1. Introduction

The City Rail Link (CRL) project comprises the construction, operation and maintenance of a 3.4 km underground passenger railway, running between Britomart Station and the North Auckland Rail Line (NAL) in the vicinity of Mt Eden Station. The CRL also involves the construction of two new underground stations at Aotea and Karangahape and a redeveloped Mt Eden Station (refer to Figure 1-1). The design and construction of the CRL infrastructure between the Aotea and Mt Eden Stations is being delivered by the Link Alliance.

Figure 1-1: CRL Route and Location

This Trees and Vegetation Delivery Work Plan (TV DWP) has been prepared in relation to the Mt Eden Station Main Works (“main works”) Overview of CRL Works in Mt Eden

The CRL works in the Mt Eden area involve the construction of the southern section of the tunnel structures and the tie-in of the CRL railway to the existing NAL, including the construction of the redeveloped Mt Eden Station. The Mt Eden Active Construction Zone (ACZ) and Construction Support Areas (CSAs) are generally located between Nikau Street to the north, State Highway 1 (SH1) to the east, Dominion Road to the west and the existing NAL to the south.

The works in this area include:

Operational activity required to support the tunnel boring machine (TBM) drive, including control room and plant, storage and spoil handling; Construction of a new Mt Eden Station building, incorporating passenger linkages between the new CRL platform and the modified existing NAL platform; Construction of a ventilation building; Road over rail bridges at Mt Eden Road, Normanby Road and Ruru Street with sections of road realignment;

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Grade separation structures for the existing and new rail lines to pass-over and connect with each other, including the Newton Junction Grade Separation Structure, the Eastern Facing Connection and the Western Facing Connection; Installation of retaining walls and utilities; Pedestrian and cyclist bridge structures at Fenton Street and Porters Avenue; and New road linkages within the reinstated area post-construction.

Given the nature and scale of CRL construction works in Mt Eden, works are being undertaken in a staged manner, involving:

Enabling and early works (demolition, network utility relocation and site establishment work) –early works have commenced and will continue to end of 2020; Main construction works (construction of the underground CRL cut and cover tunnels, grade separation structures and trenches, station building and platforms, and tie-ins to the NAL) to be undertaken from mid-2020 through to mid-2023; and Public realm reinstatement –likely to be undertaken from 2021 to early 2024.

Purpose of the TV DWP

In accordance with CRL designation condition 55, this TV DWP has been prepared to identify measures that will be implemented to mitigate and manage potential adverse effects on trees and vegetation during the main works.

The objective of this TV DWP (designation condition 55.2) is:

To avoid the removal of scheduled trees as far as practicable; and Where trees are identified for removal during surface works the Requiring Authority will remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of construction on trees and vegetation.

This TV DWP forms part of the CEMP for the main works. It has been developed in consultation with the CRL Mana Whenua Forum and Community and Business Liaison Group. A record of the consultation and review outcomes, including the Link Alliance’s response to matters raised, is included in Appendix A.

TV DWP Author

This TV DWP has been prepared by Matthew Paul, the Link Alliance’s appointed Works Arborist. Matthew has a Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6) and has extensive experience as a consultant arborist, working on large scale infrastructure projects in Auckland.

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Relevant Conditions

Table 2-1 outlines the designation conditions relevant to this TV DWP and where they are addressed in the document.

Table 2-1 Designation conditions for trees and vegetation and where addressed in this document

Condition No.

55.1

55.2

55.3

Condition

A Trees and Vegetation DWP shall be prepared to manage the adverse effects from the removal of trees and vegetation during the construction of the City Rail Link or any part of it.

The objective of the Trees and Vegetation DWP is to avoid the removal of scheduled trees as far as practicable. Where trees are identified for removal in surface works the Requiring Authority will remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of construction on trees and vegetation.

To achieve the above objective the following shall be included in the Trees and Vegetation DWP and implemented as required:

(a) Confirmation of the trees to be removed due to surface construction works and whether it is appropriate and feasible to relocate or store these trees for replanting. The removal of scheduled trees which form a significant group should only be undertaken as a last resort;

(b) A list of trees, which due to being in proximity to construction works, have root systems and / or foliage within and / or overhanging the surface designation footprint, and the methods to be used, where practicable, to protect these trees from construction works;

(c) Cross references to the Urban Design DWP and the proposed mitigation of any tree / vegetation removal through replanting trees at a 1:1 ratio, re-instatement of the area, and other methods. In preparing the Trees and Vegetation DWP, the Requiring Authority shall seek input from the Auckland Council Parks Department with regard to tree species / vegetation selection, tree pit construction where deemed necessary, and the positioning of replacement trees and from directly affected land owners with regards to preferences for any replacement planting for vegetation / trees removed from private property or for any replacement planting on private property;

(d) Other methods to be used to monitor and report on the management of the adverse effects from tree / vegetation removal;

(e) Cross references to the specific sections in the Communication and Consultation Plan which detail how the Auckland Council Parks Department, mana whenua (see condition 8) are consulted, and communication with the general public on the management of the adverse effects relating to the removal of trees and vegetation.

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Relevant section of DWP

This document

4.2

3.1 to 3.3

3.1 , 4.2.1 to 4.2.6

5.0

4.2.1 to 4.2.6

5.0

DWP Review and Updates

This TV DWP is a live document that will be reviewed at least annually, or as a result of a material change to the project, or to address unforeseen adverse effects on trees and vegetation arising from construction, or unresolved complaints. Refer to the CEMP for further detail on the review and updating process.

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