Our Services

River Maintenance

As a trusted contractor to the Otago Regional Council and other environmental partners, Cargill Contracting Ltd has a proven track record in river maintenance and fish passage improvement. Our services in this space include:

• ‌Reinstatement and upgrading of riverbank assets for erosion control and habitat protection
  
• Fish passage restoration, including the removal of migration barriers and installation of infrastructure in accordance with the New Zealand Fish Passage Guidelines
  
• Culvert replacements and regrading to ensure safe upstream access for native species
  
• Sediment management and river diversions delivered under strict environmental controls
  
• Ongoing ecological monitoring in partnership with iwi and local catchment groups

Recent projects under the Toitū Te Hakapupu catchment restoration programme, such as the Watkins River and Pleasant River culvert upgrades, involved the installation of large-diameter reinforced culverts, compacted bedding layers, and water flow realignment to support long-term aquatic ecosystem health. We work closely with fish ecologists and regional authorities to deliver best-practice outcomes that go beyond compliance.

At CCL, river maintenance is about balance and delivering practical solutions that protect property and infrastructure while restoring natural flow and ecological resilience.

Download the Pleasant River and the Watkin River case studies to read more about the challenges we faced, the solutions we implemented, and the outcomes we achieved in each project.

Learn more about Toitū Te Hakapupu project

Water Ways Infrastructure Replacement

Cargill Contracting Ltd (CCL) is a go-to partner for delivering infrastructure upgrades that intersect with or lie adjacent to waterways. These projects require a careful balance between structural performance, environmental protection, and programme efficiency, and we bring the skills and systems to deliver all three. Our work includes complex stormwater and flood resilience upgrades for local councils and developers, such as the St Andrew Street stormwater upgrade in central Dunedin. This involved staged excavation, large-diameter pipe installation, erosion control, and surface reinstatement, all within a live urban environment. We developed and delivered Temporary Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) in-house to keep the public safe and minimise disruption.

‌CCL applies best-practice sediment control, dewatering techniques, and utility protection to every project. We manage works with care around watercourses, drains, and in flood-prone areas, while coordinating with stakeholders and adjacent landowners. With our modern excavators, water control systems, and experienced team, we deliver precise, safe, and durable infrastructure replacements, even under challenging environmental and traffic conditions.

‌Waikōuaiti Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
The Waikōuaiti Water Intake Upgrade was a project of major community and cultural significance, following national attention over lead contamination in the town’s water supply. As the first stage of the wider treatment plant upgrade, the new intake was critical to restoring public confidence and meeting modern health and safety standards.

Delivered in partnership with McConnell Dowell and the Dunedin City Council, the works required constructing a new intake within the Waikōuaiti River, a culturally sensitive waterway under close iwi and environmental oversight. CCL worked closely with Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki to develop a methodology that protected the mauri of the river while maintaining uninterrupted water supply.

Completed safely, on time, and without environmental incident, the project was later featured by DCC at its annual Market Briefing and awarded the 2025 CCNZ Otago Project of the Year (Category C).

‌Read the full case study

Property or Site Works and Utilities

From residential builds to large-scale subdivisions, CCL provides end-to-end earthworks and utilities installation to prepare properties for development. With our decades of expertise, we know what it takes to transform raw land into build-ready platforms.

Our services include:

• Site clearing, topsoil stripping, and levelling
• Cut-to-fill earthworks using GPS-guided machinery
• Driveway and roading formation with metalling or sealing
• Trenching, pipe-laying, and backfilling for stormwater, subsoil drainage, power, fibre, and potable water
• Retaining walls (gabion, block, blade pile) and slope shaping
• Final shaping, landscaping, fencing, and reinstatement

Private landowners, developers, and council clients across Canterbury, Otago and Southland have trusted us with their projects. Our in house crews use CCL-owned machinery, meaning we’re there every step of the way from earthworks to infrastructure installation. With tight quality control processes, we meet compliance standards and save our clients time and hassle. Whether you’re preparing a home, commercial facility, or rural block, we bring the team and tools to get it done right the first time.

Kerb and Channel

Our kerb and channel teams have extensive experience constructing concrete vehicle crossings, footpaths, edge restraints, and carparks to both standard and custom designs. These elements might seem minor, but they play a crucial role in stormwater management, road function, and pedestrian safety.

CCL handles full construction from excavation, boxing, and base preparation through to concrete pour, finishing, and curing. We use both machine-pour and hand-form methods depending on site needs, and can accommodate curves, intersections, and gradient changes as required.

All kerb and channel works are built to meet Dunedin City Council and Waka Kotahi standards, and are supported by our in-house traffic management teams for works near live roads or driveways. We also complete full reinstatement of surfaces, landscaping, and vehicle access points to deliver a polished, compliant result.

Farm Developments and Forestry Earthworks

CCL’s known as a reliable partner for rural landowners, forest managers, and agricultural developers. Our team understands the demands of working in rural environments from steep terrain and weather extremes to managing sensitive natural features like waterways and wetlands.

We deliver:

• New access tracks for farms and forestry blocks
• Heavy-duty roading for harvest and seasonal use
• Earth dams and irrigation pond construction
• Effluent pond excavation and liner prep
• Fence-line grading and post-driving
• Water tabling, culvert installation, and erosion protection
• General land shaping, drainage, and cartage of bulk materials

Our team has built permanent and temporary infrastructure for forestry companies and landowners across Otago and Southland and we know how to balance productivity with environmental protection. All work is planned in consultation with clients to meet their stock, cropping, or harvest needs and we pride ourselves on turning up with the right gear and a problem-solving attitude.

Roading Formation and Maintenance

When it comes to delivering high-quality road construction and maintenance across a mix of sealed and unsealed networks, CCL’s track record is impressive. As a subcontractor under the Dunedin City Council’s Road Maintenance Contract (via Fulton Hogan), we manage a wide range of road repairs, rebuilds, and associated civil works.

Our services include:

• Formation and metalling of new access roads and forestry tracks
• Grading and water-tabling of unsealed roads
• Kerb, channel, and shoulder repairs
• Drainage upgrades and road-edge stabilisation
• Asphalt patching and chip sealing (via partners)
• Reinstatement following utility works
• Emergency response following slip events or weather impacts

Our teams cleared over 55 slips in a 12-month period, including the major Blueskin Road and Coast Road events. Each response required rapid mobilisation, material cartage, TMP setup, and clear communication with affected communities.

We deliver all traffic management in-house, including STMS supervision, signage, and compliance with the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM). Whether working in town or on rural networks, we keep roads open and safe throughout the job.

Domestic Water Supply

We have a domestic water supply tanker which delivers potable water for household purposes anywhere in the Dunedin and East Otago areas.