Where are we
now?
The South FTN Business Case was approved by the Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)Boards in mid-2023.
We lodged the four Notices of Requirement with Auckland Council in October 2023.
Auckland Council publicly notified the Notices of Requirement in November 2023 and submissions closed in December 2023.
Public hearings took place in May-June 2024 where the requiring authority (Auckland Transport) and all submitters had an opportunity to present and be heard.
Where are we heading?
We expect that Auckland Council will make its recommendation on the Notices of Requirement before the end of the 2024.
The requiring authority (Auckland Transport) will then make the final decision 30 working days after receiving the recommendation. This decision will be notified within 15 days to submitters, directly affected landowners/occupiers and immediate surrounding properties to the designation.
There will be an opportunity for any submitter to appeal the requiring authority’s decision. Appeals are lodged with the Environment Court.
About the South Frequent Transit Network Routes
Over the next 30 years, there will be 120,000 people living, working and schooling in South Auckland. We are preparing Tāmaki Makaurau for that growth by planning solutions for improved public transport, better and safer walking and cycling options, and new and upgraded roads. We want future generations of South Aucklanders to have more choice about how they get around.
We're working with Auckland Council to integrate our transport planning with the land use aspirations of the Manurewa Takaanini Papakura Integrated Area Plan (2018). A plan that outlines an urban vision for these areas over the next 30 years. It sets out the key ideas, desired outcomes and supporting transformation activities that will achieve the urban vision for the Great South Road corridor and Manurewa, Takaanini and Papakura.
In 2018, Te Tupu Ngātahi investigated an indicative strategic transport network for South Auckland. Public feedback during the Indicative Business Case (IBC) stage showed strong support for better transport networks across Tāmaki Makaurau, including South Auckland.
As part of the IBC process, the community told us that:
- increased transport choice (and to be able to separate shorter distance trips from longer ones)
- improved north-south movements
- improved access to education
- better access to employment and recreation opportunities.
The new bus networks, totalling around 28 kilometres in length, will connect train stations with town centres in Manukau, Puhinui, Takaanini, Papakura and Drury. Typically, FTN bus routes operate at least every 15 minutes making them efficient, direct and attractive to users. The bus network will connect with the rail network to give people greater access to the places they want to go, like home, school, work and recreational activities.
The new bus networks will use existing roads. While we don't know exactly how the road layout will look yet, we are proposing new bus lanes for large sections of the network. This will mean bus passengers will enjoy a faster and more direct journey. Walking and cycling improvements will mean that people will have more options about how the travel for some or all of their journey.
During previous consultation, the community told us that they want more transport choices such as improved public transport and better walking and cycling options. To achieve this, we will reallocate existing space within the road and there may be a need to widen the road in some areas.
The need to widen roads reflects our expectations for the arterial roads in the future, including improved public transport options, much better walking and cycling and using modern design standards to focus on safety and sustainability.
