City Rail Link (CRL) – Maungawhau Precinct CLG
MINUTES
Rā Date: 24 July 2024
Wā Time: 5.30pm – 7:00pm
Wāhi Location: Training room, Te Manawa, 1 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Attendees:
Project representative Title
Kumaran Nair (KN) CRL Project Manager
Lily Boyask (LB) CRL Stakeholder and Communications Advisor
Rachel Blundell (RB) CRL Senior Communications and Stakeholder Manager
Simon Lough (SL) CRL Design and Delivery Manager
Richard Jenkins (RJ) CRL Principal Planner
Alice Ge (AG) CRL Principal Planner
Helga Sonier (HS) LA Maungawhau Station Community Manager
Anushka Aranha (AA) LA Stakeholder Advisor
Rebecca Hendl-Smith (RH) LA Senior Community Advisor
Marty Jones (MJ) Eke Panuku Communications
Frith Walker (FW) Eke Panuku Placemaking
Kate Cumberpatch (KC) Eke Panuku Priority Location Director
Siobhan O’Donovan (SD) AT Principal Communications
James Wickham (JW) AT Transport Operations Continuity Manager
CLG members & attendees
Julie Marianne
Julie-Ann Ginny
David Richard N
Brian Craig
Laura Graeme
Luke Peter
Martin Yumie
Masina Kelvin
Megan Diana
Brent Christina
Liv Alex
Clara Richard B
ITEM UPDATE/ACTIONS
1 Welcome – Rachel Blundell
• HS welcomes attendees, performs karakia, and explains that this CLG is being run by City Rail Link Ltd, separate to the usual CLGs which are run by Link Alliance.
• RB begins introductions, ensuring all staff from CRL Ltd, Eke Panuku and Auckland Transport introduce themselves.
2 Project overview – Rachel Blundell
• RB provides an overview of the evening by going through the agenda and stating the roles and responsibilities of all organisations:
o Link Alliance is delivering most of the urban realm work
o CRL Ltd is delivering an additional package of urban realm work within the CRL Maungawhau Precinct
o Eke Panuku is responsible for the development sites within the precinct
o Auckland Transport manages the transport network, station operations, parking, loading and servicing and connections to public transport
o Kāinga Ora are working alongside Eke Panuku to potentially develop two of the development sites for housing
• The CRL Maungawhau Precinct project is introduced as a pedestrian and cycle link between Mt Eden Road and Shaddock Street and Maungawhau Station.
• RB explains that CRL Ltd are seeking community input into the detailed design phase of this project via the Link Alliance Maungawhau CLG.
No questions
3 Community input through planning processes – Alice Ge
• AG provides an overview of the planning documents that need to be prepared
• The only document that is new information and therefore requires community input is the Urban Design Delivery Work Plan (UDDWP).
• The draft UDDWP will be circulated in August to the CLG for formal feedback.
• The proposed link needs to provide good access and connection to the station
• As part of the consultation process, AG explains that CRL Ltd will also engage with Mana Whenua for their feedback and input.
Question in response to an image of a map of the project area: Why is there a new entrance to the station?
RB: This is covered in the upcoming slides
4 Eke Panuku update – Kate Cumberpatch and Frith Walker
• KC explains that Eke Panuku is a Council Controlled Organisation which is responsible for looking after development sites and is not a developer. Eke Panuku is responsible for how the development sites within Maungawhau Precinct will be developed. Market conditions for seeking developers are not currently favourable, but later Eke Panuku will seek developers for the Maungawhau Precinct sites.
• Eke Panuku’s six Foundation Outcomes were defined in collaboration with the Local Board and Mana Whenua, and were presented to the CLG.
Question: As there is going to be delay between the opening of the CRL station and the development of the sites, has the safety of people walking to the station been considered?
KC: This has been considered and teams are starting to work on plans for that interim period now.
5 CRL Ltd Maungawhau Precinct Project: What we’re proposing – Simon Lough
• SL begins by explaining the urban realm that is currently being delivered by Link Alliance, including the approx. eight-metre wide Ruru Lane and shared renders of Ruru Lane, the station plaza and Korari Street Extension.
Question: Where will the bus connection be?
SL: The closest bus stops are located on Mt Eden Road and New North Road.
Question: Does this mean buses won’t go direct to the station?
SL: Yes.
Question: How far is the distance from the bus to the station?
