Proposed New Road Up For Public Submission
The public now have their chance to have a say on the proposed new road connecting East Tamaki and State Highway 1 and the upgrading of the motorway interchange in Otahuhu.
Notices of Requirement will be publicly notified from March 17. Interested parties will have six weeks to make formal submissions. Manukau City Council and Auckland City Councils say anyone directly affected by the proposed works will be sent a notification pack that will include details of the Notices of Requirement. A full copy of the Notices will also be available at Otara and Otahuhu libraries.
Leigh Auton, Director Environmental Management, says the proposed road will open up job opportunities in East Tamaki and take heavy vehicles of residential roads.
“Over the next 15 years the number of people employed in East Tamaki is expected to double. Eventually there is expected to be an extra 40 000 people living in the area. The new road will meet the demands of this growth, improve access and relieve traffic congestion,” says Mr Auton.
At present the Otahuhu interchange does not meet safe operating standards. The upgraded interchange will improve safety by removing heavy traffic from residential streets and at the same time improve access into East and West Otahuhu.
A
community meeting has been organised for and by residents in
the Wymondley area on 26 March 2001 7pm at the Wymondley
Primary School Hall. A large-scale model of the proposed
works will be available for viewing so residents can
visually see how the road might impact on
them.
Ends
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does
the Otahuhu scheme need to be changed?
The proposed
interchange at Wymondley is only a short distance away from
the existing Otahuhu on and off ramps. Demands on this
section of motorway will increase if the new connection
comes into operation. To ensure the continued safe and
efficient operation of the motorway it is important to
create an improved interchange at Otahuhu.
The Otahuhu interchange does not meet current safe operating standards. Creating a new interchange at Otahuhu will improve safety by directing heavy traffic along Princes St, an existing arterial road, and remove it from several residential streets.
Have people living in the area been
consulted?
Since July 1998 several options have been
extensively reviewed through a process of public
consultation and analysis. This led to a decision by Transit
and Manukau City Council to support the current proposal,
known as option 4(a). This option is expected to provide the
best balance between community needs, economic criteria and
environmental effects.
The consultation process continues, and has now shifted into an important phase. Interested parties now have an opportunity to influence the project by making submissions on the NOR applications.
A number of
resource consent applications will be lodged with the
Auckland Regional Council in the near future. These
applications will also be notified, with submissions invited
from the public.
When could work on this project
begin?
Depending on planning approval, the earliest
likely date for work to begin would be October 2002.
What
will happen to the submission?
Within six to eight weeks
of submissions closing, the Council will write to the
submitter telling them when a hearing will be held. At the
hearing, anyone who has made a submission can speak.
Who
will hear the submissions?
Manukau and Auckland City
Councils will hold a joint hearing. Submissions could be
heard by a panel of councillors, or the Councils may decide
to appoint independent commissioners.
How will a decision
be made?
After the hearing, the Council makes a
recommendation back to the requiring authorities (Transit
and Manukau City Council). This will recommend that the
requiring authorities should confirm (with or without
conditions) or withdraw the requirements.
The requiring
authority makes a decision whether to accept or reject that
recommendation, in whole or part.
The Council must ensure
that everyone who made a submission receives notice of the
decision by the requiring authority.
The Council or any
submitter to the NOR may appeal the decision made by the
requiring authority to the Environment Court.
How long
will this process take?
If there are appeals to the
Environment Court, the process could take well over a
year.
How many properties are affected and how many have been purchased by TransitNZ and MCC in Otahuhu and Otara?
The following properties have been purchased:
Otahuhu
A total of 23 properties have been
purchased.
130 Princes Street which involves 3 vacant
housing sites has also been purchased.
A further 2
properties are currently in negotiation.
Otara
Five
properties have been purchased.
A further three are
currently in negotiation.
Commercial land adjacent to the
motorway.
PROJECT PROPERTY IMPACTS – BASED ON PROPERTY TITLES:
The project has impacts on a number of properties in different ways. Some have been identified as been wholly required (as a mitigation measure), others where there is a partial impact and therefore partial land take, and others that are required during construction for access etc.
Wholly Affected Properties
Otahuhu – 35 ( these
include multi unit developments)
Otara - 21
Partially
Affected
In East Tamaki– 31
In Wymondley/Otara – 7
(includes the school)
In Otahuhu – 30
Construction
Impacts
Otahuhu –
6