Morey Street stormwater detention dams

Rotorua Lakes Council is working urgently to enable more housing development in Rotorua.

Part of that work includes investing in infrastructure to support new and existing residential developments. The investment also helps to reduce the current impact on our environment and future-proofs our city for the projected impacts of climate change.

Morey Street stormwater detention dams

Council is proposing to construct two stormwater detention dams (‘Morey Street East dam’ and ‘Morey Street West dam’) in the undeveloped land above Morey Street.

The dams work to reduce the impact on the stormwater network, and reduce the potential for flooding, by detaining and attenuating stormwater flows from the upstream catchment. This means the dams will temporarily store and then slowly release stormwater that comes from the valleys upstream during heavy rain events.

The dams will also cater for stormwater runoff from new development in the area, as well as future-proof the network for projected increases in rainfall due to climate change.

Got questions?

Residents are invited to contact Council with any questions they may have about the proposed works.

To speak to a Council representative about these works please:

  • call 07 348 4199 between 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday
  • or send an email to info@rotorualc.nz

Rotorua Lakes Council is working urgently to enable more housing development in Rotorua.

Part of that work includes investing in infrastructure to support new and existing residential developments. The investment also helps to reduce the current impact on our environment and future-proofs our city for the projected impacts of climate change.

Morey Street stormwater detention dams

Council is proposing to construct two stormwater detention dams (‘Morey Street East dam’ and ‘Morey Street West dam’) in the undeveloped land above Morey Street.

The dams work to reduce the impact on the stormwater network, and reduce the potential for flooding, by detaining and attenuating stormwater flows from the upstream catchment. This means the dams will temporarily store and then slowly release stormwater that comes from the valleys upstream during heavy rain events.

The dams will also cater for stormwater runoff from new development in the area, as well as future-proof the network for projected increases in rainfall due to climate change.

Got questions?

Residents are invited to contact Council with any questions they may have about the proposed works.

To speak to a Council representative about these works please:

  • call 07 348 4199 between 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday
  • or send an email to info@rotorualc.nz

  • Investment in stormwater infrastructure in Eastside

    In 2020 the Government’s Crown Infrastructure Partners granted Council $15 million to invest in stormwater infrastructure in Eastside to support housing development.

    Council has developed and is implementing a Stormwater Master Plan to ensure that it is making cost effective investment decisions, and to ensure that infrastructure is installed at the right location, at the right size and at the right time, and is addressing both community and environmental wellbeing.

    The initial locations identified through the Stormwater Masterplan are the western and eastern parts of Rotorua. This is where most of the housing development is expected to occur in the next few years.

    For more information about stormwater investment in Rotorua visit

  • Detention dam locations

    supporting image

    The proposed Morey Street detentions dams will be constructed in the currently undeveloped area above Morey Street.

    Map 1 - Location of the two proposed detention dams

    Map 2 - Location of the Morey Street west dam


  • Construction and potential noise

    Prior to construction Rotorua Lakes Council must gain resource consent to carry out the works. This is expected to be complete by mid-2022. Following that process, the proposed works will take approximately 6-8 months in total to complete.

    During the construction period, contractors will be using earthmoving equipment such as excavators, scrapers and compaction rollers. This will likely generate noise and vibrations that neighbouring residents may hear when in and around their homes, depending on the location of the works at any given period.

    The contractor undertaking the works will adhere to an approved Construction Noise Management Plan (CNMP). The CNMP will outline the requirements to manage construction noise, such as:

    • Works only taking place between 7:30 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and 7:30 am and 1 pm Saturday, and outside of public holidays;
    • Complying with noise limits as agreed with Council;
    • Using acoustic screening, where practicable, to help reduce noise levels;
    • Monitoring noise levels throughout the works to check compliance with the noise limits. Vibration monitoring may also take place during ground compaction works;
    • Ongoing communication to keep you informed; and
    • Contact person always available should you have any concerns or queries during the works
Page last updated: 19 Dec 2023, 11:27 AM