Karanga-a-Hape Station Streetscapes Communications & Engagement Plan
Overview and purpose
Above: The extent of PRR works (red hatched line), above ground station buildings and construction support areas (highlighted blue)
The underground civil works at Karanga-a-Hape Station are largely complete and Link Alliance (LA) is preparing for the above-ground streetscape construction package, also known as Public Realm Reinstatement (PRR) works.
PRR works around the Beresford Square entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station extend from the Pitt Street / Beresford Square corner westward down to Day Street. PRR works also cover a small section of Mercury Lane, directly in front of the Mercury Lane entrance, as well as the laneway to the south of the station entrance building that connects East Street and Mercury Lane. Link Alliance PRR works will be delivered in conjunction with Auckland Transport’s (AT) Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct integration programme (Project K), with AT delivering the bulk of the PRR works in Mercury Lane.
Delivery will be staged and take approximately a year involving:
• Installation of new footpaths and cycle infrastructure
• Installation of new road pavement
• Upgrades of new stormwater infrastructure and other utility services
• Construction of tree pits and tree planting
• Installation of street furniture.
This document details the communications and engagement objectives, key messages, risks, and activities for a successful start to urban realm works in Q2 2024. This plan is a living document and will be updated as dictated by project requirements. Please note, a separate C&E plan has been created for Mercury Lane works, which involve surface works (trenching and ducting) in Mercury Lane, not related to urban realm delivery activities. This plan can be found here.
Objectives and strategies
• To minimise the risk of customer complaints during streetscape construction by:
o Providing accurate and detailed information to directly impacted and sensitive stakeholders, including construction mitigations and support measures for residents and businesses
o Proactively and consistently sharing information about the planned works, effects, and mitigations across a range of communication channels
o Providing opportunities to celebrate project progress and thank our neighbours
o Supporting a vibrant and interesting site perimeter and neighbourhood.
• To enhance the profile of the City Rail Link project and Link Alliance by sharing stories that:
o Build an understanding of the progress already made underground and the ongoing fitout of the station
o Share the cultural narrative and design of the station, developed in partnership with mana whenua
o Demonstrate the scale and quality of the above-ground streetscape upgrades
o Demonstrate progress at street level and good practice construction management (e.g. opening up pathways as they are completed)
• To demonstrate CRL’s role as the flagship project leading the transforming of the Karangahape Road neighbourhood, by:
o Communicating the CRL programme alongside other projects in the area to provide a cohesive vision of the future state to the community
o Supporting Auckland Transport’s communications campaign for Project K with good news stories and progress updates
o Collaborating and contributing to Auckland Transport’s Project K development response programme to provide a seamless neighbour and customer experience.
Key Dates
• October 2023 – Early engagement with directly affected stakeholders begins
• November 2023 – Enabling utility works begin (manhole work on Beresford Square.)
• May 2024 – LA streetscape contractor begins works Beresford Square
Key Messages
Overarching CRL messages
• The CRL will uplift Auckland to rival the transport systems of other world class cities.
• It will transform the iconic Waitematā Station (Britomart) into a two-way through station so more trains can get in and out of the city centre.
• It will deliver 3.45 km of new underground railway connecting with other rail lines to benefit Auckland's entire rail network.
• When operating at full capacity, the CRL will carry up to 54,000 people per hour, an equivalent capacity to three Harbour Bridges or 16 extra traffic lanes at peak travel times.
• 9000 passengers per hour are anticipated to use the CRL at peak times
• The CRL will double the number of people living within thirty minutes’ transit distance of the Auckland city centre, the country’s largest employment and commerce hub, while reducing Auckland’s transport footprint by 28,000 tCO2e per year – a win-win for the people of Auckland.
• City Rail Link is a city building project that will deliver significant urban development opportunities for Auckland.
• Two new stations near Aotea Square (Te Waihorotiu Station) and Karangahape Road (Karanga-a-Hape Station) as well as redeveloped stations at Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station and Waitematā Station will revitalise key areas and provide people with better access to housing and employment opportunities.
• Better frequency and reliability will encourage people to leave their cars at home, easing pressure on Auckland's roads for those who need to use them.
• The CRL shows how important it is to invest in major infrastructure projects:
o It will drive investment in new businesses and housing along the CRL routes
o It will uplift the value of existing businesses and housing along those routes
o It will enable swifter travel for Aucklanders going to work each day, lifting their productivity and improving their lives
Karang-a-Hape Station’s urban realm
• The station’s urban realm encompasses the look and feel of the station buildings and the street environment within the project designation.
