Hibiscus & Bays Greenways Plan Feasibility Study
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Hibiscus & Bays Greenways Plan Feasibility Study for Section A ‐ Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve to West Hoe Heights 1 Contents Greenways and the Auckland Plan .............................................................................................................. 3 The Hibiscus and Bays Greenways Local Paths Plan .................................................................................... 4 Implementing the Greenways Plan .............................................................................................................. 4 Feasibility Analysis ‐ Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve to West Hoe Heights (Section A) ..................................... 5 Methodology and Scope .......................................................................................................................... 5 Pathway Design & Standards ................................................................................................................... 5 Local Path Design Guide ....................................................................................................................... 6 Walkway Standards .............................................................................................................................. 6 Cycleway Standards ............................................................................................................................. 7 Proposed Standard............................................................................................................................... 7 Route Review ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Implementation ......................................................................................................................................... 20 Consents ..................................................................................................................................................... 20 Cost Breakdown ‐ Entire Route: Section A Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve to West Hoe Heights ................... 22 Next Steps .................................................................................................................................................. 22 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Appendix 1 – Site & Example Photos ...................................................................................................... 23 Appendix 2 – Frame Group Design Report ............................................................................................. 23 Appendix 3 – Wildlands Ecological Report ............................................................................................. 23 Appendix 4 – Development Plans for 488 496c Hibiscus Coast Highway (Lot 15 DP 478069) which has a consented development (LUC60070192) ............................................................................................... 23 Appendix 5 – Landowner approval letter ............................................................................................... 23 2 Greenways and the Auckland Plan The Auckland Plan sets Council’s long‐term strategic direction, with a vision to create the world’s most liveable city. The plan envisages integrated planning to improve transport, environmental protection, land uses, housing growth and economic development, with the benefits of one authority responsible for all coordination. Greenways implement priorities and directives of Auckland Plan, including: • Chapter 5: Auckland’s recreation and sport • Priority 1: Encourage all Aucklanders, particularly children and young people to participate in recreation and sport • Chapter 7: Auckland’s environment • Priority 1: Value our natural heritage • Priority 2: Sustainably manage natural resources • Priority 3: Treasure our coastlines, harbours, islands and marine areas • Chapter 12: Auckland’s physical and social Infrastructure • Priority 2: Protect, enable, align, integrate and provide social and community infrastructure for present and future generations • Directive 12.8: Maintain and extend the public open space network ... walkways and trails and recreational boating facilities in line with growth needs. • Chapter 13: Auckland’s transport • Priority 3: Prioritise and optimise investment across transport modes. Building a connected Auckland is an essential part of creating the world’s most liveable city. The path network in Auckland provides walking and cycling connections across the region. There are many benefits to developing a network of neighbourhood greenways, including: Recreation ‐ Improving people’s access to outdoor recreation opportunities close to their home; Environmental ‐ Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing attractive and safe alternative transport choices, improving water quality and reducing flooding events through low impact design measures, and by enhancing ecosystems, habitat sources and ecological niches; Social ‐ Providing improved opportunities for people to get out of their cars and meet their neighbours, to be engaged with a diverse range of communities and be connected to their local community facilities; Health ‐ Providing improved opportunities for activity and fitness, which benefits both physical and mental health; Education ‐ Providing opportunities for people to learn about the vegetation, wildlife, ecology, history and culture of the landscapes that the routes pass through; and Economic ‐ Improving local employment opportunities as areas become more desirable for businesses and shoppers. Greenways routes often become a tourist destination for both international and domestic visitors. 3 The Hibiscus and Bays Greenways Local Paths Plan The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board published its Greenways Plan in December 2016 after significant consultation with the wider community. The plan seeks to create safe and enjoyable ways for people to get around, get active, and get engaged with their community and the environment. The plan sets out a network of greenways and identifies opportunities to improve: • walking connections • cycle connections • recreation opportunities • ecological opportunities • access to streams and waterways. The plan was developed using a three‐stage process, with feedback loops, as outlined below: Implementing the Greenways Plan In 2017, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board prioritised the greenway projects below for further investigation. This process will consider feasibility, staging and costs as well as recommendations to enable the design phase. The projects are: • Section A – Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve to West Hoe Heights (this report) • Section B – Alice Eaves to Hatfields • Section C – Millwater • Section D – Browns Bay to Sharon Rd • Section E – Taiaotea Creek Path • Section F – Murrays to Churchill Path • Section G – Centennial Park Path The findings of the relevant section are outlined in this report. 4 Feasibility Analysis ‐ Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve to West Hoe Heights (Section A) This report outlines the feasibility assessment of Section A, a 3km long potential Greenway Path in Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, Auckland, between Hibiscus Coast Highway and West Hoe Heights. The path follows the Nukumea Stream along the edge of Alice Eaves Reserve for 1.3km until it begins the ascent up into the Pacific Heights subdivision and up to West Hoe Heights at the top of the ridge. At this point it continues down the valley for a short distance. A likely future connection with Grand Drive is outside the scope but appears feasible. Methodology and Scope This report has been prepared as part of a wider feasibility analysis of seven potential greenway routes in the Hibiscus and Bays Greenways Plan. Each route is different and has required different analysis. These are documented in separate reports to allow reprioritisation over time and projects to be separated out for varying delivery programmes. Where applicable, the work has required and involved: • Physical walking and recording key features of each potential route • Discussions with key council staff • Commissioning third party studies. For example, ecological study of Alice Eaves Reserve to understand potential effect of paths through Kauri, and Frame Group (specialist track experts) to work out specifics for more complex routes • Consultation with AT • Consultation with DoC • Analysis of GIS information and aerial photography • Obtaining planning advice from Auckland Council • Limited consultation with key landowners This feasibility investigation includes a description of each part of the proposed routes and provides recommended solutions to achieve a viable route, considering • Walkability • Safety of users • Public access • Implementation This report also includes; • Drawings of the proposed route • Statement of recommended further work Note this study does NOT include an assessment of environmental impacts, nor is it detailed design. Pathway Design & Standards All walkways and cycleways should be designed to a standard that is appropriate for the expected type of user. Whilst a detailed survey of the likely users of this specific Greenway Path has not been carried 5 out, the type of and the level of use can be estimated from similar walkway/cycleways in proximity to residential areas. Local Path Design Guide The Local Paths Design Guide (Rev. 1.2) is a set of guidelines by Auckland Council. It defines