Media advisory:

SH20 Manukau Harbour crossing project decisions

2 July, 2007

The joint hearings panel on the Transit NZ – SH20 Manukau Harbour Crossing Project has released its report, recommendations and decisions.

Commissioners representing Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council and Manukau City Council have made three sets of decisions.

* Auckland City Council commissioners have recommended that Transit modify the Notice of Requirement. Suggested modifications include changing the design of the Gloucester Park interchange and improving pedestrian access between the Onehunga town centre and foreshore across the motorway.

Commissioners have given approval, subject to conditions, to an application by Transit for the proposed use of reclaimed land. This is in line with the ARC commissioners’ views on the extent of the reclamation.

* Auckland Regional Council commissioners have made a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation relating to one application for reclamation along the Onehunga foreshore. That recommendation is to grant a reduced area to that initially proposed.

The commissioners also made decisions on 16 other applications by Transit concerning other works in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), occupation of structures in the CMA, discharges into the CMA, earthworks and streamworks.

Commissioners have given approval, with conditions, to 14 of 16 applications. Two consents relating to the relocation of the Aotea Sea Scouts have been declined. This effectively requires further consideration to be given to possible sites for the relocation of this community group. This decision is reflected in both the recommendation to the Minister of Conservation on the extent of the reclamation and in the Auckland City Council decision in relation to the extent of land use consent.

* Manukau City Council has made a recommendation in respect of the Notice of Requirement to designate further land to Transit.

Commissioners have confirmed Transit’s proposal for the section of SH20 between Walmsley Rd and the bridge, subject to conditions.

The panel’s chair, ARC councillor Dianne Glenn, thanked Transit and the 127 submitters.

“This is a large, multi-faceted infrastructure project. The outcomes must balance the strategic importance of the Manukau Harbour crossing with environmental and community concerns, particularly about the amenity of the Onehunga foreshore. For all the complexities, it is important that the region gets it right.”

Transit’s proposed upgrade of 5km of SH20 between Queenstown and Walmsley Rds aims to increase the capacity over the Manukau Harbour and improve connections to arterial routes.

The project is considered a key part of the overall ‘western ring route’ which will relieve congestion on the central motorway network and provide an alternative route to SH1 between Manukau, Auckland and Waitakere cities.

It involves duplicating the existing bridge across the Manukau, motorway widening including a bus lane shoulder, interchange improvements and ancillary works.

The hearing began on March 21 and convened for 10 days before closing on May 7.

Commissioners representing the Auckland Regional Council, Minister of Conservation, Auckland City Council and Manukau City Council have now released the results of their deliberations to Transit.

The applicant and parties will now consider the report.

Transit has 30 working days to decide whether it accepts or rejects recommendations on the designation from Auckland and Manukau city councils. Should Transit reject the recommendations, the councils and submitters have 15 working days to notify Transit of any appeals to the Environment Court.

In respect to other consents, the applicant and parties have 15 working days to appeal to the Environment Court.

Copies of all reports have been posted to submitters and are also available from the front counter of the ARC, and on the ARC website:
http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/about-arc/agendas-minutes/hearings.cfm

ENDS

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