SL: It is 150m down the new pedestrian and cycle link and approx. 80m along Shaddock Street.
Question: Will there be access to the station from Ruru Lane in the future?
SL: When the adjacent block is developed, ultimately no, this will become a service lane for the building on that block.
Question, referring to map: Is that a ramp going down to the area with the wheelchair icon?
SL: Yes, the new link is gently sloped meaning it will provide universal access to the station.
Question: Is there a way I can find out the distance from Maungawhau Station to my work vs the distance to Grafton Station?
Answer: (Post meeting note) You can estimate 80m from Mt Eden Road along Shaddock Street to the station entry and then add that to your distance from home to Shaddock and Mt Eden.
Question: Why isn’t there a direct entrance to the station from Mt Eden Road?
Answer: (Post meeting note) Currently access to the station directly from Mt Eden Road along Ruru Lane is being developed and will be available between the time that Link Alliance completes work and CRL undertakes works. Later, the direct access to the station entrance will be from Shaddock Street.
ITEM UPDATE/ACTIONS
Question: Train stations have multiple entrances overseas – why do we not have multiple accesses?
SL: The station has been designed to AT’s requirements. The stairway from the Western Line platform to Mt Eden Road and the stairway to Fenton Street Bridge are only for emergency egress. They are not universally accessible so cannot be main entranceways. Additionally, the station building is the best main entrance because it will be staffed and secure.
Question: Will there be any grass/reserve space in the empty development blocks?
SL: Currently the blocks will be left as compacted gravel for Eke Panuku.
Comment: As long as they look tidy. The development sites should not look like vacant sites.
Question: Will there be pedestrian access from the other streets? Korari/Flower/Nikau?
SL: Yes, there will be footpaths either side of all streets connecting to Shaddock Street and through to the main entrance.
Question: The reason we don’t have direct access to Maungawhau Station from Mt Eden Road down Ruru Lane anymore is because it has gone to the development site?
SL: Ruru Lane provides a servicing solution for the adjacent development site, and for maintaining the station, but it is undesirable as a pedestrian access as it will be located between the rail line and the back of a building (once developed). There are CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) concerns with this lane for pedestrian access.
Question: Isn’t it unsafe having only one entrance/exit point to Maungawhau Station?
SL: No, in an emergency there are multiple accesses and exits
Question: How do we give feedback to AT about not having multiple entrances?
SL: Feedback is being noted during the CLG. AT is also present at the CLG to hear feedback.
Comment: The stairs between the platform and Mt Eden Road may not be accessible to everyone, but they should be usable by people who want to use them.
Question: The main access link between the station entrance and Mt Eden Road is uncovered. Will this mean you get drenched walking from the bus to the station?
KC: There will likely be some canopies provided by buildings as part of the adjacent Eke Panuku led development sites.
SL: Covering the entire length of the link is unrealistic – especially because we don’t know yet what the development will be like. It is common in Auckland that the areas between bus stops and train stations are not completely covered.
Question: Why do buses not go direct to the station?
SL: The area around the station is meant to be a pedestrian focused area, rather than having throughtraffic with the potential for rat-running.
ITEM UPDATE/ACTIONS
Question: Why does it seem like the station design has not considered the people who will use it? It is very far away from where people are and when people travel to the station they will be rained on.
JW: Maungawhau Station isn’t intended to be a popular bus to rail transfer location due to both services generally travelling in the same direction (city centre) The station is planned as a place you travel to, rather than through.
SL: Part of its design is in preparation for people who will be moving in after development.
Question: What are the provisions for trees and shade cover? Where can you plant trees? It would be best to plant trees early along the link.
SL: Currently in our proposal there are some trees planted along Shaddock Street next to the grass area covering the tunnel portal. However, tree planting could be extended to the link we are building.
• SL presented on the grass area and potential development block E.
Question: Is Block E a development block?
SL: Yes.
Question: So, the park won’t be that big?
SL: The grassed area isn’t a park so as not to preclude future development opportunities.
KC: The sloped area is a very difficult site to develop as it is very steep.
Question: The best outcome for that steep site would be a building that had escalators so people could get up to Nikau easily and undercover. Is it being designated as reserve?
Simon: No, it is not being designated as a reserve. It could become anything.
Comment: Like the idea of more green spaces. There is an opportunity for fun e.g., food trucks, coffee carts.
