We’re continuing our work to develop preferred routes and options for transport projects in the North West, North Auckland, Warkworth and South Auckland as well as investigate the land in and around these project areas.
There is still a lot of planning work to do and the preferred options for these projects have still not been confirmed. We still need to undertake further detailed investigations and engagement with key stakeholders and, given the impacts of COVID-19 on communities, this means consultation will not take place this year.
The next step is to undertake more detailed investigations for all projects. To date we have identified general study areas and options that require further consideration and refinement.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue our environmental and technical assessments and talk to local property owners, developers and key community stakeholders. This will help us make decisions to confirm the preferred options.
Our planning work will continue to integrate with other long-term transport projects being delivered by Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency as well as Auckland Council’s land use plans including the Silverdale West Dairy Flat Industrial Area Structure Plan(external link) and the Warkworth Structure Plan(external link) to support future growth for these areas.
We’re progressing the Detailed Business Case for all North West projects including the proposed Alternative State Highway. We’ve used feedback received from landowners, stakeholders and the community from our consultation in early 2021 to help inform our preferred routes. We expect to submit the Detailed Business Case to Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for approval between late-2021 and early-2022.
The next phase of work is to carry out more environmental and technical assessments to confirm the land needed for these future projects.
We expect to be able to share more detail on the preferred routes next year and consult directly with potentially affected landowners about what this may mean for their properties. We will then take the necessary steps to protect the land needed for the future construction of all projects – this will be done through a process called Notice of Requirement (designation). We expect this process to be underway from mid-late 2022.
We’re continuing to progress rail transport projects through the business case process towards route protection:
To support the future demand for passenger trains, freight, and trains to Hamilton the Government’s New Zealand Upgrade Programme has provided funding for three new train stations for southern Auckland.
The planning approvals for new stations at Drury Central and Paerata are being processed using the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track consenting) Act 2020. Find out more on the Environmental Protection Authority website(external link). Further work is being undertaken for the Drury West station and we’re looking to lodge the Notice of Requirement (NoR) and resource consents early-2022 via the traditional Resource Management Act process.
KiwiRail is delivering the new train stations at Drury Central, Drury West and Paerata as part of the Auckland Metro Programme(external link). Subject to planning approvals, it is expected all three stations will be completed by late 2025.
We’re also investigating the feasibility of projects and key routes still in development, including:
We’re looking at improving the safety of a number of level crossings and we’re also investigating a number of options for new Frequent Transit Network (FTN) routes that will use existing arterial roads to connect Manukau, Puhinui, Takaanini, Drury and Papakura town centres, and the new train stations in Drury and Paerata.
During the next phase of development work, the project teams will develop options. We will be able to provide an update and share more information next year.
During the next phase of development work, the project team will assess the feasibility for the Pukekohe Expressway and connections including reviewing low-carbon alternatives while still providing more reliable connections for future communities. We will be able to provide an update and share more information next year.
There is significant work to do to look at this ring route and the options that could make this connection. Our next step is to complete desktop studies and share our findings with stakeholders and landowners for feedback. We will be able to provide an update next year.
The ongoing COVID-19 situation is difficult, and we appreciate that the priority for everyone is to stay safe.
In line with the Government’s response to COVID-19 and to ensure we put the safety of our communities and teams first, we’re still unable to carry out face-to-face conversations. As the situation evolves we’ll continue to keep you informed when we have information to share.
If you have any questions about this update, please contact us using one of our zero-contact options below: