People get chance to put their views on eastern corridor

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Public consultation on the proposed Eastern Transport Corridor begins this week - before a preferred route being chosen and a clear idea of the community effects.

Five "consultation days" begin tomorrow to canvass eastern Auckland and Manukau residents' ideas and suggestions for the form, route and function of the $460 million corridor.

Possible changes to Auckland's premier waterfront public thoroughfare - Tamaki Drive - and historic Hobson and Judges Bays to allow a six-lane expressway are among controversial issues.

Public views are being sought as part of the second phase of developing the corridor.

A first-phase study satisfied the city councils and Transit New Zealand of a need for a multi-mode transport link between the Auckland central business district and the Botany Town Centre in Manukau City.

On the strength of that, they voted $13 million to push ahead with the phase two study.

This is an assessment of the corridor scheme and assessment of environmental effects.

A spokeswoman for Opus International Consultants, Theresa Walsh, said the consultation days would give people more information about the project and let them lend their suggestions via feedback forms or discussions with the consultancy team.

"We are keen to ensure that everyone with an interest in the project presents us their views in this first step in the consultation phase," she said.

Their views would be taken into account in the second step - expected in August - which was drawing up a shortlist of design options and presenting them for public review.

At this stage, the consultancy team would gather more information and opinion to find out preferences.

By the third step in November further consultation will be undertaken on those preferred options.

Opus was appointed to do the consultation and option design work.

Drilling has started to test the ground at different sites.

The phase two steps are required under the Resource Management Act before resource consents and land designations can be applied for.

The phase is expected to be finished early next year.

It will result in a preferred option for developing the corridor as a multimode transport facility, catering for passenger transport, road vehicles, cycling and walking.

At this point the councils and Transit New Zealand will decide whether they will go to the next step - applying for resource consents and to issue notices of requirement to protect or designate the land they need to develop the corridor.

Statutory planning processes are required before any work can begin.

The councils and Transit also have to confirm how the project will be paid for.

The corridor could possibly connect to State Highway 16 in Grafton Gully.

Have your say

Freephone hotline (0800 100-848).

An Eastern Transport Corridor website is at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz

Consultation days Tomorrow, 4pm-8pm, St Columba Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Downs.

Saturday, June 7, noon to 6pm, Panmure Community Centre, 1 Pilkington Rd, Panmure.

Monday, June 9, 4pm-6pm, Pakuranga Baptist Church, Ti Rakau Drive.

Tuesday, June 10, 12pm, ASB Stadium, Kohimarama Rd, St Heliers.

Wednesday, June 11, 4pm-8pm, Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Okahu Bay, Orakei.