• These above ground works are essentially the icing on the cake for the project, transforming construction zones into inviting, architecturally designed public spaces.
• Activities includes laying paving tiles, installing tree pits, trees, street furniture, kerbstones, and road resealing.
Urban realm design process
• Engagement with the community and key stakeholders has informed the final design of the urban realm surrounding Karang-a-Hape Station.
• Four overarching design principles guide the design:
o Mana Whenua – An integrative design approach in partnership with the mana whenua to enhance Whakapapa and Tohu and ensure environmental outcomes (through Taiao and Mauri Tū) and cultural outcomes (Mahi Toi and Ahi Kaa).
o Movement and Connectivity – To ensure safe and easy access to services, transport modes, retail and business.
o Public Realm and Landscape – To ensure an inclusive public realm that enhances visitor experience and a sustainable, natural environment.
o Existing and Proposed Buildings – To ensure a sensitive approach to existing building and an integrative approach to proposed structures.
ManaWhenua
• City Rail Link has established a strong partnership with local iwi, integrating mana whenua values, narrative and design into its stations and working collaboratively with eight iwi representatives through a project-specific forum.
• The urban realm design reflects a partnership with mana whenua, both in the design detail and the cultural narratives that accompany.
• The partnership with mana whenua is reinforced through relationship development, building of trust and the regular CRL Mana Whenua Forum which meets monthly, is a key part of putting this into action.
Design story
• The CRL Mana Whenua Forum agreed on seven Te Aranga principles which have been incorporated into the design framework:
o Mana – the need for relevant mana whenua groupings to have individual and collective formal relationships with key stakeholders.
o Whakapapa/Whakamana – names and naming as a means of reconnecting mana whenua narratives to place.
o Tohu – the acknowledgement of wider mana whenua cultural landmarks.
o Taiao – bring landscape elements, such as water, trees, birds, and insects, back into urban areas.
o Mauri Tū – maintaining and enhancing the environmental quality of water, air and soil.
o Mahi Toi – inscribing mana whenua narratives into built architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.
o Ahi Kā – exploring opportunities to facilitate a meaningful living presence for mana whenua.
• Te Aranga design principles have been overlaid with an overarching, line-wide narrative, as well as station-specific narratives.
• The overall theme for the CRL project’s design concept is the Māori Creation Story. This tells the story of Rangi-nui, the sky father, and Papa-tū-ā-nuku, the earth mother, and the emergence of the natural world, Te Ao Mārama, from the darkness and nothingness, Te Pō and Te Kore respectively.
• The overall narrative is expressed through four key concept elements which are incorporated into each station's designs:
o Sky Element - an architectural façade that is representative of Ranginui responding to both the narrative opportunity and the key functional and technical requirements of the station.
o Earth Element - an architectural facade that is representative of Papatūānuku responding to both the narrative opportunity and the key functional and technical requirements of the station.
o Threshold Element - a public art response that is representative of the relevant Atua identified for each station responding to the expression of station identity.
o Fourth Element - station common elements that are representative of Te Whaio for example tunnel vent shafts, secondary entrances and other station secondary elements within the public domain.
Amenity, accessibility and CPTED
• Karanga-a-Hape Station’s final design meets accessibility and universal design standards, so that everyone can easily use it and navigate around it.
• The urban realm includes the street environment surrounding Karanga-a-Hape Station. The area will be well lit, visible, and accessible for everyone.
• Loading zones have been incorporated into the design where possible, aligned to guidelines from Auckland Council and Auckland Transport. Due to the space required for the station entrance at Beresford Square, loading zones will not be reinstated in their previous locations. A mixture of loading zones and short-term parking spots will be available between Day Street and Hopetoun Street, on both sides of the road.
• Cycle parking by the Mercury Lane entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station will provide people connecting with trains and/or buses somewhere safe and convenient places to secure their bike. There are 10 cycle parking spots at both the Beresford Square entrance (between the service block and entrance building) and Mercury Lane entrance (in the lane between East Street and Mercury Lane).
• Throughout design development, Link Alliance met regularly with the Auckland Council Capital Projects Accessibility Group to seek design feedback from disability advocates and promote best practice.
