MEDIA RELEASE

6 September 2002

Eastern corridor: Council prepares for possible next

Auckland City will begin advertising tomorrow for expressions of interest from companies or consortia who would want to be considered if the next phase of planning for an eastern transport corridor is tendered.

Auckland City’s transport planning manager, Janine Bell, says the council is expected to decide at the end of October if it will proceed with a more detailed assessment for the corridor.

Such a decision would trigger the second stage of the eastern transport corridor study. This would be a detailed assessment of how the transport facility would be delivered – for example, the exact route; whether tunnels and bridges are included to minimise environmental and community impacts; and how best to access local communities. It would also include preparing an assessment of environmental impacts and would include comprehensive consultation with the affected residents as well as with the wider Auckland and Manukau communities.

“The aim of the second stage would be to be ready to begin statutory designation and resource consent processes by late 2003. It is also the stage when formal and detailed consultation would take place, and where all options for particular segments of the corridor would be considered.”

Janine Bell says the work involved would take a year and require an enormous range of professional expertise to take planning to a stage where the council could begin the statutory processes.

“With the large number of projects currently being advanced in Auckland, the council is alerting potential consultancies to this project by calling for statements of interest and ability from companies in New Zealand and Australia.

“ The process will tell us who has the capabilities to undertake the project, if it goes ahead.”

The next step, if the council approves, would be to seek detailed proposals from a shortlist of proponents.

ENDS

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