Between 2023 and 2030, Nelson Airport is carrying out a multi-million dollar programme of stormwater upgrades to progressively replace ageing pipework, build resilience to climate change, and prepare for future airport growth and development.
Our current water, stormwater and sewerage infrastructure dates back to the 1940s and 1970s when previous terminals were built. Much of it is reaching the end of its life, and some is undersized and in poor condition.
In June 2026, the next phase of resilience upgrade work gets underway. We’ll be building a new, larger stormwater pipe and estuary outlet, improved overland flow paths, a new watermain, plus two new sewer pump stations and pipelines.
The work will:
The work follows on from the replacement of an undersized 1940s stormwater pipe draining water from the runway to the detention basin beside Trent Drive. This work significantly increased the capacity of the pipe and reduced the risk of breaks.
Further upgrades planned out to 2030 will provide:
To be as efficient as possible, stormwater works will also be integrated with our: