Our process for prioritising and developing our blue-green network projects.
Ngā kaupapa mahi mō te kōtuinga kākā-rangi Blue-green network projects
Making Space for Water and our current blue-green projects
We have identified 12 park and waterway areas around Auckland that can be used to help reduce flooding. These areas will help contain excess flooding, keeping more water away from residential areas. These systems are called blue-green networks and are part of our Making Space for Water programme.
We have been completing feasibility assessments for these 12 areas to understand the costs and benefits of building blue-green network projects.
Blue-green project stages
The 12 projects are at different stages. Each one is either:
- going through an approval process
- under construction
- rejected as a blue-green network but with ongoing solution research.
Some of these projects are:
- co-funded by Auckland Council and central government
- linked to the Recovery Office's Category 3 buy-out.
Blue-green project locations
This document shows the locations of blue-green network projects.
How blue-green projects are developed
We develop blue-green projects in five stages. This process includes feedback from technical and environmental experts, mana whenua, local community groups and representatives.
Large projects like these can be expensive and disruptive. This five-stage process is expected to help with planning and completion times.
1. Feasibility assessment
A feasibility assessment helps our Healthy Waters department decide:
- if there is a stormwater solution that could reduce flooding
- whether the project is practical and affordable
- whether the project is likely to get Governing Body and central government approval.
2. Concept design
The concept design stage includes:
- an initial business case to predict benefits and costs
- feedback from mana whenua and the local board.
Once this is done, the Governing Body and central government decide whether to approve the project.
3. Preliminary design
If approved, we develop and share the initial design with the community. Once the design is more fully developed, we apply for a resource consent. The resource consent includes:
- possible environmental impacts
- feedback from the community.
4. Detailed design
When resource consent requirements are met, we create a final business case, which includes:
- detailed costs
- technical design
- engineering plans.
From here, the Governing Body and central government can give approval to begin construction.
5. Construction
When funding and designs are approved, the council can sign contracts with construction partners and construction can begin.
Ongoing blue-green network projects
We are continuing work on these blue-green network projects:
| Project area | Funding source | Status |
|---|---|---|
Central government / Auckland Council | Construction started in April 2025 and is expected to finish mid-2026. | |
Central government / Auckland Council | Council funding approved, pending central government approval. | |
Central government / Auckland Council | Community engagement underway. Proposal being developed. | |
| To be confirmed (currently unfunded) | Early design and modelling underway. |
| To be confirmed (currently unfunded) | Potential options identified. |
| Not applicable | Not progressing through blue-green networks programme. Alternative projects may be considered in future if required. |
Email bluegreen@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and ask to be added to our future developments mailing list.