Mt Eden Community Liaison Group Minutes
Meeting
Mt Eden Community Liaison Group (CLG)
Date
Wednesday 8 September 2021
Time
5.00pm – 6.30pm
Location
Microsoft Teams Live
Presenting Team
Helga Sonier, Annie van der Plas, Annabelle Wrigley, Thibaut L'Hopital, Derek Whelan, Nick Adams, Simon Lough, Alexandra Scouller, Cameron Ritter, Alan Whiteley, Kate Cumberpatch (Eke Panuku Development Auckland) and John Nottage (Auckland Transport).
CLG Members
17 CLG members attended the meeting virtually.
Agenda: No.
Agenda Item
Presenter
1
Meeting open
Helga Sonier
2
Welcome and overview
Helga Sonier
3
Communications & Engagement update
Helga Sonier
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
8
Draft Urban Design Delivery Works Plan (DWP)
Simon Lough
9
Eke Panuku Development Auckland
Kate Cumberpatch
10
Q&A session
All Presenters
11
Meeting close
Helga Sonier
1. Welcome and overview •
Helga Sonier, Mt Eden Community Manager welcomed attendees to the virtual Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting and provided helpful tips on how to engage with the virtual meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to share updates from the Link Alliance Mt Eden station construction progress as well as our Urban Design Delivery Works Plan (DWP). Eke Panuku Development Auckland were also in attendance to share an update on future development of the area.
2. Communications & Engagement update •
• • •
The Mt Eden Communications and Engagement Team launched a Wellbeing Pilot Programme in August, opening a wellness space at Cityside Church to provide a quiet area for our local residents and businesses to work and study from. In addition to this, we have been hosting sessions of mindfulness and meditation for the community, which have been moved online during lockdown. Helga shared data showing increasing participation in the programme. We had a blessing and opening of Normanby Road Temporary Services Bridge. The team have made improvements to our work notifications and have introduced an online calendar that showcases upcoming works taking place outside of our regular site activity. The team are currently working with the Uptown Business Association to deliver a spring event.
3. Basque Park • • • • • •
Annabelle Wrigley, Communications & Engagement Advisor provided a brief summary on the wastewater pipe diversion works that will begin in Basque Park later this year. As part of creating the new City Rail Link lines, we need to relocate some pipework – redirecting to a nearby interconnection that is within Basque Park. These works will take place by Couldry Street and Rendall Place, and is expected to take 12 months. To communicate these works, the team have delivered 400 flyers and letters to close residents including project information and invitations to drop-in events at Te Manawa. The team held two public information sessions on a Thursday evening and Saturday morning. A small number of close residents attended, and no major concerns were raised. The consent application has now been approved and the landowner approval forms have been submitted. Later this month we will be launching an online consultation with Basque Park neighbours to find out what they want to see in their park during construction, and how they would like to hear from us.
4. Mt Eden Station site construction update
• • • • • • •
Thibaut L’Hopital, Mt Eden Station Project Manager advised that all civil construction activity has been paused during Covid-19 alert level 4. He provided an update on the main works that were happening prior to alert level 4, and upcoming works for when we enter alert level 3. Work for the Huia II watermain diversion is underway near the intersection of Nikau and Korari Streets. The station building foundation works are taking place, this involves pouring the first foundation for the future overpass bridge that will cross over the track. The construction of the ventilation building is under way, this involves constructing the first slab for the first portion of the ventilation building in front of Nikau Street. The construction of the precast element of the North Auckland Line platform is 80% completed, the team have begun to backfill behind it. The construction of the eastern facing tunnels are underway. Provided an August Drone image of the Mt Eden construction site to show the location of where each main work will be occurring.
5. Tunnelling update • • • • • • •
Derek Whelan, TBM Tunnels Construction Manager advised that 24/7 shifts for operating the TBM were underway prior to alert level 4. City Rail Link received government approval for the TBM team to then continue to operate with reduced capacity under alert level 4. The progress of the TBM at that point in time was that 245 rings had been installed, 393 metres travelled, and 32,750 tonnes of spoil had been excavated. The team have installed a permanent overland conveyor belt and spoil basin shed across the Mt Eden construction site and additional noise mitigation measures have been installed to mitigate noise for nightworks. Provided an image of the inside the mine cavern looking back onto the Mt Eden site, which outlined the location of the ventilation cassette, conveyor belt, and service pipes. Provided an image from the back of the TBM looking towards the front of the TBM, which outlined one of our Multi Service Vehicles (MSV) delivering the tunnel segments and other equipment needed to maintain the TBM moving forward. Provided a map image of the TBM’s progress and route, the TBM is currently located on Symonds Street heading towards the central motorway junction. Once the TBM has passed the central motorway junction, then the TBM will be heading towards Karangahape Station. The Mined Tunnels team were also working 24 hours a day and 5 days a week prior to alert level 4, with the MC50 tunnel excavation being completed in July. The team are now excavating the MC50/20 cavern to prepare for the second TBM drive.