• Feedback from local communities has resulted in design changes that reflect a desire for public spaces that always feel safe. Public toilets will be available on Beresford Square, as well inside both station entrances (Beresford Square and Mercury Lane) after the ticket gates
Construction scope and methodology
• Urban realm construction extends across Beresford Square from Day Street to Pitt Street and an area in front of the Mercury Lane entrance
The works include:
• Installation of new footpaths and cycle infrastructure
• Installation of new road pavement
• Upgrades of new stormwater infrastructure and other utility services
• Construction of a tree grove and tree planting
• Landscaping works
• Installation of street furniture.
• The works will be undertaken in a staged manner.
• Construction will generally take place Monday to Saturday, 7am to 10pm. However, certain activities may need to occur outside these hours to minimise traffic impacts or disruption to businesses or residents, such as delivery of large plant or network utility works where the Network Utility Operator (NUO) requires works to be undertaken at night.
• To maintain pedestrian access to business and properties, night works may be required for the installation of pavers. Night works shall be limited to the placing of pre-cut pavers and asphalt paving. Cutting of pavers shall be undertaken during daytime construction hours.
• The works will include concrete pouring which will be done in a staged manner to minimise impacts on residents and businesses when possible.
• The use of hydrovacs will be needed for some of the works to safely excavate around gas and electrical lines
Environmental effects management
Noise, vibration, and dust control
• All practicable steps will be taken to minimise impact of noise and vibration on the local community, this includes the construction methodology and the time of day we complete disruptive works.
• Noise mats around excavation and paving works will reduce noise from concrete saws and hydro-excavators.
• Machinery will be positioned to minimise noise impact on surrounding buildings where possible.
• Scrim and solid hoardings will minimise any dust effects, and where necessary water will be used to control dust.
Safety and security
• Construction sites will be designed to maximise safety and security for pedestrians and others using the space.
• Link Alliance employs full-time security guards to patrol public areas and operates a network of 24/7 CCTV cameras. Safety of our crews and the public is our top priority.
• Lighting is installed on canopies to ensure the site areas are well-lit at night.
Parking and property access
• Access and loading will be maintained for local businesses and residents, or appropriate alternatives will be found.
• At times traffic controllers will manage access to loading bays in accordance with traffic management plans.
• Contractor parking will be proactively managed to avoid over occupying on-street spaces and loading zones.
Traffic changes
• On-street signage will provide advance notice of changes to the road layout.
• Ample notice will be given to neighbours about any road closures.
Visual impacts
• A mixture of solid hoardings and fences are used around the site to meet the safety requirements while providing light, visibility, and visual aesthetics.
Pedestrian access
• Safe property and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times with temporary diversions in place as construction progresses.
• Pedestrians may need to be re-routed at times around works but we will use wayfinding signage to help find and access businesses
Support for businesses, residents, and visitors
• The City Rail Link will bring considerable benefits to Auckland including a vastly improved rail network and attractive new streetscapes and public spaces. However, delivery of this new asset inevitably causes challenges for businesses and the surrounding community.
• Link Alliance’s Small Business Support Programme (SBSP) has been designed to support small businesses with fewer than 10 staff. It provides an independent business connector to help identify business needs and to provide individualised, free, accessible support and specialist services.
• Link Alliance also works with a range of partners to enhance the public experience in the area during construction, including activations and events to encourage visitation and spending at local businesses. Our support of ‘First Thursdays’ and three annual large-scale activations in the area shall continue into 2024. For more information on how we support businesses please visit www.cityraillink.co.nz/business-support.
• Businesses closest to the station construction site may be eligible for the Targeted Hardship Fund – financial support for businesses experiencing hardship as a direct result of development activity. More information about the Targeted Hardship Fund is available online at https://www.cityraillink.co.nz/targetedhardshipfund
Trees
• Replanting is a key part of the urban design plan which, will deliver an improved public realm and street environment around the station.
• Our public realm works will include construction of a new tree pit near Hopetoun Street that will allow trees to grow to their full potential without the roots damaging services and footpaths.
• The number of tree pits we can build around the station is heavily constrained by the underground utilities in the area. This means that we are unable to replant trees in the same locations as they have been removed.
• The CRL project is planting almost twice as many trees that were removed from the construction zone in areas close to the stations.
• Planting around Karanga-a-Hape Station will include semi-mature trees approximately four to six metres tall to accelerate establishment.
• Additionally, low level planting will complement an enhanced street environment.
