Mt Eden Community Liaison Group Minutes
Meeting
Mt Eden Community Liaison Group (CLG)
Date
Wednesday 10 November 2021
Time
5.00pm – 6.30pm
Location
Microsoft Teams Live
Presenters
Helga Sonier, Annie van der Plas, Annabelle Wrigley, Thibaut L'Hopital, Derek Whelan, Nick Adams and John Nottage (Auckland Transport).
CLG Members
9 CLG members attended the meeting virtually.
Agenda: No.
Agenda Item
Presenter
1
Meeting open
Annie van der Plas
2
Welcome and overview
Annie van der Plas
3
Communications & Engagement update
Annie van der Plas
4
Basque Park
Annabelle Wrigley
5
Mt Eden Station site construction update
Thibaut L'Hopital
6
Tunnelling update
Derek Whelan
7
North Auckland Line update
Nick Adams
10
Q&A session
All Presenters
11
Meeting close
Annie van der Plas
1. Welcome and overview
•
Annie van der Plas, Senior Communications & Engagement Advisor welcomed attendees to the virtual Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting and provided helpful tips on how to engage during the virtual meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to share updates on the Link Alliance Mt Eden station construction progress and respond to questions or feedback from CLG members.
2. Communications and engagement •
•
The Mt Eden Communications and Engagement team welcomed our new CLG members, and introduced initiatives the team have been working onto keep our stakeholders up to date and connected with us during lockdown., including the launch of our online construction calendar and our wellness pilot programme. With an increase in weekend and night work through November/December the team told the CLG about a range of solutions to support our stakeholders based on need. Site neighbours are encouraged to stay in touch with the Mt Eden C&E team via phone or email.
3. Basque Park • • • •
•
Annabelle Wrigley, Communications & Engagement Advisor, provided a recap on the wastewater pipe diversion works that have begun in Basque Park. Last month, Mana Whenua representatives held a dawn karakia to bless the park and workers before site set up works began. As part of our works, only 3 trees have been removed rather than the initial plan of 5 trees. The 3 trees will be replaced like for like along the hill with 4 other trees being relocated into temporary spots until construction is complete. Last month residents were asked to fill out a survey about how they currently use the park, and what they would like to see during construction. Feedback included art installations and community events. The team will be installing artwork on the hoardings, additional lighting, seating and picnic tables in the area. Directional drilling for the pipe diversion is set to begin December 2021, with all works expected to be complete by August 2022.
4. Mt Eden Station site construction • • • • •
Thibaut L’Hopital, Mt Eden Station Project Manager advised that the Huia 2 cut over is now complete, despite the setback of August’s Alert Level 4 lockdown. Nikau Street is reopening this week. The team are preparing to install the station building overpass from 17 November, which will then connect to the new North Auckland Line (NAL) platform. The Western trough now has visual progress, allowing people to see an overview of where the City Rail Link platform will be located. The North Auckland Line (NAL) platform has progressed, including construction on the precast of the platform as well as the retaining wall in the rail corridor. Construction is continuing on the Eastern cut and cover tunnels and beginning on the bottom floor of the ventilation building.
5. Tunnelling
• • • • •
Derek Whelan, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and Tunnels Construction Manager, shared the news that our Dame Whina Cooper TBM has now reached Karangahape Station. To date she has travelled 840 metres, installed 519 concrete rings, and excavated 74,000 tonnes of spoil. The TBM has left Karangahape and is now continuing its drive to Aotea Station, the final stop on its first tunnel drive. Supporting activities for the TBM including the spoil conveyor belt, have now resumed and are running 24/7 on the Mt Eden Station construction site. The TBM is anticipated to return to Mt Eden early next year ahead of its drive for the second City Rail Link tunnel. Construction of the mined tunnels also continues with significant progress.
6. North Auckland Line update • • • • • •
Nick Adams, Deputy Construction Manager for the North Auckland Line, talked about the upcoming Blocks of Line (BOL) scheduled for Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 November, Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 December, and Sunday 26 December – Sunday 23 January. An increase in weekend and nightwork is crucial in the lead up to installing and commissioning the new rail track for the single-line-running switch over in January. Track formation is well underway along the 1.3km length of the corridor, with the installation of the new track at either end of the corridor being completed near Dominion Road and Grafton Road. Construction of the foundations for the southern abutment of Normanby Road over-rail bridge commenced earlier this month, with the construction of the two grade separation structures nearing completion. Installation of stormwater drainage within Boston Road and Nugent Street has commenced. The team are raising the road by a few metres so that it meets with the new Normanby Road bridge. Diversion of Huia 2 watermain in Fenton Street is completed and road reinstatement is underway, with the construction of the southern pier of Porters Ave footbridge to commence shortly.
Questions & Answers: Are you engaging with the Auckland Council parks team and the Waitemata local board, in regards to Basque Park? •
We met with both Auckland Council and the Waitemata Local Board before work in the park began. The team have met with the Waitemata Local Board in early October and Basque Park was discussed. The Waitemata local board indicated that their preference is to have twice the number of trees reinstated and they were interested in sustainability and artwork in relation to the park. We are currently exploring options and will keep the Waitemata Local Board informed as well as the Albert Eden Local Board.
I saw drawings before work started showing that the single rail track through your work site would have to be relocated 5 or 6 times during the contract - where is that at now? •
The Western Line (or North Auckland Line) passing through Mt Eden previously ran on a double track, however the team temporarily removed one track to carry out construction activity. We
are currently realigning and constructing the previously removed track, once that is complete, we will switch the rail line and begin to work on the other track. After this process, the double rail track will be operational.
It appears that there's quite a sharp turn in the eastern northern line from the Porters Ave block of the North Eden Apartments complex. Won't this create a lot of wheel noise? •
We don’t expect it to cause a great amount of wheel noise, however we will get feedback from our Track Alignment Designers and our Acoustic Consultants so we can respond to this question in more detail.
Can you walk me through the Mt Eden Station on how to catch the train to the city and also to catch the train to Henderson. What I am wanting to know is how you get to each train and are they outside or inside? •
•
The North Eden Station is at the fork of where the existing line splits to enter into the tunnel, if you were planning to travel West you could choose the first train coming out of the tunnel from the city. This train would take you through the trough, which will connect to the existing rail line and travel West. However, you could also travel West by catching the train from the East coming from Newmarket Station. If you were wanting to travel to the city, you’re only option is to use an escalator or elevator down to the trough. There you will catch the train that will travel through the tunnel into the city.
With extended working hours and residents working from home. Have you considered a quiet time of say 30 min during the day where people can open doors and windows for fresh air? •
There are periodic times throughout the day that are quieter which we are communicating through the use of our construction calendar, notifications, 0800 phone number, and emails. We have outlined bespoke respite mitigations that we have to support neighbours throughout our work activity.
When does construction start on the Fenton footbridge outside Station R? •
We are currently reconfirming our programme in the area, however this will be an activity that we are looking to begin late 2022 or early 2023.
When will City Rail Link work with its partners on development plans for sites around the station, and when will this be completed and made publicly available? •
The Urban Realm partnership with Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Kainga Ora Housing, who are developing the areas around our direct Urban Realm proximity, is ongoing and we are
sharing information as it becomes available In the terms of City Rail Link’s area of Urban Realm development, we are currently planning public engagement in December, previously planned for October but postponed due to Covid-19.
This CLG Presentation is available on the City Rail Link website with all other Mt Eden CLG presentations and minutes. The next CLG meeting date for early 2022 is to be confirmed.