Parks Memo 8 June 2021 To: Dough Fletcher, Principal Project Lead, Premium Team, Auckland Council

From: Lea van Heerden, Senior Parks Planner, Parks Planning, Auckland Council

Subject: REQUEST FOR PARKS PLANNING ADVICE ON FAST TRACK CONSENT FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF MORE THAN 19KM OF THE NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE (NIMT) BETWEEN THE PAPAKURA AND PUKEKOHE STATIONS AS PART OF THE KIWIRAIL PAPAKURA TO PUKEKOHE RAIL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT (P2P) - LUC60378393.

1. PROPOSAL

KiwiRail is seeking resource consents for works between Papakura and Pukekohe Stations, including installation of the overhead line equipment (OLE) along the length of the rail corridor (approximately 19km), track replacements, and upgrades at both Pukekohe and Papakura Stations to accommodate electrified locomotives. Other works include the construction of platforms for three new stations at Drury, Drury West and Paerata. A map of the major works for this project is provided in Figure 1 below.

Works that may be relevant to parks planning involves the removal of riparian vegetation from riparian areas of various streams and removal of vegetation and earthworks within riparian margins and wetlands.

Specific work includes:

• Bulk earthworks across the entire project footprint, including with the riparian margins of 11 wetlands. • The removal of up to approximately 34,750m² of vegetation from the riparian areas of 35 streams. • The removal of up to approximately 9,120m² vegetation within 10m of 11 wetlands.

Temporary access tracks are proposed across the course of the route for enabling construction vehicles.

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Figure 1: The extent of Auckland Railway Improvement from Papakura to Pukekohe.

2. BACKGROUND

COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020

P2P is a regionally significant transport project, providing for improved rail services and safety. This is a listed project under Schedule 2 of the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.

The Southern Motorway (SH1) and the North Island Main Trunk Railway line runs through the Franklin Local Board area and Pukekohe is the last stop for commuter trains running to and from Britomart. While these transport corridors present challenges from a local path’s perspective, they also provide important transportation links which the paths can effectively link up with, to create an efficient continuation of transport routes available.

There are several transport projects already identified within the Pukekohe-Paerata area including:

• a new bus network in Pukekohe • Pukekohe Train Station upgrade, and 2

• a new train station at Paerata, as part of the Wesley Special Housing Area.

Previously Approved Outline Plan of Works (OPW) Waiver

Auckland Council approved a waiver to the OPW (Auckland Council reference: OPW60367322) for Designation 6302- North Island Main Trunk Railway Line from Buckland to Britomart Station, dated 27 November 2020.

This waiver only relates to enabling works described in the requested material, and summarised as:

• The construction of a combined services duct (CSR) to carry power and communication. cables to various rail corridor assets along the entire rail corridor. • Upgraded signals throughout the rail corridor. • 18 construction access tracks along the rail corridor. • Upgraded level crossings at 5 locations.

Vegetation clearance was also undertaken as part of the enabling phase but not subject to the Outline Plan waiver.

Pre-application Meeting

Kiwirail commenced with a pre-application meeting (PRR00035301), dated 26 November 2020, seeking specialist input from:

• Bulk earthworks (under AUP and NES-F) • Riparian vegetation removal (under AUP and NES-F) • Disturbance of contaminated soil (NES-CS) • Operation of a construction yard for more than 24 months (AUP).

Auckland Council’s Principal Project Lead, Dough Fletcher confirmed in an email dated 02 June 2021 that Kiwirail did not raise any matters related to any impacts on Parks, Watercare, Healthy Waters or Auckland Transport during the pre-application meeting.

Kiwirail provided a copy of their draft Assessment of Environmental Effects and a suite of draft conditions to Auckland Council for review before they lodged their application. Six Council specialists reviewed this information, being:

• Andrew Gordon – Specialist – Acoustics: Contamination, Air & Noise Team • Fiona Rudsits - Specialist – Contaminated Land: Contamination, Air & Noise Team • Rue Statham – Senior Ecologist: Ecology Advice Team • Joe Mills – Specialist Historic Heritage: Heritage Unit • Steve Bryant – Consultant to the Earth, Stream and Trees Team • Isabella Wang – Monitoring Officer

Kiwirail meeting with Auckland Council Parks Department

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Jacobs New Zealand Ltd hosted a meeting with Auckland Council Parks on the 11th of February 2021. Parks and Places Specialist, Mr Greg Lowe attended the meeting on behalf of the parks department. The purpose of the meeting was to gain parks input where additional land is required for trackside Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) and power supply equipment as they are located adjacent to two Auckland Council Parks, being:

- Jellicoe Park at Homai - Karaka Road adjacent Mcpherson Road.

