How the AMETI team consulted

The community engagement process began in March/April  2007 and involved:

• eight public information days throughout the study area

• meetings with people whose properties may be required
• meetings with key stakeholders
• a meeting with iwi
• a series of workshops involving randomly selected, representative residents and property owners.

Information and a feedback form was provided on the website; a postcard was sent to 120,000 households; a newsletter was placed in libraries and on the website; an 0800 number was operated for enquiries; and opportunities for community engagement were advertised in newspapers and on bus shelters.

Who responded?

• 500 people attended the public information days
• 531 public responses were received, increasing to 700 when key stakeholder responses were added
• there were 189 enquiries to the 0800AMETI number.

What the community said

The predominant response from the public was that something needs to be done to improve transport in the east and that the councils should get on with it.

There was support in principle for the objectives of AMETI.  People wanted a balance of initiatives - improved passenger transport, a more efficient road network and a better environment for cycling and walking.

People wanted to see improved pedestrian and cycle improvements across the study area, more frequent bus services, rail connections to East Tamaki protected for the future, and community, environmental and heritage features protected and enhanced.

Many local issues were also raised including:

• concern that an underpass at the intersection of Mt Wellington Highway and Waipuna Road would not create a pedestrian friendly environment
• the need for more work and consultation on Ireland Road
• the need for better access to trains, buses and open space
• the need for a train service from Manukau city centre to Panmure via Botany Downs

What was changed?

Following the community engagement and an urban design appraisal of the proposal some design refinements have been made.  The main changes are:

• The extent of widening on Mt Wellington Highway to accommodate bus lanes, service lanes and pedestrian improvements has been reduced.  This lowers cost and delivers better urban design outcomes.
• The intersection between Mt Wellington Highway and Waipuna Road will remain ‘at grade’.  That is there will be no underpass or tunnel as originally proposed.  The width of this intersection can thus be reduced.
• A new street will be built from Waipuna Road to intersect with Mt Wellington Highway at Triangle Road.  It will travel next to the railway line and Van Dammes Lagoon.
• The Ireland Road intersection with Waipuna Road will remain a signalised intersection with all movements possible.  Residents will therefore be able to continue to turn into Ireland Road from Waipuna Road.
• A cover or lid will be built over the rail corridor and street between Ellerslie Panmure Highway and Mountain Road in Panmure, improving opportunities for development and helping manage traffic during construction.
• The intersection between Carbine Road and the South Eastern Highway (SEART) will be grade separated, with SEART extended over Carbine Road as an overbridge.  As a result there will be no need to widen Carbine road.
• A new, two laned local road will provide access to Sylvia Park’s train station.

For a full outline click here to go The Project