6. North Auckland Line update • • •
Nick Adams, Deputy Construction Manager for the North Auckland Line provided key updates for the eastern end and western end of the North Auckland Line. The Temporary Service Bridge (TSB) opened for pedestrians in July to allow level crossing to be closed and construction of road-over-rail bridge to commence. The foundations for road-over-rail bridge are complete, with the excavation beneath the bridge and installation of precast beams upcoming.
• • • • • • • • • •
The foundations for the Eastern Grade Separation (dive structure) are nearing completion and construction of its roof is underway. The new down main passes over the roof of this structure. The team have commenced underground services installation on Normanby Road and Boston Road. Progressive parking removal on Normanby Road is required. Provided image of the construction of the new down main, to provide context to how the down main will be beneath the road-over-rail bridge. Provided an image of the construction of the new road-over-rail bridge, outlining that they have to construct the bridge in two halves due to there being a live train track. Provided an image of the roof and foundations of the new diaphragm wall structure, the team will begin to excavate beneath the roof. Provided an image of the silos on the Mt Eden construction site, which contain bentonite that is used to support the diaphragm walls excavation. The ‘cut-over’ of the new Huia 2 watermain in Fenton Street is to be undertaken shortly, and the team are clearing way for installation of the foundations for the new footbridge. The construction of the abutment of Porters Ave footbridge is now complete, allowing construction of the ‘signalling room’ to begin This is the equipment which controls the train movements and is the ‘brains of the rail network.’ The construction of the Western Grade Separation (dive structure) is progressing well, the new down main passes over the roof of this structure. Provided image of the northern abutment of the new Porters Ave footbridge, which outlined the signalling room.
7. Draft Urban Design Delivery Works Plan (DWP) Alexandra Scouller, Planner provided a brief overview of the draft Urban Design Delivery Work Plan (DWP). The objective of the Urban Design DWP is to enable the integration of the CRL’s permanent works into the surrounding landscape and urban design context. • •
The Urban Design DWP includes both the public realm design and the station design in accordance with the CRL designation conditions. The role of the CLG includes providing feedback on the development of the draft Urban Design DWP, which will be submitted to Auckland Council in November 2021.
Simon Lough, Interface Design Manager addressed comments that had been raised in the previous Urban Realm CLG that was held in June. •
• • •
In regard to walking connections, there is an opportunity for a more direct connection to Symonds Street, and a clear walkway to the station from the main roads. However, the pedestrian access from Fenton Street bridge into the Mt Eden Station is not part of the Link Alliance scope to deliver. In regard to cycling provision, Link Alliance will continue to provide 25 bike racks. In regard to utilities, planting and maintenance, Link Alliance is contracted to care for the station and its immediate surrounds. The existing powerlines and poles are not in the Link Alliance scope, and there will be CCTV surrounding the station entrance. Provided a map image of the Link Alliance scope area including the Mt Eden Station precinct, Eastern Facing Connection and Western Facing Connection.
Cameron Ritter, Architecture Lead introduced the creation story and linewide concept. • • •
The Māori Creation story has influenced all three station designs, including a sky element (Ranginui), threshold element (Atua), fourth element (Te Kore), and earth element (Papatuanuku). Throughout the Mt Eden station precinct, cultural narratives are expressed through the Fenton Street bridge, Threshold Pare, Ruru Street bridge, Water Wall, Ventilation Headhouse, and the Station Forecourt. The Ventilation Building will have references of Te Ha (the breath), which speaks to the Ventilation building’s role in housing the Tunnel Ventilation System that ‘breathes’ for the tunnels.
Alan Whiteley, Urban Realm Lead introduced the Public Realm Design. •
• • •
The western accessible route will be a service lane, that includes designs influenced by Mana Whenua and geology systems. The design includes bespoke seating arrangements, boulders to ensure pedestrian safety, Pohutukawa trees, chain fences surrounding private plots, and cycle racks with space for 50 bikes. The Korari Street extension will include a one-way loop system that comes off Shaddock Street, to cater for drop offs. There will also be four accessibility car parks. The bridge barriers have been designed with artist Graham Tipene, this will include concrete motifs on the outward facing rail side and steel motifs for the pedestrian side. The Fenton Street bridge will incorporate carving designs. As well as the NAL Western facing connection will focus on local lava ecology of Maungawhau.
