Designation and Reclassification of Lake Domain land for reservoirs

Overview

To increase the supply of drinking water and capacity for firefighting for our growing central city, we need to build two 25 million litre (ML) water reservoirs next to the existing reservoir at Hamilton Lake.

To enable the reservoirs to be built, we need to complete two formal processes:

Notice of Requirement (NoR)
To designate more land for water infrastructure.

Reserves Act Reclassification
To reclassify the land to better reflect its intended future use.

Each process requires consultation with the community.

Earlier this year in February and June we asked for feedback from the community on the reservoirs concept and how the space is used. We used this feedback to help shape the design and layout of the reservoirs.

You can find more about those consultations here.

The first reservoir is planned to be constructed by 2028, while the second is expected to be needed from 2040. The project is funded by the central government through the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.

Have your say

The NoR and Reserves Act Reclassification are the final formal opportunities to provide feedback on the proposed reservoirs. If you’d like your views to be formally considered, you’ll need to submit them through these channels.

Consultation opens 23 September 2025 and closes at 4pm on 22 October 2025.

You can have your say on one, or both of these processes:

Reserves Act Reclassification

Under the Reserves Act 1977, Council is proposing to reclassify the designated portion of the Lake Domain Reserve on Ruakiwi Road from a Recreation Reserve to a Local Purpose Reserve, to better reflect its intended future use.

Have your say on the reclassification
Notice of Requirement

We’ve lodged a Notice of Requirement (NoR) to designate land for water infrastructure purposes within the Lake Domain Reserve on Ruakiwi Road. This is a formal process under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Have your say on the NoR

Proposed designation and reclassification boundary

Why are the reservoirs required?

The existing reservoir is nearly 100 years old and doesn't have the capacity to support growth. The new reservoirs will:

Ensure a reliable, high-quality water supply for residents, businesses, and Waikato Hospital.
Increase water supply to support central city growth (by 2035 we’re expecting 10,800 more people living in this area).
Provide essential water supply for firefighting.

Following significant technical, environmental and cultural investigation, the Ruakiwi site (next to the existing Ruakiwi Reservoir) has been identified as the best site for the two new reservoirs and a valve chamber building.

The site has hydraulic advantages as it enables the best and efficient (aka gravity) water supply to the city and has supplied the central city with water for over 100 years with many important customers including Waikato Hospital.

Find out more about the project here.