More than 1000 trees may get the chop to make way for a major transport infrastructure project in east Auckland.
The $1.8 billion Botany to Auckland Airport bus rapid transit project is being jointly delivered by Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and Auckland Airport.
A document on Auckland Council’s website relating to notices of requirement (NoR) issued for the work states: “A total of 1,117 individual trees and 33,044 m2 of vegetation is proposed for removal as part of the project.”
East Tamaki resident Vanessa Phillips has written to the Howick Local Board about the notices and she addressed the board at its May business meeting.
She told the board the notices are for a new designation to widen Te Irirangi Drive between Botany and Rongomai Park to provide for a bus rapid transit corridor and walking and cycling facilities.
Phillips said she’s not opposed to the bus rapid transit corridor and is supportive of the rapid transit aspect.
“I’ve felt the development of this area was beautifully done to account for future growth by having such a large median strip with palm trees.
“I naively thought this was the extent of the project until I received the NoR where I was informed the project has grown to include ‘improved walking and cycling facilities’ on both sides of the corridor.
“Walking and cycling are not forms of rapid transit.”
Phillips asked the board to picture driving along Te Irirangi Drive from Botany to Otara in its current state, with both sides of the corridor “lined with thousands of trees, including natives”.
“The canopy coverage along the corridor is significant and the project intends to destroy all these thousands of trees to pour concrete for an ‘improved’ walking and cycling experience.
“The … costs to accommodate this addition will be staggering and I believe it is frivolous spending at a time where large transport projects are projecting big cost blowouts, eg the City Rail Link’s billion-dollar overspend.”
Following Phillips’ presentation to the board, its members voted to provide feedback to AT about the notices of requirement.
The board supports the project in principle as key transport infrastructure providing links to the airport.
It acknowledges feedback from the community and notes “with concern” the impact on loss of trees along the corridor including the slip lanes, loss of berms, and access for residents.
The board encourages the exploration of options for reducing the impact on existing infrastructure and notes with concern the long timeframe from the notices of requirement through designation to completion.
It requested any removed trees are replaced like-for-like and “wherever possible, retain trees and or relocate them to another site in close proximity and explore other options including sale or distribution”.
The board asked for barriers to be provided to protect people who walk and cycle past residential properties in the area.
It also wants planners to explore the use of Chapel Road as the key walking and cycling infrastructure to support changes made to Te Irirangi Drive as part of the rapid transit project.
