Appeal planned for NZTA East West Link
An Auckland sea scout group is seeking public funds to help appeal an NZTA multi-million dollar roading project.
The NZTA is lodging plans in early December 2016 for the Onehunga stage of the East West Link Project.
As the plans currently stand, a six metre causeway will be constructed directly in front of the Aotea Sea Scouts historic building.
On November 3 the Aotea Sea Scouts launched a Givealittle page to appeal NZTA’s plans once they are lodged.
The scouts have aligned with The Onehunga Enhancement Society who favour the ‘ community plan’ over the current plan preferred by NZTA.
Jim Jackson, chair of the enhancement society, says the community plan is based on the society’s consultation with community members and businesses.
Jackson believes the community plan would be even more efficient than the plan NZTA currently prefers.
The community plan also proposes development of the Onehunga waterfront, this would carry on from the Taumanu Reserve development.
NZTA’s Auckland highway manager Brent Gliddon says the agency has completed a full analysis of the community plan.
‘‘While it has some benefits there are also significant challenges with this option,’’ he says.
Gliddon says the community plan would reduce access to the Mangere inlet and is double the estimated cost of the preferred design.
‘‘These estimates show it is approximately double the cost of the Transport Agency’s current option which is estimated to be $300m,’’ Gliddon says.
He says it would also put a tunnel through a volcanic feature, protected under the Uni- tary Plan as an outstanding natural feature.
Jackson says the community plan would actually incorporate it into the coastal restoration and make it a prominent feature.
‘‘The Onehunga Foreshore restoration was priced at $65 million by the council, the society had it priced at $35 million. The final cost was $28 million.’’
The enhancement society is holding a community plan meeting at the Onehunga RSA on November 14 from 6.30pm till 8pm.