Within this specific application, no reference was made as to whether Kiwirail commenced with the purchase of this land.

Dave Butler from Kiwirail approached Auckland Council Statutory Adviser, Wendy Morris in an email dated the 13th of April 2021 to seek a lease over part of the Ngakaroa Reserve to construct a switching station in conjunction with the Rail upgrade. It was proposed that the majority of the development would be located on Kiwirail land and with a small section (estimated at 478m²) of the adjoining Council land required for some of the structure and access.

The application was declined as Auckland Council did not consider it appropriate to have this equipment placed on a council reserve.

Greenway Plans

The proposed railway upgrade, electrification of the rail line and new platforms are located entirely within the rail designations. All other works are considered temporary and for construction purposes. In this case, I do not foresee any raised concerns for the interference and limitations of future greenways networks. However, there is an opportunity to future proof and integrate future greenway connections that have not been explored.

I have reviewed the Pukekohe-Paerata Paths Plan, 2018. The Pukekohe-Paerata Paths Plan outlines the long-term Local Path network for the Pukekohe-Paerata areas. This plan provides an opportunity for integrated planning to improve transport, environmental protection, land uses, housing growth and economic development, with the benefits of one authority responsible for all coordination.

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Figure 2: Pukekohe to Papakura Greenway Plan

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Figure 3: Proposed Paerata Rail Platform Location

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3. LIMITATIONS

Parks Planning was not given an opportunity to provide or request additional information during the pre-application meeting. The extent to which and how parks, reserves and esplanades may be affected or may be able to offer greenway connections to the proposed rail network have not been identified in detail within this application. Under normal circumstances, more information would be requested under S92 of the RMA to better understand the impact of constructions on parks, open spaces and esplanade reserves.

No effects assessment has been provided against any existing parks and reserves.

4. INFORMATION ASSESSED

My assessment is based on a review of the application materials provided by the Applicant, particularly the following, including but not limited to:

• Fast Track Application Form, Assessment of Environmental Effects, and Supporting Attachments, Plans and Reports prepared by Jacobs New Zealand Ltd on behalf of KiwiRail Holdings Limited, dated 10 March 2021. • Proposed Resource Consent Conditions for Main Works prepared Jacobs (Ref: TN-NIMT-CV- NA-05145-0|C) dated 10 March 2021. • Ecological Effects Assessment, prepared by RMA Ecology Ltd, for Jacobs New Zealand Ltd, dated March 2021. • Access Track Plans, prepared by Jacobs New Zealand Ltd, dated 02 March 2021. • Plans for New Stations, prepared by ETRCS for Kiwi Rail, Rev B, dated 12 February 2021.

5. GENERAL ASSESSMENT

Desktop Analysis

A desktop assessment of the development footprint and surrounding area was undertaken on the 1st of June 2021 to identify parks, open spaces and esplanade reserves that may be affected by the proposed rail upgrades other than what has been addressed in the AEE.

Section 6.10.1, p.76 of the AEE identified that proposed construction work will not occupy any recreational facilities, however, works will occur bordering specifically the following three reserves:

• Opaheke Reserve • Drury Domain • Ngakoroa Reserve

It is not clear whether these reserves will be able to offer connections to the rail stations or align with the greenway plans to integrate active modes.

I have taken a strategic approach to identify the three new proposed platforms as they may have a greater effect due to the scale and extent of works. During the time of my desktop analysis, the three

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new platforms are located outside any open spaces and esplanade reserves and are primarily proposed inside the railway designation.

I have also considered the “Access Track Plans” to try and locate the portions of land that will most likely be affected.

The following existing open spaces and esplanade reserves (shown in Table 1) (but are not limited to) along the course of the rail route, adjacent to the rail designation (primarily Designation 6302):

Table 1: Existing Parks and Reserves other than what has been discussed in the AEE.