• The Auckland Council arborist team and mana whenua have collaborated with Link Alliance to choose the species, spacing and positioning of new trees and plants.
• Planting will be a mix of natives and exotics. The selection will support the station’s cultural and design narrative.
Karangahape Road narrative
When the City Rail Link (CRL) opens, it will be easier for people to get to and from the Karangahape neighbourhood from south, east and west Auckland. Auckland Transport estimates that up to 40,000 people will use Karanga-a-Hape Station every day via entrances on Beresford Square and Mercury
Lane. The massive change this new station will bring presents new challenges for moving people safely around the neighbourhood and exciting opportunities to improve what is in place currently.
With this in mind, Auckland Transport will be delivering the Karanga-a-Hape Station neighbourhood and bus improvements project, also known as Project K.
Karanga-a-Hape Station neighbourhood and bus improvements project
https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/karanga-a-hape-station-neighbourhood-and-busimprovements-project/
The Karanga-a-Hape Station neighbourhood and bus improvements project will see a redesign of the areas around the station, particularly in Mercury Lane.
The changes proposed as part of Project K are designed to:
• make it easier for people to walk and cycle around the area safely.
• make travelling by bus easier, quicker, more reliable, and create better connections between buses and trains.
• make connections between the new Karanga-a-Hape Station and the surrounding (thriving) neighbourhood, easy, safe and intuitive.
Affected areas
The proposed neighbourhood improvements will include:
• new cycleways up and down Pitt Street, as well as down Mercury Lane.
• 24/7 bus lanes on Pitt Street in both directions
• A pedestrian mall on Mercury Lane
• A widened footpath down Mercury Lane, as well as additional footpath space along Cross Street.
In conjunction with the Karanga-a-Hape Station neighbourhood and bus improvements, a major redesign of bus services for Auckland’s Northwest is underway, including the introduction of a new frequent Western Express bus service, that will travel along Karangahape Road and Pitt Street.
Buses also bring people to the Karangahape neighbourhood from the North Shore and Auckland’s inner suburbs, such as Point Chevalier, Grey Lynn, Westmere, Ponsonby, Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton. With an estimated 15,000-20,000 people per day using these buses, this will be an important and busy transport hub.
Tactics and channels
Item Description
Look ahead brochure
A5 flyer, including free coffee voucher
Drop-in sessions
Good news stories
Media release
Internal communications
Refreshed look ahead brochure with staging of works for urban realm.
Flyer to promote promoting engagement opportunities and communications channels
Drop-in sessions at the information Hub on Beresford Square.
Showcasing continued progress of station below and above-ground streetscapes contributing to the regeneration of midtown.
First paver
Brief sub-contractors on being a good neighbours and alliance expectations for direct interface with local stakeholders.
Auckland Transport collaboration Specifics to be advised according to Auckland Transport stakeholder engagement and development response plan
Development Response
Key stakeholder briefings
Existing suite of initiatives to continue such as First Thursday sponsorship and street wide activations. Provision of business signage on scrim and fences. Clear and accurate wayfinding signage to ensure shops are easily accessible. Small Business Support Package to be relaunched in 2024.
Stakeholders/audiences
Core collateral for all stakeholders / audiences
Locally impacted stakeholders
Locally impacted stakeholders
Newsletter database CRL social channels
Media
Pre-start meetings Toolboxes
Regular / ongoing interface with Auckland Transport’s Project K teams
KBA,impacted businesses, travelling public
Stakeholder site tours
In addition to drop-in sessions at the Infohub, urban realm slides to be developed and presentations offered to relevant groups.
Key stakeholders impacted by urban realm activities to be offered underground tours.
Waitemata Local Board, Albert Eden Local Board, MWF, KBA, Mercury Theatre and any relevant or impacted stakeholder group that might benefit.
All those impacted
Apartment building meetings As required
Potentially 22 Beresford Square, the closest apartment to urban realm works CLG
Community Reference Group [AT]
Risks and mitigations
Quarterly updates
Present at AT’s CRG for Project K Liaise with AT about appropriate timing
Inadequate communication/coordination with neighbouring projects
In a rapidly shifting environment, communication and coordination may be challenging between City Rail Link, Link Alliance, and other construction projects.
