Mt Eden Community Liaison Group (CLG) Meeting Minutes Date
Wednesday 24 February 2021
Time
5.30pm – 6.30pm
Location
1 New North Road & Microsoft Teams
Link Alliance Attendees
Helga Sonier, Thibaut L’Hopital, Benjamin Leyat, Nick Adams, John Daly, Craig Mathieson, Rachel Blundell, Dale Burtenshaw, Richard Jenkins, Annie van der Plas, Annabelle Wrigley, Lucy Waite, Helen Jansen, Diana Veitch, Michelle Parish. Clara Puglia, Brian MacCormack, Caleb Perry, Graeme Easte, Adriana Avendano Christie.
CLG Member Attendees Agenda: No. 1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Agenda Item Meeting open Welcome and agenda overview Helpful hints for the virtual meeting Introduce new Mt Eden C&E team and Community Engagement update Mt Eden Station activity overview Tunnelling activity overview North Auckland Line activity overview Social Impact & Business Disruption Report Development Response update Q&A session Meeting close
Presenter Helga Sonier Helga Sonier Helga Sonier Helga Sonier Thibaut L’Hopital Benjamin Leyat Nick Adams Craig Mathieson/John Daly Diana Veitch All Presenters Helga Sonier
Minutes: 1. Welcome: - Helga Sonier - Mt Eden Community Manager, welcomed attendees to this virtual CLG meeting, outlined the agenda and format of the meeting, and some helpful hints for attendees for how to ask questions during this online session - Helga introduced the Mt Eden Communications and Engagement Team, as there are now a number of new team members - Indicated that we welcome feedback from our stakeholders, and we are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with the local community - The team is currently undertaking a review of the works notifications process, in the interests of our stakeholders - Te Manawa Visitor Information Centre opening soon, look out for more information on Facebook - CLG meetings are anticipated to be held bi-monthly in 2021. 2. Mt Eden Station site activity: - Thibaut L’Hopital – Mt Eden Station Project Manager, provided an overview of activity that has happened recently in the main station area (aside from tunnels)
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Key activity to date includes demolition, diverting utilities, preparation for Huia 2 diversion, construction of the portal and temporary retaining walls, first pour of the western CRL cut and cover tunnel slab, excavation of the eastern end of where the future CRL platform will be located, and structural work for the tunnel enabling works such as the spoil basin. Key activity coming up includes continuing permanent utility diversions, construction for the eastern CRL cut and cover tunnel, concrete pour for the walls and roof for western cut and cover tunnels, construction of CRL platform, foundation works for the new station building and ventilation house, amongst others.
3. Tunnelling overview: - Benjamin Leyat – Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Plant Manager, provided an overview of activity that has been taking place in the lead up to the TBM beginning its drive in late April, and what activity is coming up in 2021 - Key activity to date includes assembly of the TBM shield which was on display at the Boring Day Out in December 2020, mined tunnelling of 51metres in the first tunnel cavern ahead of the TBM beginning its drive, concrete tunnel lining segments being prepared, as well as preparations on site for the spoil basin, mechanical workshop and TBM technical support area. - Key activity coming up includes, TBM preparation and assembly which entails the moving and connecting of the gantries to make the 130 metre long machine ahead of the launch in late April, starting the excavation of the second mined tunnel in March, the TBM is scheduled to reach Karangahape Road in August and break out at Aotea in November. - Benjamin then spoke through a series of diagrams and images. 4. North Auckland Line (Western Line Integration) overview: - Nick Adams – Deputy Construction Manager North Auckland Line, gave an overview of activity happening within the Western Line rail corridor. - Key activity to date includes achieving single line running on the existing ‘Up Main’ and decommissioned the existing ‘Down Main’ and removing it from service. Single line running means there is now a single track between Grafton and Kingsland Stations. Removing the Down Main was required so that we could have enough room to carry out construction activity on the northern side of the rail corridor. - Also commenced construction of the Mt Eden Road Bridge, which is the new bridge which will span over the top of the new CRL lines. The western side of bridge is currently under construction. - Christmas Block of Line, where no trains were running in the corridor, allowed for a large amount of work to be completed. - Key activities this year include focussing on installation of the new Down Main, construction of four bridges (Normanby Road Temporary Services Bridge, Normanby Road Bridge, Mt Eden Road Bridge and Porters Ave Footbridge). Construction of two new grade separation structures, or concrete troughs, for the new CRL lines, and finally the removal of the level crossings at Normanby Road and Porters Avenue. 5. Social Impact & Business Disruption (SIBD) Report: - John Daly and Craig Mathieson – Planning Team, provided an overview and breakdown of information from the SIBD report. A document set out in the original designation for CRL that looks at different methods to mitigate disruption to local businesses and residents. - The Mt Eden Communications & Engagement Team receive a range of concerns and complaints from the local community in relation to different topics, with the greatest concerns in relation to noise, vibration, business access and parking. Compliant number are
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indicative of a large construction project. Complaints have been mapped to understand where they were raised a in correlation to the construction site. The Mt Eden Communications and Engagement Team has responded to the concerns and complaints in several ways, including carrying out noise and vibration monitoring to ensure compliance. Where possible, if works are disruptive, the team worked with construction teams to delay or adjust the works. The team communicated to site neighbours about upcoming works, installed wayfinding and business promotion signage and held meetings and information sessions with community members. A number of Development Response initiatives were also undertaken, such as artwork on hoardings, developing strong relationships with the local business association and partnering with them on local events.
