The Programme

The Supporting Growth Programme is a collaboration between NZ Transport Agency(external link), Auckland Transport(external link) and Auckland Council(external link) to investigate, plan and deliver the transport services needed to support Auckland’s future urban growth areas over the next 30 years.

Warkworth, the North, North West and South Auckland have been earmarked for future urban growth. This means that in 2046, the population in Warkworth is anticipated to increase from 5,300 to 22,000, the North is anticipated to increase from 6,400 to 112,000, the North West from 9,000 to approximately 94,000 and in South Auckland an expected population increase from 85,500 to 212,000.

Here's a timeline of progress to date:

2019: Indicative corridors are endorsed by the Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency boards and the Indicative Strategic Transport Network 2019 is announced.

The Indicative Strategic Transport Network seeks to provide a range of transport choices that are intended to be developed and delivered over the next 10 to 30 years. More than 70 future projects are proposed including safety upgrades, new or upgraded public transport connections, walking and cycling links, upgraded roads and state highways. It is a well-connected system that delivers safety, accessibility and liveability outcomes by focusing on:

• Accelerating the development of rapid transit networks in new growth areas enabling frequent services on largely dedicated routes, capable of moving large numbers of people
• Locating rapid transit stations near higher density housing to provide easy access and travel choice
• Ensuring public transport is reliable and convenient, and providing walking and cycling facilities to key destinations and between communities
• Making the most of the existing network and integrating effective travel demand management tools (e.g. adaptive traffic signals, dynamic lanes and real time travel information) to encourage people to travel in different ways
• Developing new connections that better link people to where they live and work
• Providing for the future needs of freight trips to service new communities
• Improving safety on existing roads which cater for all transport choices
• Planning ahead for smarter and innovative travel choices in the future e.g. ride share schemes, workplace travel planning, autonomous vehicles, delivery by drones
• Providing opportunities for positive environmental and social outcomes.

The Indicative Strategic Transport Network builds on several years of intensive planning stages by Auckland Transport, the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Council and our partners, stakeholders and the community.

2018: The next stage of the planning programme got underway with a planning alliance announced by Auckland’s Mayor and the Transport Minister, with the goal of reassessing these plans in light of the latest growth predictions for these areas (which had increased since 2016), as well as updating them in line with new regional and national transport priorities and policies which have a significant bearing on the strategic approach to transport planning. These include the new Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, and the Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018 (ATAP), both which have a strong focus on:

• safety
• access
• liveability
• offering travel choice
• targeting investment to the most significant challenges to influence how and when people travel
• reducing the impact on the environment and
• improving public health outcomes.

Through the course of 2018, we:

• Worked with Auckland Council to align with their structure planning for some of these growth areas
• Identified possible transport options for each area
• Undertook technical reviews and assessments of the options
• Consulted with Manawhenua, local boards, transport interest groups and key stakeholders for their feedback
• Consulted with local communities for their feedback
• Prioritised projects that focus on delivering public transport options, so people have transport choice and are encouraged away from car use
• Further refined the indicative corridor options for each area through indicative business cases issued for Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency board approvals.

2016: The programme (then called Transport for Future Urban Growth) worked to identify community aspirations and develop initial high level transport plans that could support future urban growth in Warkworth, North, North West and South Auckland.