Infrastructure renewals - Rifle Range Road

What we’re doing

This construction season we're:

• Renewing the watermain along the east side of Rifle Range Road from Norton Road roundabout to the northern corner of Swarbrick Park from 25 August – February 2025. The pipes here are from 1924 and need renewing. Most of the work will be directional drilling (where we dig two holes and then drill horizontally under the ground between them). This reduces open excavations, although there will still be some minor excavations when we connect the new pipes to properties. Our contractor will contact affected properties before any interruptions to water supply. 
• Renewing the road seal for the traffic lanes and on-street parking on the whole length of Rifle Range Road. The pre-seal maintenance work will take place in school holidays to minimise impact on the schools. The reseal work will begin after the water renewals are completed. We will give you more information closer to the time. 
• Carry out minor maintenance on footpaths and minor resealing on side roads while we’re in the area. This eliminates the need to come back later. We will give you more information closer to the time. 

What we’re not doing

Changing the road layout.  

Why we’re doing it

The upcoming infrastructure renewals are necessary upgrades to the water and road infrastructure in the area to ensure that your water supply remains clean and working, and your roads are smooth and driveable.

Why we didn’t do it at the same time as the cycleway

This timing is the most cost-effective for ratepayers overall. We couldn’t delay the cycleway works because central government’s funding was only for a limited time. Getting those works completed early then doing these renewal works meant we received $2.8 million in funding which didn’t come from ratepayers. It also means we can keep Rifle Range Road open for the community during the waters works, which would have been more difficult if we were doing the cycleway at the same time. While we appreciate residents and road users are affected in the short term, we have to look at the long-term benefits for the area and the city. This is the best option. 

We were always planning to renew the road but we wanted to do this after the water pipes were fixed to avoid digging up the new road seal. 

When we’re doing it

Construction work is expected to start Monday 25 August 2025 and run until February 2026. This will include both the water renewal and the road pre-seal maintenance work and reseal work. 

The water renewal hours of construction will be Monday to Friday, 7am – 7pm. 

Traffic management will be in place to direct pedestrians, cyclist and vehicles through the work area as the contractors works through the renewal process. 

Significant waters works, though important, can cause disruption, so we aim to keep residents in the loop and work with local businesses to minimise impacts where possible. Below are the letters we sent to residents and businesses on 11 August 2025. 

Rifle Range Road Renewals Letter - businesses

Rifle Range Road Renewals Letter - residents

This renewal programme was adopted unanimously at the Council meeting on 26 June 2025.