Victoria Street Wastewater Rising Main - Stage 1
On behalf of Wellington City Council, we are replacing an ageing wastewater rising main along Victoria Street as part of our programme of work to increase the capacity and resilience of the city's wastewater network.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact:
Wellington Water, 04 912 4400
Latest Updates
The renewal works in Victoria Street started in early July 2025 and are connected to the projects on Taranaki and Wakefield Streets, which have recently been completed.
After works are completed, it will enable more efficient maintenance of the CBD wastewater network with capacity for wastewater to be diverted or stored rather than bursting and overflowing onto the street.
Where possible, we have coordinated the work with other Wellington City Council projects in the area to minimise disruption on people and businesses.
Why are we doing this?
This project is part of a major upgrade of the CBD wastewater network. The upgrade is designed to ensure future resilience, support population growth and protect the environment.
Check out other projects as part of this programme of work.
What we are doing
We're replacing an existing rising main along Victoria Street that has reached the end of its life. A rising main is a pipe that moves wastewater under pressure - so that it can travel to the main pipe (the interceptor) and then to the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
For Stage 1, we are working between the intersection with Willeston Street and the junction of Wakefield and Victoria Streets - the slip lane from Victoria Street onto Wakefield Street.
We have timed the work in this area for Stage 1 to avoid delays to the work that is being undertaken to strengthen Te Matapihi/the Central Library. The second stage between Harris and Willeston Street will be constructed following this work.
All Updates
We are now in the final stage of our works on Victoria Street, renewing the major wastewater pipe and connecting it with the pump station at Willeston Street.
This means from Monday 1 September:
Victoria Street will be reduced to one lane from Willeston Street to Harris Street. - Carparks will be removed from both sides of the street to support safer driving and fewer delays
- Pedestrian access will be maintained around the outside of the worksite but we recommend using the footpath on the western side of the road.
- Willeston Street will remain closed when turning left from Victoria Street. Access is still available from Jervois Quay for residents and drivers using the car park building.
- Access to Maning Lane for residents and deliveries will be kept open, but narrowed to a one-way entrance/exit. Traffic management controllers will be on site to manage the flow of vehicles.
What you need to know:
- The hours of work for will generally be 7:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday.
- There will be some noise and vibration due to the works.
- There will not be any disruption to water services due to these works.
- These road changes will be in place until the project is complete in December.
- The contractors undertaking this work are E N Ramsbottom Ltd.
This project will increase the capacity and resilience of the CBD’s wastewater network, providing backup options in case of bursts or overflows, and reducing the risk of wastewater being discharged into the harbour.
We know that the ongoing works on Victoria Street have been difficult for residents and businesses. We are coordinating with Wellington City Council to minimise the amount of disruption and get our critical projects complete ahead of the planned opening of Te Matapihi Central Library and Te Ngākau Civic Square in March 2026. (There will be some works continuing on Wakefield Street until May.)
If you have any questions, please contact:
- During business hours: Michelle Hoffman, Project Manager, 027 4716246
- After hours: Wellington City Council contact centre, 0800 499 4444 or tengakau@wcc.govt.nz.
Works to to connect the Victoria Street and Wakefield Street sections of the new CBD wastewater pipeline are underway.
While there are no planned water outages during the works, traffic management will be in place.
- Mercer Street will be closed to all vehicles. Vehicles travelling south on Victoria Street will need to detour into Harris Street. The westbound lane of Harris Street will be closed except to residents.
- On-street parking in the area around the worksite will be restricted due to traffic management. Resident and tenant access to parking basements at Aon Centre and 62 Victoria Street will be maintained by the traffic management team.
- Pedestrian access will be unaffected - crews will direct you around the works area.
- Works will take place from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 6 pm
Thank you again for your patience. These works will improve the capacity and resilience of the CBD’s wastewater network, minimising the risk of bursts or overflows, and wastewater being discharged into the harbour.