Residents of the east Auckland suburb of Beachlands are concerned a proposed multibillion-dollar development could impact traffic volumes, safety, and the resilience of the only access road.
The Beachlands South development can proceed after commissioners held an independent hearing on behalf of Auckland Council - which opposed the scheme - in April under Plan Change 88 (PC88).
The granted plan change will rezone 307ha of Beachlands, including the Formosa Golf Course.
Over the next 15-20 years, the rezoned land could see the construction of over 5000 residences, new primary and secondary schools, a town centre, a light industrial area, and a hotel.
Traffic volumes along the notorious Whitford-Maraetai Rd are "likely to double" because of this development, raising concerns about how this might impact road safety and resilience.
Last week one person died in a three-vehicle crash on the road. Drivers had to take a lengthy detour as the crash was investigated.
NZTA data showed there have been 116 crashes on Whitford-Maraetai Rd since 2018.
More than a third of all submissions raised concerns about transport, generally seeking that PC88 be declined or if approved, amended to ensure required transport upgrades are provided to support growth.
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport (AT) have opposed the plan change partly based on traffic and transport implications.
Franklin Local Board also voiced the concerns of locals during hearings, and chairperson Angela Fulljames told 1News the board made extensive submissions on the application, including asking for road and intersection upgrades.
"We remain concerned about roads in the wider area and safety on them, and the adverse effects on Whitford because of increased traffic and changes to the roundabout, and we are disappointed provision has not been made for further upgrades to Whitford-Maraetai Road in the early stages of the development."
Council transport specialist Wes Edwards said at the hearing that the plan change should be declined on transport grounds.
He said if development did not achieve the anticipated "high use of public transport" via Pine Harbour ferry terminal, it would "significantly increase" private-vehicle travel on Whitford-Maraetai Rd.
"Substantial additional transport infrastructure is required to support the plan change, otherwise there will be significant adverse effects on the safe and efficient operation of the transport network."
AT chief financial officer Mark Laing said the safety of roads approaching the proposed development is a problem that will be exacerbated because of PC88's approval.
Laing said that a safety improvements programme for Whitford-Maraetai Rd is needed "immediately".
These projects identified by AT include widening the shoulders of the road by 1m, installing safety barriers, intersection upgrades at Henson Rd and Trig Rd North, as well as the eventual four-laning of Whitford-Maraetai Rd once the development builds 2700 households.
They would be on top of capacity upgrades to intersections proposed by the plan change applicant at Jack Lachlan Dr, the Whitford Roundabout, Whitford Park Rd and Sandstone Rd, Trig Rd, and the Somerville Roundabout.
The development is planned by the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, a consortium that includes the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Hāpai Development Property LP.
The transport specialists representing the applicant say the upgrades already provided for in PC88 will provide significant benefits that will address existing road safety problems.
Daryl Hughes and Brett Harries said additional traffic would create congestion during peak periods, leading to reduced speeds and having "a positive effect on road safety throughout the day".
They also said traffic modelling undertaken as part of an Initial Transport Assessment said the four-laning of Whitford-Maraetai Rd would not be required.
"Adding lanes will serve no other purpose than encouraging existing and future residents of Beachlands into private cars, and actively discouraging public transport uptake."
Brett Russell previously told NZ Herald that $75m would be raised via a levy to pay for road upgrades.
Beachlands South Limited has been approached for comment.
The independent commissioners concluded that PC88 would not add significantly to safety issues and that Whitford-Maraetai Rd safety improvements were not within the upgrades required by the PC88 precinct.
The commissioners advised that the upgrades identified by the applicant were those necessary to deal with any negative effects, and they could be provided before or at the same time as development.
SHARE ME