- Water shutoffs will affect parts of Lumsden and Riverton from 9am to 2pm this week
- Multiple roads closed for bridge repairs and electricity line works with limited or no detours
- Powernet’s Awarua project to cause East Road closures with helicopter work planned
Residents across Southland should prepare for scheduled water shutdowns, road closures, and detours this week, as the Southland District Council and Powernet carry out essential infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
In Lumsden, the water will be turned off on either 1 or 2 September for homes at 1–36 Garden Street between 9am and 2pm, while work is carried out at 31 Garden Street.
Riverton will see similar disruptions on either 2 or 3 September, with properties on 1–35 Ivy Street, all of Lex Street, and 6–17 Roy Street affected from 9am to 2pm, due to work at 10 Ivy Street.
The council stated, “Timeframes are indicative only. Water supply will be resumed without further notification. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
Road Closures For Bridge Repairs
Two major roads will be closed for bridge repairs:
- Block Road (from Piano Flat Road to McKinnel Road) will be shut from 7.30am on 1 September until 5.30pm on 19 September. No detour will be available.
- Hume Road (from Kingston Garston Highway to Northcoat Road) will close from 8 September until 10 October. A pedestrian escort will be provided for residents, but no vehicle detour is available.
Powernet’s East Road Works
Powernet will begin stringing new power lines along East Road as part of the Awarua Network Project, starting Wednesday 3 September. Preparation begins Wednesday, with helicopter operations expected Thursday and Friday.
For safety, East Road will be closed from 9am to 4pm between Racecourse Road and Mill Road North across all three days.
Detours will be in place:
- Westbound traffic will detour via Mill Road North, Findlay Road and Racecourse Road
- Eastbound traffic will detour via Racecourse Road, Findlay Road and Mill Road North
Powernet advised, “Please follow all signage and directions from the staff and allow for additional travel time.” Residents will be escorted in when it is safe to do so. Weather may delay works, and updates will be posted on Powernet’s Facebook page and website.
State Highway Work
Highways South will continue works with temporary traffic lights and stop/go controls across several highways:
- SH1 Bluff Highway (Elles Road roundabout to Frome Street) – Tuesday and Wednesday, 7am–6pm
- SH1 Bluff Highway at Greenhills – Wednesday to Friday, 7am–6pm
- SH94 Te Anau–Mossburn Highway at The Key – flanking and drainage work
- SH96 Glencoe Highway at Hedgehope – drainage work
- SH96 Wreys Bush–Nightcaps Highway – drainage and flanking work
Additional third-party works include:
- SH1 Woodlands–Invercargill Highway at Longbush – stop/go for powerline maintenance
- SH98 Lorne Dacre Road and SH94 at Hillside – stop/stop for tree felling
Drivers are advised to expect delays and plan alternative routes where possible.