MediaWorks eyes rail link compensation

MediaWorks is in particular concerned about noise and vibration which are likely to arise as part of the project. photo / Dean Purcell

TV3 owner MediaWorks Holdings is opposing Auckland Transport in the Environment Court over conditions for the $2.86 billion City Rail Link, saying the council-controlled organisation might need to compensate it.

A notice of appeal filed last month outlined how the media business operates from buildings at Eden Terrace's 3 Flower St but is dissatisfied about conditions to counter adverse effects on its television, radio and interactive media studios.

MediaWorks, one of only two national broadcasters, said it owned all of the block of land bounded by New North Rd, Flower St, Nikau St and Korari St and the nearby 2 Flower St, except the Eden Tyre and Mechanical site.

The TV3, TV3+1, FOUR and C4 studios would be affected because the southern tunnel portal would be immediately adjacent to these on Nikau St, its lawyers said.

Below-ground works worry the media owner.

"Parts of the substrata of MediaWorks' land is also to be acquired by Auckland Transport for the project tunnel.

"The main hub of construction for the project is proposed to be located on Nikau St, directly across from the Nikau St entrance to the studios," MediaWorks said.

The City Rail Link has the potential to have significant adverse effects on MediaWorks and its broadcasting operations and if those can't be avoided or dealt with, "the only appropriate course of action is for Auckland Transport to compensate MediaWorks by way of equivalent reinstatement of the facilities".

At issue are the effects of noise and vibrations, constraints on operations during construction, traffic congestion and dust infiltration into the studios and associated buildings.

"The studios are particularly sensitive to potential adverse effects, in particular noise and vibration which are likely to arise as part of the project," MediaWorks said.

Traffic congestion on New North Rd, Symonds St and Mt Eden Rd will be monitored but not on Newton Rd or Khyber Pass Rd which were critical access routes to the media owner's site and important for the Auckland CBD.

The media owner sought many conditions to be modified or tightened up, so that the City Rail Link's creation did not detrimentally effect operations.

CRL appellants

Precinct Properties: Waterfront landlord.
Stamford Residences, Albert St.
Tram Lease: Owns 32 Normanby Tce.
MediaWorks: TV3 owner.
[Source: Environment Court]