new ground feature AT pushes ahead with new roading network designations

A route protection strategy for future transport networks in Warkworth has been approved by the board of Auckland Transport.

As well, it has released an initial $5.6 million for route protection, subject to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency Board approval of the Warkworth Detailed Business Case and a funding contribution from them.

An estimated 19 full properties and part of a further 217 properties will be needed for the recommended network.

The project is being coordinated by the Supporting Growth Alliance, which estimates it will cost $38 million for early property purchases (property hardship risk), which means there will be a funding shortfall of close to $32 million, although developers are expected to contribute one-third of the total network cost. It says this shortfall is being addressed.

The new network includes the long-awaited western link road, which will link State Highway 1 near McKinney Road to the Matakana link road on SH1; a Matakana Road to Sandspit Road link; and a wider western link road, which will traverse the development to the south of Warkworth, in the vicinity of Valerie Close.

At a Warkworth Liaison Group meeting this month, concerns were raised about both the inner western link and the Sandspit link.

One Mahurangi co-chair Dave Stott said the proposed western link road route would cut-off some industrial zoned land from the existing industrial area, and made no sense. He also had concerns about the chosen route for the Sandspit link road, but said the Supporting Growth Alliance was showing little interest in taking on board community concerns.

Meanwhile, Notices of Requirements (NoRs), which will protect land designated for the new roading network, were expected to be lodged with Auckland Council this month with public notification of the NoRs in August. Hearings and appeals were expected to be resolved by the end of next year.

The Warkworth Detailed Business Case assumes that the central parts of the new network will be delivered over the next 10 years, the south-west completed by 2033-2038, and north-east by 2038-43.

The AT board was told that delaying or not proceeding with route protection was not recommended, given the pressure for greenfield growth in Warkworth, the risk of build-out and the potential for long-term cost increase risk for AT when these projects were delivered in the future. “Not implementing the network would result in reliance on private vehicle travel, increased delays and queues on the existing SH1, Matakana Road and Sandspit Road corridors, reduced network resilience and negative outcomes for safety, urban form and active travel,” the report said.

It also stated that passenger rail to Auckland as a long list option was considered in the early investigations, through use of the existing North Auckland Line (NAL) or a rail spur to Warkworth. This option was ruled out due to long journey times and high capital and operating costs.

“The recommended network does not preclude passenger rail in the future, which could be accessed by park and ride or bus services.”

The Supporting Growth report said modelling identified there would be a nine per cent reduction in Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKTs) in 2048 as a result of the Strategic Transport Network compared to the baseline network, and an emissions reduction of 1296 tonnes per year over 60 years compared to the baseline.

“Long-term resilience has also been a focus of the business case processes. The design accommodates 1-in-100 year flooding, and flood modelling has been assessed at 2.1 degrees warming and 16 per cent increase in rainfall events based on guidance from council.”

The recommended strategic transport network was developed in collaboration with AT, Waka Kotahi, Auckland Council and mana whenua and builds on previous business cases undertaken to develop the network over the past five years.