• Key messages are shared and agreed across Link Alliance, CRLL and Auckland Transport
• Changes to programme are shared at regular KBA meetings
• Works notifications to stakeholders are frequent, accurate and timely
Dates and timeframes for the streetscape works change or extend, creating uncertainty or additional programme / extended works:
• Close working relationship with construction team to provide ‘no surprises’ to stakeholders at the earliest opportunity
• Proactively manage stakeholder expectations upfront by including relevant programme key messages in all communications
• Ensure works notifications meet minimum requirements, while also allowing some room for movement where possible.
Business impact
High impact works negatively affect small businesses in the area.
• The C&E team will continue to support local businesses through a range of measures including:
o Ensuring all construction mitigations are in place
o Street response and activation programme
o LA Small Business Support Programme
o Continue First Thursdays and event activations to support footfall in the area
• Local business procurement where possible
• Ongoing liaison with KBA to support local businesses.
Reputational damage (notably poor contractor behaviour)
Reputational damage to the Link Alliance and City Rail Link if construction activity and working hours are progressed in an insensitive way causing distress and therefore action from stakeholders:
• Construction work is planned in line with the Link Alliance’s charter, principles and objectives
• Construction activity is discussed and planned with environmental and C&E teams
• Proactive discussions with stakeholders where there is heightened risk (e.g. high-impact works, sensitive stakeholders)
• Construction progress and good news stories from the project are shared across communications channels.
Tree replacement programme
The trees being replaced do not meet community expectations in terms of quantity/size/speciesalso risk of some trees dying.
• A shared set of key messages has been developed for use across channels and stakeholders
• Tree locations and species are shared with the community, with clear context/background about the limited space to replant, particularly around Karanga-a-Hape Station
• Close engagement with arborist and maintenance team to ensure appropriate care of trees following planting.
* refer to the FAQ section for a list of species and planting locations
Construction mitigations
Best practice construction mitigations fail to be adequately implemented (e.g. noise, vibration, dust mitigations).
• As per BAU practice (see key messages above), close work with environmental, construction and subcontractor teams to ensure all required mitigations in place or exceeded.
• Key messages and documents outlining dust issues the building wash processes can be found here
Project partner and key stakeholder engagement
Project partner/ stakeholder Engagement focus
CRLL
Mana whenua
Ensure no surprises and escalate emerging risks as required. Liaise regarding milestone / sponsor opportunities.
Provide brochure and summary of streetscape engagement.
Auckland Transport Detailed coordination required to ensure disruption management is implemented on site and communicated to Aucklanders
Channel/ Frequency
As required – escalation via Link Alliance Head of C&E.
Via CRLL & Mana Whenua Forum.
Fortnightly meetings / site walks with alliance interface team.
Karangahape Business Association
Waitematā Local Board
Ensure no surprises about construction programme and mitigations. Ensure KBA is aware of any SBSP changes, launch, and coordination with midtown SBSP. Seek advocacy/support (e.g. SBSP) and share KBA promotional material where appropriate/agreed.
Ensure fully briefed as part of regular CRLL workshop programme, especially on key interest items such as small business support and tree planting.
Fortnightly meetings.
Briefings via CRLL as required
Community Liaison Group
Locally impacted stakeholders (i.e. landowners, businesses, apartment buildings)
Ensure regularly briefed and feedback captured. Possibility to increase frequency of meetings as required, particularly in early phase of work programme.
BAU construction notification as per Minimum Requirements (i.e. 10 days notice for significant works / site changes). Ensure all construction mitigations in place (e.g. alternative loading zones, noise/dust controls, etc).
C&E activity schedule
Month
September 2023 CLG meeting
At least quarterly.
Email notifications
Monthly newsletters
Drop-in sessions
Site tours
October 2023 Key messages approved LA (input from CRLL/AC/AT)
October 2023 Brochure approved & printed LA (input from CRLL)
September/October 2023 One-on-one meetings with key stakeholders LA Ongoing
November 2023 Early / enabling works begin Beresford Square LA Completed
December 2023 CLG meeting LA Completed
February 2024 Door-knocking / brochure pack delivery (including for SSCNVP requirements) LA Completed
March 2024 CLG meeting LA Completed
May 2024 Email / newsletter – invite opportunity for one-on-one meetings LA In progress
May 2024 Info Hub drop-in sessions LA w/c 20 May
May 2024 Key stakeholder meetings about Theta driveway closure
Ongoing
Mid-June Theta driveway closure LA Ongoing
June CLG meeting LA upcoming