|
Resolution number MR/2016/48
MOVED by Chairperson AM Dalton,
seconded by Member KE Penney:
That the Manurewa Local Board:
a)
note the report from the Manurewa Local
Board Chairperson for the period 11 March to 11 April
2016.
b)
reiterate its feedback (endorsed at the
14 February 2013 local board meeting) on the draft Unitary Plan regarding the
rural urban boundary and a proposed bridge between Karaka and Weymouth:
“11. More importantly the Manurewa Local Board is very
concerned to note that in the key transport messages there is no acknowledgement
of the need for a significant investment in public transport. Mention is made
of State Highways, the Drury interchange and a major new road bridge, which
tends to indicate that the push is for more motorway and road development.
The resulting increase in traffic would have a severe impact on Manurewa transport
and roading infrastructure.
12. The Manurewa Local Board’s preference is for an
investment especially in the short to medium term into public transport
alternatives, particularly increased rail options and dedicated bus lanes on
the motorway. Research and experience indicates that when more lanes on
motorways are built they are filled the next day. The Manurewa Local Board
has had extensive experience with this challenge with State Highway 20,
particularly where it links into the motorway at Manukau. The board is more
than happy to talk to Auckland Transport staff about that problem for
motorists and the resulting “rat‐run”
behaviour adopted by drivers to avoid lengthy delays.
13. Of particular concern is the reference to the Karaka‐
Weymouth Bridge. The Manurewa Local Board understands that this will need an
investment in the order of $200 million. The board believes this is a major
departure from the recognised priorities of moving people efficiently and
effectively from areas of high population density and projected growth to
areas of employment and leisure. The siting of this proposed bridge would
indicate that the thinking of developers and planners is for significant
population growth into the Pukekohe area in relation to others areas that may
well expand.
14. The board opposes any priority around the construction
of such a bridge. The proposal for a bridge one kilometre long would totally
destroy the unique character of the Weymouth area. The Weymouth area has a
number of historic and environmental features, and a unique seaside character
which is important to the local residents and should be safeguarded through
the Unitary Plan. The Manurewa Local Board endorses a number of comments from
residents to that effect (and which are attached in full). There must be a wider
consultation with residents on this matter before any final decision be made.
15. The Manurewa Local Board wants to reiterate its very
deep concern that the most affected existing community, Weymouth, has not
been consulted on these proposals.
16. The rural urban boundary (RUB) appears to be looked at
in isolation and the flow‐on
effects on surrounding areas have not yet been considered.
17. The Manurewa Local Board is of the opinion that if this
proposed bridge connection is left in the Unitary Plan it will skew all
future discussion on southern growth.
18. The RUB is not merely about drawing lines on a map. A
multi‐modal
highway as proposed by the Karaka Collective has the potential to physically
divide the Weymouth community and cut its heart out.
19. The Manurewa Local Board is happy to submit names of
board members who would be part of any future discussions on the development
of the South, particularly on the potentially significant impacts to our
communities.”
CARRIED
|
