A project to provide a wastewater pipe network in north-west Ashburton area is currently out for tender and the work, when completed, will enable more residential development in the area.

The work will involve laying 2km of pipes and building a pump station that will pump wastewater to Middle Road, where it will enter the town’s existing wastewater system.

New pipes will run along Carters Road, on Farm Road and Allens Road, and the pump station built on Allens Road, near Mill Creek.

Infrastructure Services Manager Neil McCann said the work had been on council’s books for years and contractors were currently submitting tenders for the work.

“This new wastewater network will enable higher density development in the area, which is mostly zoned residential C.

“There are about 50 properties in the 40-odd hectares that will be serviced by the new network, but over the next decade another thousand new sections could be created. The new pipes will also allow some people to decommission their septic tanks.”