Address Legal Description Zone Precinct Paerata Road Lot 9 Deeds Reg 297 Open Space - n/a Pukekohe Auckland Conservation Zone

Paerata Road Lot 8 DP 114984, Lot 3 Open Space - n/a Pukekohe Auckland DP 114983 Conservation Zone 2120

SH 22 Paerata Lot 101 DP 195241 Open Space - Informal n/a Esplanade Reserve – Recreation Zone South, Adams Drive Pukekohe Auckland 2120

Isabella Drive Lot 198 DP 177486 Open Space - Informal n/a Recreational Reserve Recreation Zone Adams Drive Lot 53 DP 92949, Lot 93 Open Space - Informal n/a Recreational Reserve DP 92950 Recreation Zone 19 Adams Drive Pukekohe Auckland 2120 Cape Hill Subway Lot 5 DP 42282 Open Space - Informal n/a Reserve Recreation Zone Reynold Road Reserve Lot 89 DP 101535 Open Space - Informal n/a Franklin Football Club, Recreation Zone 81 Franklin Road Pukekohe Auckland 2120 Recreation Centre Lot 79 DP 101533, Lot Open Space - Informal n/a Fitness Trail 82 DP 101533 Recreation Zone Manukau Road LOT 2 DP 99706-REC Open Space - Informal n/a Reserve, 102 Manukau RES-SUBJ TO VARIOUS Recreation Zone Road Pukekohe ESMTS SHOWN ON DP Auckland 2120 33R Short Street Lot 36 DP 52825 Open Space - Informal n/a Papakura Auckland Recreation Zone 2110

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58 Boundary Road Lot 150 DP 485653 Open Space - Informal n/a Papakura Auckland Recreation Zone 2113

61 Boundary Road Lot 151 DP 485653 Open Space - Informal n/a Papakura 2113 Recreation Zone

110 Opaheke Road Lot 1 DP 437546 Open Space - Informal n/a Drury Auckland 2113 Recreation Zone

131 Opaheke Road LOT 2 DP 515918 Open Space - Opaheke 1, DRURY 2113 Conservation Zone Precinct

165 Opaheke Road Lot 1 DP 65192, PT Open Space - Sport and n/a Drury Auckland 2113 ALLOT 17 Parish OF Active Recreation Zone OPAHEKE, PT ALLOT 52 Parish OF OPAHEKE

214-230 Great South Lot 1 DP 41336, ALLOT Open Space - Sport and n/a Road Drury Auckland 297 Parish OF Active Recreation Zone 2579 OPAHEKE, Lot 3 DP 31548 10R Karaka Road Drury SO 65144, SEC 1 SO Open Space - Informal n/a Auckland 2578 65144, PT RAILWAY Recreation Zone LAND SO 47014 50R Karaka Road Drury ALLOT 405 Parish OF Open Space - n/a Auckland 2578 OPAHEKE, ALLOT 406 Conservation Zone Parish OF OPAHEKE

It is not clear if the above-affected parcels will be able to offer access to the new train platforms, and if so in what form, i.e., pedestrian bridges or what the effect of construction on these parcels of land will be.

6. ASSESSMENT UNDER THE AUCKLAND UNITARY PLAN RELEVANT TO PARKS PLANNING

E38. Waiver or Reduction of Esplanades

The applicant is not proposing any form of subdivision or wavering of esplanade reserves. Provided the mitigation and ecological enhancements described in the Ecological Report are undertaken as recommended, the remediation of all cleared areas, where practicable that includes riparian planting, outside the rail corridor through the reinstatement of native plants following KiwiRail’s vegetation standards for off-track zones is considered an acceptable mitigation measure.

E26. Infrastructure - Relevant to Open Space

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The upgrade of the railway tracks, electrification of it and associated buildings platforms are solely located within the rail designation.

Vegetation alteration or removal of vegetation in open spaces that do not comply with Standards E26.3.5.1 to E26.3.5.4 is a Restricted Discretionary Activity under the rule E26.3.3.1 (A77).

Landscaping and ecological Assessment

The removal of up to approximately 34,750m² of vegetation from the riparian areas of 35 streams. This clearance addresses all riparian vegetation clearance in the project footprint and is required for construction access, land stabilisation and rail infrastructure construction.

