Clinker Place Stormwater Pipeline

Scope of works

The works included:

• Installation of a new 550m stormwater pipe, beginning on Rankin Avenue, extending underneath Ambrico Place, and finishing in a new outfall within the Manawa Wetland Reserve. 
• Utilisation of the AVN 1200 tunnel boring machine (TBM) for trenchless pipe installation, covering 400m through two curved drives. 
• Construction of three temporary shafts, large-diameter manholes, and an inlet and outlet structure. 
• Construction of an outfall structure within the Manawa Wetland, serving as a crucial component of the stormwater pipe system to ensure effective water discharge. 
• Extensive service diversions were carefully planned and executed, encompassing 11kV power, fibre optic, sewer, potable water, and stormwater diversions to enable shaft construction. 
• Comprehensive reinstatement of various areas such as streets, wetland reserves, parks, private properties, and roads, post-construction. 

Mitigating impacts

The project was highly complex, with the team constructing the new 550m stormwater pipeline, which runs from the Clinker Place development site on Rankin Avenue and continues underneath Ambrico Place until it reaches the Manawa Wetland Reserve. As part of the project, 400m of the trenchless pipe was installed using our AVN 1200 TBM on curved alignments, 4 maintenance holes and risers were constructed, and a new outfall structure was built to discharge water into the Manawa Wetlands. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) helped to mitigate the noise and vibration impacts on residents and the local daycare and helped to protect the wetland reserve and public spaces during construction.

Further, Abergeldie innovatively reduced planned occupancy at Ambrico Reserve. This was achieved using a slurry TBM with a remotely connected separation plant, cutting reserve occupancy from 100% to 40% and eliminating 500 truck movements.

Building together for shared success

Abergeldie worked closely with Auckland Council to engage New Lynn Kindergarten for this project, given the TBM’s direct passage beneath. The students painted the tunnel boring machine with well-wishes and handprints and named it "Princess Twilight Super Worm." 

Throughout the project, the team engaged local and Māori-owned businesses for traffic management and labour hire, contributing to the local economy and nurturing a skilled workforce in the area. 

Now complete, the Clinker Place Stormwater pipeline improves water conveyance and capacity, providing environmental benefits and enabling a new housing development in the area.