8. Eke Panuku Development Auckland – Future development Kate Cumberpatch, from Eke Panuku Development Auckland introduced the CRL Maungawhau and Karangahape precinct development programme and outcomes. • • •
The precinct programmes around Mt Eden Station and Karangahape Station include opportunities for Auckland Council projects (connections, open spaces) and private development. However, precinct challenges also include planning and infrastructure investment. The development programme includes foundation outcomes for environmental vitality and climate action, Mana Whenua partnership, homes, accessibility, economic & social well-being, and value realisation. Outlined the potential development opportunity around the future Mt Eden Station, as there is 3.2 ha of CRLL landholding and 0.47 ha for Kainga Ora. In total, this provides opportunity for 700+ homes and 25,000sqm commercial.
Questions & Answers:
The proposed road into the station takes you up Ruru Street to Mt Eden Road, does this not take you to New North Road? •
Ruru Street extension is the service lane and cycle/pedestrian route that will connect from Ruru Street (which is off New North Road), past the Station entrance and up to Mt Eden Road.
Does the proposed station covering allow for strong winds blowing across the tracks and carrying the rain? •
The proposed canopy covers are the ‘normal’ type of coverage you currently get on existing rail networks. They do provide coverage, however in worse weather conditions you may need move to the other side of the platform.
In the last CLG, there was a comment about whether you would consider an entry to the Mt Eden Station from the Symonds Street corner, as that area is a social hub and natural heart to Uptown. Will Eke Panuku or Kainga Ora Development teams look at this further? •
Eke Panuku will look at this further in collaboration with the relevant agencies.
The Eastern facing connection on Boston Road previously had 17 Myrtle trees and currently only 3 trees have been proposed as a replacement. Is there any reason why the parking cannot be interspersed with tree planting, similar to the new developments at the viaduct where trees and parking coexist. •
Link Alliance can only replace trees in their scope of works, and trees have been removed due to services underneath. The trees and landscaping are within the rail corridor which is not within the development sites for Eke Panuku, therefore this is more relevant for Auckland Transport who will look into this.
Are Eke Panuku considering developing assets beyond housing e.g. schools or a community space? •
Eke Panuku are in discussions with the Ministry of Education, however it has been identified that there is no need for additional schools in this location. There is a need for community facilities and early childhood care and this is currently being looked at.
Auckland Transport are currently reviewing Symonds Street and New North Road in terms of the design and flow, are City Rail Link or Eke Panuku inputting into this process? •
•
Auckland Transport’s connected communities are currently seeking engagement on New North Road, and for consultation on Mt Eden Road to occur this year. This is to anticipate the needs of the rail network, what Mt Eden station will bring to the area, and how the road corridor can serve that area. Eke Panuku have had initial meetings with the connected communities project and they are currently working with project team. City Rail Link have also been involved.
It looks like a long walk from the Fenton Street bridge to the Mt Eden station entrance, can the route be made more direct? •
Auckland Transport is looking at the option of creating an additional stairway only connection, from the Fenton Street over bridge to the North Auckland Line platforms. This is a separate project led by Auckland Transport, who will provide an update in the future when they have more details.
Please clarify the access to and from the Mt Eden Station using the Fenton Street bridge. The presenter said that it was a fire exit only, however I understand this is to be formal station access route. •
The original designs were fire access only from the Bridge to the Station, however after hearing the feedback from the community the team have investigated further. As above, Auckland Transport are looking at creating a stairway only connection.
Please clarify the ownership of the land? •
The ownership of the land isn’t so important, it is more about the development opportunity that Eke Panuku have direct control over. This is the land that we will be able to seek private development on and is outlined in the slides.
Why does the commencement of construction retail and commercial have to wait until Mt Eden station is completed? •
It is largely focused around how the site is needed to be used for construction. Once the TBM tunnels are finished, we still have civil construction activity that needs to occur which makes it difficult to share the land for construction of future development to begin.
The Eke Panuku slides show a different connection between Ngahura and Ruru street, have you considered a shorter journey instead of going up Ngahura Street just to go down Ruru Street. •
There are further designs to be completed, Eke Panuku will keep working on this connection in the coming year to finalise the connection.
Are you coordinating with Vector's OHUG programme to underground the power reticulation? •
No indication at this stage, team to investigate.
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 is to be confirmed.