Feedback open from 18 May–19 June 2020

We asked for feedback on a range of preferred options for public transport, rail upgrades and road improvements including local roads and state highways. Several projects were consulted on:

• Mill Road – a new connection from Manukau to Drury South
• Pukekohe Expressway and connections to State Highway 22
• Pukekohe Urban Arterial
• Rail – supporting urban and economic growth
• Road upgrades along Ōpāheke Road, Ponga Road and Waihoehoe Road

Summary of feedback

We received:

• 1,115 pieces of feedback
• 940 reactions to social media posts
• 3,793 visits to our website

Key feedback themes

• Support for new train stations and lots of questions about park and ride facilities
• Positive response to new, safe walking and cycling paths
• Strong support for creating new and improved public transport options
• Concerns about new roads cutting through countryside
• Desire for more opportunities to engage face-to-face about the proposals
• Less support for the proposed route through the Drury section of Mill Road
• More information needed on the impact to homes and businesses
• Concern for any impact on the environment and areas of cultural and ecological importance.

How we used your feedback

After public engagement closed we:

• analysed your feedback and published a summary report
• continued to engage with landowners and the community to answer questions and close the loop on their feedback
• carried out technical investigations for the Mill Road corridor and rail and road upgrades in and around Drury
• finalised the Detailed Business Case (DBC) for approval and started preparation to lodge the Notices of Requirement (NoR) with Auckland Council for Drury and Ōpāheke local road upgrade projects
• refined the intended locations for Drury and Paerata train stations and their facilities for further engagement with landowners and the community during February–March 2021

Update on Mill Road corridor

In January 2020, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency was asked by the Government to deliver Mill Road as part of the NZ Upgrade Programme.

NZ Upgrade Programme

Between early-2020 and early-2021 significant planning and design work was carried out, along with engagement with landowners and the community and technical investigations to help confirm the preferred route.

In June 2021, the Government announced changes to some New Zealand Upgrade Programme projects to meet climate change and housing objectives, as well as manage cost increases and debt responsibly following COVID-19.