October Newsletter Update

You may have noticed traffic barriers being set up alongside parts of the motorway.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has commenced preparatory works on our stretch of the motorway.

We understand that earthworks will begin toward the end of October on constructing the new motorway.

NZTA have broken the project into three sections (two end sections, respectively through Gloucester Park and around Queenstown Road, and a middle section adjacent to the Lagoon).

Work on the middle section, between the Onehunga waterfront and Onehunga Bay reserve and Lagoon, has been postponed until March 2009.

This will preserve the ability to facilitate the westward shift of the motorway and other aspects being called for by TOES.

In the meantime Auckland City Councils Development Committee has started preparing a master plan for the Onehunga Foreshore and lagoon, in consultation with stakeholder such as TOES, the Maungakiekie Community Board, and others.

The master plan will cover all three sections of the NZTA project, and should be complete in November 2008.

TOES has asked NZTA to not proceed with any physical work on the motorway until the master plan is complete and agreed.

TOES has also been continuing its programme of extensive political lobbying in the hope that some sort of clear leadership will evolve to pull together the relative agencies and drive the changes necessary to provide our community with a satisfactory outcome.

Some of our politicians are rising to the challenge. But with the sound of the bulldozers nearing, it’s time for action.

Legal Action

TOES has been reluctant to date to start legal action protect the foreshore environment.

We have preferred to try and work with all parties in a constructive way to achieve a satisfactory outcome for our community.

However, if the current situation cannot be resolved quickly, then we will be left with no other option than to start legal action on behalf of the community.

TOES has started a fighting fund to finance a legal case. We will update members on this over the next 5-10 days with specific information.

Other

We are now literally in the eleventh hour.

We are hopeful of a positive outcome for the community.

We will not be dissuaded from achievement of our goals.

We will take whatever action is necessary to achieve a positive outcome for the community.

The TOES committee appreciates the support of our members and others in the wider community.