Massive underground tanks of rainwater for new vehicle wash

Wash'n'Go: GHL commercial operations manager Jeremy Raymond, commercial property and projects general manager Rob Budd and director Dave Mullooly. Picture by Paul Rickard

The countdown is on for the official opening of Gisborne Holdings Limited's new state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly vehicle wash on the corner of Carnarvon Street and Childers Road.

GHL commercial property and projects general manager Rob Budd said it had been a real team effort to bring to completion an operation that features the latest in car wash technology.

Construction on the project started in October 2020 and while Covid-19 led to a few delays, things were well in hand for the official opening on Saturday of the cash-free operation on the former corner carpark.

“My team, including contractors, have worked extremely hard to provide a high quality carwash facility for the Gisborne community,” says Mr Budd.

“Covid did provide some challenges during construction but nothing we couldn't handle. I am very happy with the end result, which looks fantastic.”

Four 10,000-litre underground rainwater tanks have been installed with 80 percent of the water used in the auto wash to be recycled.

The cash-free vehicle wash will feature one autowash, three self-service bays and vacuum cleaners. The autowash has options for touchless and soft brush and includes an under-car wash. It is a cashless operation, using a phone app and cards only.

To celebrate Saturday's opening, GHL will be offering plenty of freebies, from car washes, to sausages from the barbecue and coffee, between 10am and 2pm.

GHL is the commercial arm of Gisborne District Council.

The completion of the car wash comes at just the right time.

Gisborne city and Manutuke residents are, from today, asked to conserve water as the council carries out essential upgrade work to the Waingake Water Treatment Plant.

The treatment plant will be turned off for two weeks to enable the replacement of the electrical automation system.

However, the car wash will not hamper conservation efforts because it runs off rainwater, most of which is then recyled.