• RB presented on construction effects and management. These will all be similar to what is currently taking place by Link Alliance.
• RB presented on next steps and explained CRL Ltd are taking feedback for the UDDWP. Once the UDDWP has been drafted it will be circulated for formal feedback.
• Construction is anticipated to finish before CRL opens in 2026.
6 Questions/comments
Question: When does the 10 working days to provide feedback start from?
RB: The 10 days start from the day the UDDWP is circulated.
Question: Will this be emailed?
RB: Yes, the UDDWP will be emailed. The presentation and minutes will also be available online, and attendees will be notified when they are uploaded.
ITEM UPDATE/ACTIONS
Question: Does AT have the budget to fix up the streets?
JW: There is a programme of renewals work. The surrounding streets will be renewed/resealed.
Question: Does this include Ngahura Street?
JW: LA will be resurfacing some of Ngahura Street.
Question: When will the streets be fixed?
JW: The programme for renewals will be related to the parking management plan, which is starting design this month. This will include footpath work. There will be public consultation on the design prior to any changes.
Concern over illegal parking and perceived lack of action from AT.
JW: Parking enforcement is difficult in this area because of temporary works and temporary traffic management. AT won’t enforce parking unless they are called, and then even if AT is called, they cannot always do anything about it if there is temporary traffic management in place.
Concern over all-day parking in loading zone on Porters Ave.
JW offered to meet with the resident afterwards to resolve this.
Question: Kāinga Ora were supposed to develop two sites in the precinct. Given the government’s approach to funding KO, what is going to happen now?
KC: Eke Panuku is responsible for the development sites within the precinct. Kāinga Ora own one of the sites and are still through development options.
Question: Are there going to be design controls on the development blocks?
KC: Eke Panuku created a set of Development Outcomes in collaboration with the Local Board and Mana Whenua. These are the outcomes that developers will need to follow in developer agreements.
RJ: The developments will also have to go through their own RMA consenting processes.
Comment: The staircase between Mt Eden Road and the Western Line platform only gives you access to one platform – so if you wanted to access the other platform, you are better to go into Maungawhau Station.
Question: Is there still going to be a footpath along the railway?
SL: That is Ruru Lane, the service access that will be closed to the public.
Question: Is Ruru Lane still going to be useable in the meantime?
SL: Access down Ruru Lane depends on the development process.
JW: Access to Maungawhau Station from Mt Eden Road must be maintained, so if it is the only access available it will be open for the public.
Concern over the ongoing construction disruption for nearby businesses, especially regarding construction traffic needing access to the development sites.
ITEM UPDATE/ACTIONS
Question: Looking back to when the old Mt Eden Station was operating, there was often a large volume of people waiting at bus stops on Mt Eden Road. Will there be enough space for them on the footpath when the new station opens?
SL: Yes – the footpath now is deeper on Mt Eden Road and there will be a double set of bus shelters. In addition, the new pedestrian and cycle link is more than 12 metres wide so plenty of space for people coming to and from the station.
Question: What is anticipated for Nikau Street?
SL: Nikau Street will be put back to how it was with nicer footpaths.
Question: Are you considering making Nikau Street a shared space?
SL: No, it will be put back to how it was.
Question: Seems inconsistent having no bus access to the station, but allowing traffic through?
SL: The area is not open for through traffic, only a short one-way route for drop-offs/pick-ups and access to residential and commercial properties.
Question: It seems that there is access into the area, but not through, which seems odd?
JW: It is to discourage people from driving through the area and to encourage the pedestrian focus. However, in the interim there needs to be way to get construction traffic into the sites, so there is access in for this reason.
Question: The top part of Shaddock Street where the steep walkway joins Mt Eden Road isn’t related to this project?
SL: No, but separately we are talking with AT about ways to make that walkway nicer as a link to the station.
Question: Is there any work on setting up the framework for making everything in the precinct cohesive?
KC: Yes, Eke Panuku’s Precinct Development Plan sets out a framework for the precinct It is available on Eke Panuku’s website. Cohesiveness will come when the developers come on board. It’s likely there will be a group set up with all development partners and EP involved to work on this
Question: Why was the link not joined with Shaddock Street in a T-junction shape, instead of the curve it is in the map?
SL: Partly the design was because this link is only for pedestrians and cyclists, partly it was so it could link with the green space, and partly it is because it aligns with where the tunnel runs underneath.