For evidence-based assessment, I reviewed the Ecological Effects Assessment, prepared by RMA Ecology Ltd, for Jacobs New Zealand Ltd, dated March 2021 and concur with their assessment. I do acknowledge that their assessment includes a large study of all riparian margins, wetlands, and stream and not necessarily from a park’s perspective. However, the actual or potential adverse effects associated with the proposed rail electrification work on riparian margins, including esplanades, where and if relevant, are loss of riparian vegetation and therefore reducing ecological values.

Considering the scale of the development in the larger context and support from a specialist report, the actual or potential adverse effects on ecological values that may result from construction activities are considered to be low. The effects on streams or wetlands will require consideration of an offset (AUP (OP) Chapter E3) which sits beyond the Parks Planning Scope and will rely on Auckland Council’s Ecologist’s final input.

Mitigation measures have been provided by the offering of conditions for a construction method statement before the clearance of vegetation and remediation through the replanting of native plants and adapting the conditions under the Ecological Report that seems reasonable along the entire route of the proposed upgrade. However, relevant to Parks Planning it is not clear what the extent of the replanting programme is on open space and whether Parks/Community Facilities would then become responsible for its maintenance.

Greenway Connections and accessibility

Overall, there is insufficient information provided to clearly understand to what extent, and if the upgrade of the railway line with the added platform will cause a loss of public access within riparian margins and in turn affect the greenway network.

H7. Open Space Zone

Based on my understanding and the applicant’s AEE, the extent of works sits largely within the rail designation owned by Kiwirail. There will be no construction work on any of Auckland Council’s recreational facilities. However, works will occur adjacent council reserves, specifically including Opāheke Reserve, Drury Domain and Ngakoroa Reserve. Often this will require affected party approval if Parks is adversely affected.

According to the applicant in the AEE under Section 7.7.3, Peter Wrigley, Facilities coordinator who manages Council’s maintenance contracts from Auckland Council’s Community Facilities department

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has been regularly engaged about work on or near Council land and reserves, especially within the Franklin Local Board Area.

Opāheke Reserve

This sports park in particular hosts 8 rugby fields adjacent to the Kiwirail Designation. Rugby fields 2, 4 and 8 all sits approximately 5m from the Kiwirail Designation boundary line. This does not leave a lot of space to remediate construction effects and no assessment has been provided should Kiwirail extend beyond the designation boundaries.

Drury Park

Drury park, similar to Opāheke Reserve hosts several sports fields. Again, the touch-field sits approximately 4m from the designation boundary line and effects assessment was not provided.

Ngakoroa Reserve

This reserve is leased for “Riding for the Disabled”. Dave Butler from Kiwirail approached Auckland Council Statutory Adviser, Wendy Morris in an email dated the 13th of April 2021 to seek a lease over part of the Ngakaroa Reserve to construct a switching station in conjunction with the Rail upgrade. It was proposed that the majority of the development would be located on KiwiRail land and with a small section (estimated at 478m²) of the adjoining Council land required for some of the structure and access.

The application was declined as Auckland Council did not consider it appropriate to have this equipment placed on a council reserve. Overall, the application detail is insufficient to fully understand the extent of the impact of construction on any of Auckland Councils Parks, reserves, or esplanades, including Opāheke Reserve, Drury Domain and Ngakoroa Reserve. However, the applicant ensured in their AEE that construction works will not be occurring on the reserves and any effects arising from earthworks, dust, noise and construction traffic will be addressed by the proposed management plan conditions. Construction activities can be disruptive to the public use of reserve land, public access, and recreational activities. Whilst I consider the conditions of the proposed management plan to be very vague, the proposed conditions and associated management plans will, if drawn up correctly, allow all sport field activities to continue events and the general public to have continued enjoyment of these reserves while construction activities occur.

Objectives and Policies

Considering the objectives and policies for Open Spaces zones, recreational facilities are maintained and the adverse effects on the use of open spaces on residents and communities are proposed to be mitigated by the implementation of management plans. The management plans will help maintain the needs of the wider community while being safe and attractive to users subject to appropriate implementation of the conditions.

