Kia ora,

Our project teams have been working hard to progress the Northern Pathway. Although these past few months have been challenging for everyone, we’ve managed to carry out two public engagements so we can continue to progress this dedicated walking and cycling link between Central Auckland and the North Shore. We’ve also recently been listed in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act – read on to learn more about what’s been happening on the Northern Pathway.

Westhaven to Akoranga:

Closing the loop

In March and April this year, we engaged with you on our preferred design for this section of the pathway.

The three-week public engagement ended on Sunday 19 April, with 1,197 submissions received. That’s nearly three times the number of submissions from the project’s last public engagement in August/September last year. The survey responses were 78% in support of the project.

We’ve produced this infographic, which includes some key statistics and themes and some ways that we plan to respond to your feedback.

Consenting update

Northern Pathway Westhaven to Akoranga is a listed project in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act, which became law last week. The Act establishes a new fast-track consenting process aimed at promoting economic recovery.

Work is now required to ensure our application meets the specific requirements of this new Act. This means we will apply for designations and consents later than planned, but we still expect to open this section of the Pathway in 2024 (subject to approvals) since the consenting process will be faster overall.

Environmental and cultural effects will still be protected under this new Act. Input from our partners is an important part of how we deliver high quality projects, which is why we have engaged extensively with our stakeholders and our partners, mana whenua to date. Our commitment to that engagement continues.

Click here for more information on the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act, and here for more information on the consenting process.

Akoranga to Constellation Drive:

In May and June, we consulted with you on the short-listed route options for this section of the pathway. Thank you to everyone who gave their feedback. We received 332 submissions. Our interactive project map on social pinpoint was visited by 1,743 unique users, with 392 comments. Overall sentiment was 82% in support of the route, however there were many respondents concerned about any impact on Smiths Bush.

We’ll be sharing the preferred route and the feedback summary with you next month.

Constellation Drive to Albany:

The Constellation Drive to Albany section of the Northern Pathway is being completed as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. This pathway adjacent to SH1 is due to be opened near the end of 2022.

The team has recently completed two local network connections:

• Tirohanga Whānui, Albany’s iconic walking and cycling bridge

• McClymonts Bridge in Albany which boasts 4m wide (approx.) shared path on both sides of the bridge

Next steps:

Below are the key milestones for the Northern Pathway

• August: Akoranga to Constellation Drive - preferred route announced.

• September: Akoranga to Constellation Drive Business case complete.

• Late 2020: Westhaven to Akoranga - lodgement of applications for consents/approvals.

• End of 2022: Constellation Drive to Albany opens.

• 2024: Westhaven to Akoranga opens.

For more information

For more information on the Northern Pathway project.

Visit: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/northern-pathway/

Email: NorthernPathway@nzta.govt.nz