A light rail link to Auckland’s northwest is a top priority of a new planning alliance between the city’s transport department and the New Zealand Government.
The alliance, between the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport, is tasked with planning and confirming around 60 transport projects to support growth in Auckland.
The 30-year program of works is worth NZ$8-10 billion.
The alliance also includes consultancies AECOM and Beca, and legal providers Bell Gully and Buddle Findlay.
An early role for the alliance will be to consult with communities and various stakeholders to assess options and opportunities and develop recommended corridors. It will partner with KiwiRail and Auckland Council’s land use planning and infrastructure teams, and mana whenua – the land’s historic and territorial owners.
The aim is to protect the full network over the next five years, with projects staged for funding allocation and delivery over the next two decades.
NZ transport minister Phil Twyford on August 6 said the alliance would build on Auckland’s proposed rapid transit network for the future, including Light Rail to the northwest.
“Previously we haven’t been able to provide certainty to communities, landowners and other stakeholders about transport infrastructure to support development,” Twyford said.
“Now we can start to answer some of their questions.”
The alliance’s program will support the initial development of growth areas in north, northwest and south Auckland, and Warkworth.
It’s estimated these areas will make up around 30% of the region’s growth by 2050; about 15,000 hectares of undeveloped land has the capacity for 137,000 new homes and 67,000 new jobs.
Mayor Phil Goff said the scope of works represented Auckland’s largest ever infrastructure investment.
“The Alliance will ensure projects can get underway and be delivered on time, providing certainty for developers and our local communities,” Goff said.
“One of the main aims is to plan and design future communities that are well connected with public transport, facilities and employment so they are great places to live, work and play,” Twyford added.