the Waikato River, ensuring water quality was a top priority.
The project featured several innovative approaches, including the use of vegetated swales within the roading infrastructure to treat stormwater and mitigate flood risks. The team initially proposed using pipe jacking to install a 1050 mm diameter HDPE pipe, minimising disruption to the wetland area. Although the groundwater conditions ultimately allowed for trenching, the exploration of pipe jacking highlighted CKL’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and prioritising safety in design.
To further protect the riverbank, CKL incorporated a boulder stilling basin, designed to slow the velocity of stormwater flow, providing effective erosion control and enhancing the natural landscape.
Securing consents from both the Waikato District Council and the Regional Council was a critical milestone and a significant challenge due to the sensitive environmental areas involved. CKL leveraged its multidisciplinary expertise, with input from planning, engineering, stormwater, and environmental teams to streamline the process.
Early engagement and collaboration with regulatory bodies, including adherence to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, the Waikato Regional Plan, and local stormwater guidelines, were instrumental in achieving consent approval.
This proactive approach underscored CKL’s ability to navigate complex legislative frameworks while maintaining a strong focus on environmental sustainability.
The successful completion of the Festival Way Project will deliver long-term benefits for the Ngāruawāhia community. The new road and associated infrastructure not only provide immediate improvements in transportation but also unlock potential for future development in the region. The enhanced stormwater management system reduces flood risks and protects the Waikato River, contributing to a healthier and more resilient local ecosystem.
The Festival Way Project is a proud achievement for CKL. Guiding the project from inception through to construction and seeing it materialise on site is a powerful validation of the team’s expertise and dedication.
Senior Engineer Kylin Gunkel shared his experience of visiting the site and witnessing the completed sections of road: “To see something that started as a concept in someone’s mind become a reality is truly rewarding. It reinforces that we are making a positive impact, not just for our client but for the entire community.”
With construction nearing completion, CKL looks forward to the continued positive impact of the Festival Way Project on the Ngāruawāhia community, delivering resilient infrastructure that will serve the area for years to come.
Festival Way Project: Pioneering Resilient Infrastructure for Ngāruawāhia
The Festival Way Project commenced with a special ceremony back in November 2023. CKL’s team joined Mana Whenua, Waikato District Councillors, community board members, and contractors for a blessing of the land, walking the site together with waiata and karakia. It was a meaningful way to kick off a project focused on creating vital new infrastructure for the Ngāruawāhia community.
Commissioned by the Waikato District Council, the Festival Way Project marks a major step in unlocking development potential in Ngāruawāhia and will connect future residential areas to the wider region and the Waikato River.
The development includes a new road, an upgraded stormwater network to reduce flood risks, and water-sensitive design features to minimise environmental impact. CKL has worked hard to ensure the project meets stringent environmental standards while also supporting the community’s long-term needs.
A Comprehensive Partnership from Concept to Construction
CKL was engaged by Waikato District Council due to their proven track record in integrated engineering and environmental design. CKL’s multidisciplinary team delivered a full suite of services, including survey, planning, transportation and roading engineering, environmental and stormwater design, contract administration, and construction monitoring.
The project progressed from initial concept designs in 2021 to detailed design, and is now well into the construction phase, with completion expected in early 2025.
A key element of this project’s success has been the collaboration between CKL, Waikato District Council, and contractors Schicks (roading) and GT Civil (stormwater infrastructure). This close partnership has ensured a seamless integration of expertise and a shared commitment to achieving the project’s goals.
Led by the Waikato District Council, the CKL team also worked hand-in-hand with local iwi throughout the planning process, ensuring that cultural considerations were respected and incorporated into the design, strengthening the project's connection to the community.
Overcoming Environmental Challenges with Innovative Solutions
One of the standout aspects of the Festival Way Project was the sensitive environmental context, including proximity to the Waikato River, wetlands, and existing streams. CKL’s primary challenge was to manage stormwater runoff effectively while safeguarding these vital ecosystems. Given the direct discharge into the Waikato River, ensuring water quality was a top priority.
The project featured several innovative approaches, including the use of vegetated swales within the roading infrastructure to treat stormwater and mitigate flood risks. The team initially proposed using pipe jacking to install a 1050 mm diameter HDPE pipe, minimising disruption to the wetland area. Although the groundwater conditions ultimately allowed for trenching, the exploration of pipe jacking highlighted CKL’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and prioritising safety in design.
To further protect the riverbank, CKL incorporated a boulder stilling basin, designed to slow the velocity of stormwater flow, providing effective erosion control and enhancing the natural landscape.
Navigating a Complex Consenting Process
Securing consents from both the Waikato District Council and the Regional Council was a critical milestone and a significant challenge due to the sensitive environmental areas involved. CKL leveraged its multidisciplinary expertise, with input from planning, engineering, stormwater, and environmental teams to streamline the process.
Early engagement and collaboration with regulatory bodies, including adherence to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, the Waikato Regional Plan, and local stormwater guidelines, were instrumental in achieving consent approval.
This proactive approach underscored CKL’s ability to navigate complex legislative frameworks while maintaining a strong focus on environmental sustainability.
A Proud Achievement and a Lasting Legacy
The successful completion of the Festival Way Project will deliver long-term benefits for the Ngāruawāhia community. The new road and associated infrastructure not only provide immediate improvements in transportation but also unlock potential for future development in the region. The enhanced stormwater management system reduces flood risks and protects the Waikato River, contributing to a healthier and more resilient local ecosystem.
The Festival Way Project is a proud achievement for CKL. Guiding the project from inception through to construction and seeing it materialise on site is a powerful validation of the team’s expertise and dedication.
Senior Engineer Kylin Gunkel shared his experience of visiting the site and witnessing the completed sections of road: “To see something that started as a concept in someone’s mind become a reality is truly rewarding. It reinforces that we are making a positive impact, not just for our client but for the entire community.”
With construction nearing completion, CKL looks forward to the continued positive impact of the Festival Way Project on the Ngāruawāhia community, delivering resilient infrastructure that will serve the area for years to come.