Overall, I consider the proposed scale and upgrade to the railway, including three new platforms and the electrification of the tracks to be insufficient of detail to understand the effects on parks, reserves 11

and esplanades including accessibility associated with greenway plans to make an informed decision. However, the greater extent of upgrades is located within the existing rail designations owned by Kiwirail and the works associated are typically expected for this type of development. Again, as discussed under Section 5 of this report, it is not clear whether these reserves will be able to offer connections to the rail stations or that the new rail upgrades will align with the greenway plans to integrate active modes.

Whilst mitigation measures have been provided to reinstate appropriate riparian planting and adverse construction effects will be managed through management plans, it has not been considered necessarily within esplanade reserves and parks perspective.

7. RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS TO BE INCLUDED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT PLANS.

Affected Reserves And Parks Before Construction

1. The consent holder must inform Team Leader Parks Planning and Land Advisory of any associated construction effects and mitigation, to the satisfaction of Team Leader Parks Planning and Land Advisory, one month prior to the start of construction.

2. The consent holder must require Asset Owner Approval prior to any works being undertaken when reserves and parks are affected beyond the boundary of the railway designation to the satisfaction of Team Leader Parks Planning and Advisory. This condition accounts for any effects to parks and reserves before, during and after construction of the associated rail upgrade and new platforms.

Affected Esplanade Reserves and Parks 3. Should there be any affected esplanade reserves and parks, including vegetation removal and loss of access, the consent holder must submit at the Engineering Plan Approval stage a detailed landscape plan(s) for riparian planting and accessways (Scale 1:250) for approval by the Parks Planning Team Leader. In particular, the plans shall: A. Be prepared by a suitably qualified landscape architect. B. Include the re-design of any pedestrian accessways with cross-section where relevant. C. Show all planting including details of intended species, location, plant sizes at the time of planting and likely heights on maturity, tree pit specifications, the overall material palette, location of street lights and other service access points. D. Ensure that selected species can maintain appropriate separation distances from paths, roads, streetlights and vehicle crossings in accordance with the Auckland Transport Code of Practice. E. Include planting methodology and maintenance plan. 4. The consent holder must undertake the following works on any existing affected esplanade reserves to the satisfaction of the Team Leader Parks Planning, in particular:

a) Removal of all organic and inorganic rubbish from the affected esplanade reserves.

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b) All effected esplanade reserves to be free of possible health and safety hazards such as large holes, dangerous trees, unstable retaining walls etc. c) Removal of all invasive pest plant species as listed in the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan 2020-2030 which are located within the boundary of lots all affected esplanade reserves. d) Reinstatement of any affected public walkways within 2 months after construction is completed to the satisfaction of the Parks Planning Team Lead.

Maintenance - Revegetation 5. The consent holder must provide for the approval of the Parks Planning Team Leader a Maintenance Plan, for all planting and landscaping to be established on all effected esplanade reserves. The Maintenance Plan must include: a) Vegetation maintenance policies for the proposed planting, in particular details of maintenance methodology and dates/frequencies. b) Details of watering, weeding, trimming, cultivation, pest and disease control, checking of stakes and ties, pruning and other accepted horticultural operations to ensure normal and healthy plant establishment and growth. c) Vandalism eradication policies. d) All invasive pest plants and pest animals shall be controlled in accordance with the pest management plan prior to planting (site preparation) and following planting for the plant maintenance period. 6. Maintenance in accordance with the approved planting/revegetation plan must occur until 80% canopy closure has occurred and a minimum survival rate of the plants (being 90% of the original density through the entire planting area(s) has been achieved. The maintenance period must be a minimum of five years and must commence once the planting completion report has been approved by the Team Leader Parks Planning in accordance with Maintenance -Revegetation Condition above. Plant maintenance includes the ongoing replacement of plants that do not survive. All invasive pest plants and pest animals must be controlled in accordance with the EMP/pest management plan prior to planting (site preparation) and the following planting during the plant maintenance period. 7. If any damage/theft to the planting occurs during the maintenance period, the consent holder must replace damaged/stolen plants with the same species and height and must be maintained following the replacement planting, to the satisfaction of the Parks Planning Team Leader.

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Prepared by: Lea van Heerden, Senior Parks Planner

Parks Reviewer: Maylene Barrett, Principal Specialist Parks Planning

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