Low recycling contamination rates, storm recovery, slower speeds, and major water renewals – a lot was discussed at this week’s Infrastructure Committee meeting.
Our Infrastructure Committee provides governance oversight and monitoring of Council’s operational functions and capital programmes for roading, the water network, waste management and minimisation, public amenities and Council properties.
Committee meetings are an opportunity for elected members to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the operational and capital work programmes that benefit South Wairarapa.
All of our Council and Committee meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and are open to the public. We know not everyone can tune in, so here’s a quick summary of some of the key matters discussed at the 16 April 2026 meeting.
Highlights from our Community Operations team
Our Community Operations team takes care of the day‑to‑day services and facilities that keep South Wairarapa moving and connected. They look after our community buildings, halls, reserves and public spaces, senior housing, cemeteries, and transfer stations, and carry out regular inspections, maintenance and renewals to keep everything safe and working well.
Lowest recycling contamination rate in NZ
The contamination rate in South Wairarapa for kerbside recycling was down to 3.6 percent for the month of February – the lowest rate in all of Aotearoa. The average kerbside recycling contamination rate is 17 percent. Ka pai South Wairarapa!
Celebrating our playgrounds
The newly refurbished Lake Ferry playground was opened to the public at Easter. There are still some final touches to be made, including a new minigolf section. This will be completed next month during a temporary reclosure of the playground.
The Joy Cowley Children’s Playground in Featherston has been shortlisted as a finalists in the 2026 Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga Parks Awards, following its upgrade last year.
Swimming pool upgrades
Our three swimming pools are a beloved community asset, and we’ve been using the downtime after the swimming season to carry out some repairs at our sites. This includes resurfacing pools and repairing leaks.
Welcome to Featherston sign
Following a refresh using local contractors, the ‘Welcome to Featherston’ sign has been reinstalled into the north entrance of the township.
Want to know more?
More information around the mahi of our Community Operations team can be found on our website here: swdc.govt.nz/community-operations-projects
Highlights from our roading team
South Wairarapa’s roading services are delivered through Ruamāhanga Roads which is a shared service between South Wairarapa and Carterton District Councils.
Roading maintenance – by the numbers!
During February and March 2026, the following maintenance works were completed in South Wairarapa.
- 52 potholes were repaired
- 198km of unsealed roads were graded
- 74.5km of street sweeping took place
- 17km of unlined surface water channels were cleaned
- 36 sumps were cleaned
- Debris in the waterways surrounding 5 bridges were cleared
- 49 metres of side rails were repaired
- 16km of high cut tree trimming took place
- 71 trees were trimmed or removed
- 19km of road was resealed
February storm ongoing clean-up efforts
Emergency works associated with the February storm weather event continue, following damage to roads and bridges. Initial response work to clean up and ensure the road network was safe has been done, with the Council now applying for retrospective resource consents to complete the remaining emergency works.
EcoReef extension
Resource consent has been approved to enable further EcoReef construction along Cape Palliser Road. The first leg of work, planned to begin in May, will be extending the current EcoReef at Whatarangi, where a section of carriageway was damaged in last year’s May storm. Find out more: swdc.govt.nz/news/green-light-to-commence-coastal-resilience-at-cape-palliser-with-ecoreef-extension
Ponatahi Road safety improvements
Safety improvements have been implemented along Ponatahi Road. The Huangarua Bridge change from two-lanes to one will take place in the next couple of weeks, following a shoulder extension.
Lower speeds being implemented
South Wairarapa District Council’s Speed Management Plan implementation is well underway with signage changes completed around schools, in Martinborough, and now being implemented on peri-urban roads around Featherston and Greytown. Find out more: swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/new-lower-speeds-being-implemented-over-next-week
Highlights from our water team
Tauwharenīkau Pipeline replacement success
The Tauwharenīkau pipeline renewal is 90 percent complete with the new pipe now delivering drinking water to Featherston, following a successful cutover from the old pipe. Removal of the old pipeline, tiding up the site, and a blessing will close out this project. Find out more: swdc.govt.nz/news/tauwharenikau-pipeline-river-crossing-replacement-success
Tender to upgrade our wastewater treatment plants
Greytown, Martinborough, and Featherston wastewater treatment plants upgrade tender is now closed and under evaluation. This contract will design and build biological nutrient removal upgrades to address resource consent non-compliance for Greytown and Martinborough, as well as add inlet screening to remove unbiodegradable solids that clog up equipment, and finally to upgrade UV disinfection at Martinborough to reduce pathogen risk.
Featherston Watermain Renewals update
Featherston Watermain Renewals project is going well and is now nearing completion with 1,575 metres laid out of the total 1,998 metres, replacing reinforced concrete pipework that was found to be a source of leaks. Find out more: swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/featherston-watermain-renewals-update
Powhiri at Papawai to discuss Greytown WWTP
The Council was invited to a powhiri at Papawai Marae to discuss how we will work together to find a sustainable design for the Greytown Wastewater Treatment Plant. The desludging works needed prior to this were also checked to ensure minimal disturbance to the area’s heritage values.
Citycare Water to deliver district’s three waters services
With Wellington Water winding down in June, Citycare Water will deliver the South Wairarapa district’s three waters operations, maintenance, and reactive renewals from 1 July 2026. Find out more: swdc.govt.nz/news/citycare-water-to-deliver-districts-three-waters-services
Signage vandalism and fly tipping concerns
The Committee acknowledged the ongoing illegal dumping occurring in the district, as well as recent incidents of vandalism to roading signs. It noted the unnecessary extra work this creates for Council staff and the additional burden on ratepayers. Councillors noted how “disappointing” this was and encourage residents to report any unlawful behaviour they come across.
Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant – update on community engagement
The Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) Stage 2 Improvements are proposals to irrigate treated wastewater from the MWWTP to land located to the north of Pain Farm.
The Council has had discussions with all property owners located near the proposed irrigation area, with the plans also shared to the broader community via posters at Martinborough Library, P&K supermarket, and the Council’s website and social media channels. This resulted in 18 submissions and 24 information requests, and in response to the matters raised, the concept design has been refined and additional measures have been introduced to ensure effects do not extend beyond the irrigation site boundary.
Investigations are ongoing and include continued community engagement. The project team will continue to consider information provided by the community to develop the design of the project. Following this, a Resource Consent application to discharge treated wastewater to the land north of Pain Farm are expected to be lodged in May-June this year.
Where to find more information
Find out what else was discussed.
See the full meeting agenda: Infrastructure Committee – 16 April 2026 – SWDC
Watch the meeting recording on YouTube: Infrastructure Committee – 16 April 2026