Members update:
- NZTA has confirmed $18m towards the restoration of Onehunga Bay.
- ACC has confirmed $10m towards the restoration of Onehunga Bay.
- ARC is unable to provide any funding however has agreed to apply priority to the consent application regarding the restoration of the foreshore.
The board of the NZTA has agreed not to implement the Westward shift however the money that was allocated to the westward shift can be used towards the restoration of Onehunga Bay.
NZTA will lift their "Hold on Works" commence construction on the central motorway section across Onehunga Bay at the end of March however all work will be carried out within the original motorway designation.
On Thursday TOES made a presentation to parliaments Transport and Industrial Select Committee and expressed the following points:-
- Our community is seeking an 11 hectare green open space along the harbour foreshore in accordance with the historical agreements reached in the 1970's.
- This part of Auckland has been badly compromised over the past 60 years is the main entry point of people entering Auckland and it is need of a major makeover.
- TOES is seeking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that binds all the key stake holders together to ensuring the restoration project is carried out correctly and meets the wishes of our community.
- TOES is hopeful that a MOU will be signed off by all the key stake holders no later than March 31st 09 so that the possibility of a Judicial Review is avoided.TOES will only accept a MOU that is signed by 31st March 2009.
TOES recently meet with officers from The Ports of Auckland suggesting that their historic wharf and the excessive amount of mud is in need of some maintenance and outlined the possibility of dredging the mud from around their wharf and using it as part of the foreshore restoration program including the public ferry terminal and all tide ramp.
TOES has a meeting confirmed with the Minister of Finance the Hon Bill English where the historical situation will be explained and TOES will outline a plan the will allow the project to move forward.
ACC will lead the design and consenting process for the foreshore restoration and the ARC will undertake the hearing process all of which is expected to take around 9 months.
A further 18 months will be required to complete the works which should be sometime in 2011.
However in the past completion dates have been known to be extended due to outside issues.
TOES have not dismissed the possibility of a judicial review if necessary.
We know some of you have expressed your willingness to take a more active role and we will keep you informed as events unfold.
TOES will have a stand at the upcoming Onehunga Bay festival where your questions can be answered in more detail.