Talks on eastern corridor end

By STUART DYE

Public consultation on the proposed Eastern Transport Corridor ended yesterday after a week of talks with communities who say they are threatened by the development.

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

Yesterday, planning consultants described the exercise as valuable, while some community groups labelled the consultation a "waste of time".

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.

However, Opus chiefs responsible for the consultation maintain that no decisions have been made.

Planning manager Theresa Walsh said: "We had around 500 people over the week and it was valuable to us get their views. That feedback will now help with the preparation of a range of options."

A shortlist of design options is expected to be presented for public review at the end of August.

Public views were 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 - an assessment of the corridor scheme and its environmental effects.

Rendell McIntosh, spokesman for the Parnell Community Committee, said they were left playing the waiting game.

"It was a bit of a waste of time because there was nothing new in the consultation.

"The next step is the important one and we just have to sit back and wait to see what the planners come up with. Then we are prepared to fight to protect Judges Bay, one of the historic icons of Auckland."

Once the preferred options are adopted, further consultation will be undertaken in November. It is expected that Transit New Zealand, Auckland City Council and Manukau City Council will jointly decide to begin the statutory consents and planning processes early next year.

* You can still have your say by calling Freephone 0800 100848 or by emailing easterncorridor@opus.co.nz.