Possible lifeline for Cambridge Water Tower

Cambridge’s historic water tower may yet have a lifeline, with Waipā District Council investigating a new, more affordable, way to strengthen and preserve it.

However, its final fate may rest on the outcome of a new Detailed Seismic Assessment due to be completed by the end of the year and preliminary design work due to be completed early next year.

At a workshop to discuss the financial impacts of projects on the Council’s draft 2025 – 34 Long Term Plan, councillors supported inclusion of both a remove and restore option in the budget. New technologies being explored mean it could potentially be strengthened for about $2 million, significantly less than the $6 million originally consulted on.

Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan says while it’s too early to celebrate just yet, it’s encouraging news and underlines the council’s commitment to exploring all options to keep the tower.

“When we made decisions on the Enhanced Annual Plan, we pledged to keep an open mind about the future for the water tower, and we are delivering on that promise,” she said. “We know how much this piece of history means to many people in Cambridge, and we are listening.”

A possible more affordable strengthening solution for the tower, which neighbours a retirement village, emerged in recent months. It involves a New Zealand-based company with a well-established track record for seismic strengthening of heritage buildings.

The council is now undertaking the Detailed Seismic Assessment report to gain further understanding of the condition of the tower. The assessment will be independently evaluated, and if it confirms the original seismic capacity rating of the structure, preliminary design work will explore potential solutions to strengthen the tower, including cost estimates.

“Once we have all the information, both options will be reviewed so we can decide a way forward: to demolish or retain,” said O’Regan.