6. Development Response overview - Diana Veitch – Mt Eden Development Response Manager, provided an overview of Development Response and key activities. Development response is about actively making us good neighbours and part of the community. - This includes ensuring the perimeter of site is clean and tidy, pavements are clear and accessible, traffic management and pedestrian and cyclist access is considered - We work with businesses to help make sure businesses are still be seen and accessible to customers. - We facilitate activations where we use local suppliers and hold events to encourage local business, such as Aroha in Uptown. The team holds a strong relationship with the Uptown Business Association - Organise artwork on work site hoardings with local artists. A recent example was made with reclaimed materials from the Mt Eden and Karangahape station sites. Questions & Answers: • Why are they called Up and Down Mains? Up Main is the track for west-bound trains and the Down Main is the track for east-bound trains. [Post-meeting note: the track meterage for the North Auckland Line commences at Westfield. The measured distance increases heading from Westfield, hence “Up Main” and decreases towards Westfield, hence “Down Main”]
• What are the timeframes for the foundations of the western platform construction? Construction for the new City Rail Link platform will start in mid 2021 with the completion scheduled for early 2023. Construction of the North Auckland Line platform has started, with the construction of the northern end of this happening in 2021, and the remaining in 2022. If we have misunderstood this question please get in touch with the team to clarify.
• When can we expect to return to dual track? Returning to dual track in mid-2023, and completed Mt Eden Station open in 2024.
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How much lower than the existing level crossing will tracks be at Normanby road?
Need to raise the level of the road on the northern side by approximately 2 metres, and approximately 1 metre on the south, and the bridge will have an approximate 7-metre clearance above the tracks.
• What is the programme and impacts on Fenton Street for the future watermain works? The Huia 2 watermain works are due to start early next month (March), we will commence excavation of the trench along Fenton Street to house the new watermain. All going to plan, we will cut over to the new water main June this year. •
At North Eden Apartments, our sole concern is noise and dust. How much longer will the piling take in our area and is this the noisiest activity we'll experience? Piling is underway and will continue along the track. Piling immediately adjacent to North Eden apartments is planned to be completed late next month. We will then commence other activities, e.g. capping beam on top of piles and excavation. While piling is some of the noisiest work we do, especially when we hit basalt, other construction is also noisy. We can expect most of it to be less noisy than breaking through basalt. We are consistently updating our noise mitigations to be responsive to the changing work. •
Great to hear about the work you do to respond to various complaints, but what can you do to prevent complaints in the first place? Our team strives to do work beforehand to mitigate complaints from happening. We work closely with construction crews to adjust works where possible to mitigate impacts for neighbours. This could include changing working hours during holiday periods etc. The team works to communicate upcoming activity so residents feel well informed. We are always looking for opportunities to engage more with local residents and are currently looking to improve our notification process.
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The activity outside North Eden Apartments has been over the noise limit and has meant a lot of tenants have left. Will there be any compensation for this? It is not Link Alliance policy to provide compensation. We encourage people to get in touch before tenants leave so we can discuss concerns and how we can work with tenants and landlords to mitigate issues. •
The technical questions asked in the last CLG for the Fenton Street footbridge have not yet been answered. When can we expect a response / workshop on those matters raised? Matters raised were themed and these themed questions have been answered in a follow up document sent to attendees. In addition to the themed questions, we received technical questions from a number of stakeholders which have been/are being answered on an individual basis. Our team will continue to communicate individually with those that have further specific questions.
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Can we have an accurate measured drawing of the NAL platform showing the exact relationship to the footbridge? A drawing showing this detail has not yet been developed by the design time. However, 3D images shown at previous CLG meetings show this relationship between the NAL platform and footbridge. Previous CLG presentations can be found on the Mt Eden CLG section of the website.
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Would like to see a timetable of activity that affects the North Eden Apartments in terms of noise and dust. If prospective tenants or buyers know this, it might give them more confidence in buying/renting.
We are looking at making a calendar view of construction activity and staging ahead of time, this will improve our notifications process for site neighbours. We have also recently had signage made for outside North Eden Apartments so residents can easily find our contact details and get in touch with the team. Next meeting: April 2021. Exact date to be confirmed.