Wastewater infrastructure renewal
Works to renew the wastewater pipeline running beneath Johnson Reserve is due to begin from 25 November 2024.
This work requires the track from James Cook Drive to the connection at Meander Drive to be closed during these works – although it’s expected a large portion of tracks will remain open prior to Christmas.
Tracks on the Waipuna Park side of the reserve, including the renewed boardwalks and bridges, will remain accessible through the duration of works. Tracks at the southern end of the reserve near the waterfall will also remain open.
Works will pause on 20 December and construction will not take place over the Christmas and New Year period. The reserve will be fully open to the public during this time. Work is scheduled to resume on 13 January 2025.
New boardwalks and bridges
The boardwalks and connecting bridges in the reserve are ageing and deteriorating, and are some of the oldest boardwalks in the city. To enhance this popular public space, we're replacing the old boardwalks with new, wider boardwalks and renewing five bridges.
The width of the boardwalk and bridges will be increased to two metres without compromising the natural environment surrounding the boardwalks.
Wastewater infrastructure
When the boardwalk and bridge renewal is nearing completion, works to replace the wastewater pipeline running beneath the reserve will begin.
The existing pipeline being removed is approximately 700m long and is now over 40 years old, is undersized, prone to overflows and not meeting service requirements. It runs mostly parallel to the walking track from Welcome Bay Road and the new pipeline will be installed along the existing or similar alignment.
We initially programmed the wastewater aspect of this project to be completed by April 2025 however this is now expected to be completed by late 2025. This is due to a slightly delayed start date, ensuring steps are in place for safely clearing the asbestos pipe and associated subsoil, as well as these works taking place in a confined space.
Replacing this pipeline is essential work and an important step to ensure Welcome Bay has a quality wastewater network.
Public access
Sections of the reserve will be closed to the public while construction is underway.
We’ll be keeping the community up to date on accessibility throughout the construction period, with signs and barriers in place to inform users of closures, and updates in Council’s Weekly Bulletin newsletter.
Boardwalk renewal: Work to renew boardwalks and bridges within Johnson Reserve is scheduled to be completed in late November 2024.
Wastewater upgrade: The red line shown below indicates the track which is closed during works. Tracks on the Waipuna Park side of the reserve, including the renewed boardwalks and bridges, will remain accessible through the duration of works. Tracks at the southern end of the reserve near the waterfall will also remain open.