Freight train blues in Orakei

Photo / Richard Robinson

Residents of the upmarket Orakei coastal development will have to put up with freight trains rattling past their windows in the middle of the night if KiwiRail and Ports of Auckland have their way.

The two companies have appealed against the Orakei masterplan to protect their interests on the North Island main trunk line, which runs through the middle of the planned development of about 700 apartments.

They are seeking tighter building controls to reduce the effects of noise, vibration and diesel fumes and a written guarantee from residents that they will not complain about the "effects generated by the lawful operation of the North Island main trunk line".

The appeal is the latest issue in four years of battles between developer Tony Gapes and residents from the northern slopes of Remuera over different plans for the prime coastal site.

Last month, the Auckland Council approved the Orakei masterplan, which was a joint initiative between Mr Gapes and the old Auckland City Council to make improvements - although residents are still unhappy about the scale of building and the effect of traffic on busy Orakei Rd.

The masterplan is conditional on the land coming into single ownership or a legally enforceable agreement between various land and lease owners.

There are no immediate plans to begin development.

In a notice of appeal to the Environment Court, KiwiRail and Ports of Auckland said the North Island main trunk railway was a regional and nationally significant piece of infrastructure, and the primary link between the port and the port company's inland port at Wiri.

They have projected a substantial increase in the volume of cargo over the next decade, and KiwiRail has advised Transport Minister Steven Joyce of plans to build a third rail line passing through the Orakei development.

Most of the freight is moved between 9am and 11am and during the night.

Commuter trains also use the current two rail lines.