Introduction 1

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 involves the construction of two new underground stations at Aotea and Karangahape, and a redeveloped station at Mt Eden (refer to Figure 1-1). The design and construction of the CRL infrastructure between Aotea and Mt Eden Stations is being delivered by the Link Alliance.

This Tree and Vegetation Delivery Work Plan (TV DWP) has been prepared in relation to the Mt Eden Enabling Works (“the Project”).

Figure 1--1: CRL Route and Location

1.1 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 to the existing NAL, including the construction of the redeveloped Mt Eden Station. The Mt Eden Active Construction Zone (ACZ) and Construction Support Area (CSA) is 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:

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Construction of an underground grade separation structure near Mt Eden Station; A new Mt Eden Station building incorporating passenger linkages; Modifications to the existing Mt Eden Station platforms; Road over rail bridges at Mt Eden Road, Normanby Road and Ruru Street with sections of road realignment; Grade separation structures for the existing and new rail lines to pass-over and connect with each other;

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 works in Mt Eden, construction will be undertaken in a staged manner.

This TV DWP only relates to the first stage of these works, the Mt Eden Enabling Works, as described in Section 2 below.

Following completion of the Mt Eden Enabling Works, works in this area will involve:

Main construction works –these works will include: Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations, structure construction and waterproofing/tanking for cut and cover tunnels, utilities installation, retaining wall for Ruru Street extension, construction of the rail line tieins including junctions and grade separation structures, realignment of the existing Western Line including platform reconstruction, grade separation of Normanby Road, pedestrian / cyclist bridges at Fenton Street and Porters Avenue, construction of the new station buildings. The Main Works will be undertaken from Mid 2020 through to 2024. Public realm reinstatement –these works will involve establishing the final finishings and features that will comprise the completed Mt Eden Station and surrounds and will likely to be undertaken from 2021 to first quarter-2024.

The removal of trees within the CRL Mt Eden Active Construction Zone (ACZ) and Construction Support Area (CSA) have been approved as part of the Mt Eden Demolition works (OPW60335715). However, there are seven pohutukawa trees required for removal along Fenton Street to enable the temporary and permanent utility diversions that are necessary for the construction of the CRL. This TV DWP has been prepared to address the removal of these trees.

1.2 Purpose of the Trees and Vegetation 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 the potential adverse effects on trees and vegetation during the Mt Eden Enabling Works. The objective of the 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 addresses the requirements of CRL designation condition 55 and will be implemented throughout the construction period.

This TV DWP has been prepared in consultation with the Mt Eden Community and Business Liaison Group (CLG) and has undergone independent peer review prior to submission to Auckland Council (as per designation conditions 7 and 11). A record of consultation outcomes (CLG and independent peer review) is provided in Appendix A.

1.3 Relevant Conditions Table 1-1 identifies the designation conditions relevant to this DWP and where they are addressed in the document.

Table 1-1: Trees and Vegetation conditions and DWP Section where addressed

Condition No.

55.1

55.2

55.3

Condition Relevant section of DWP

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. Section 3.1

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, reinstatement 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. Section 3.1 and 4

Section 3.1

Section 4

Section 4

Section 5

1.4 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 Mt Eden Enabling Works, or to address unforeseen adverse effects on trees and vegetation arising from construction, or unresolved complaints. Any material changes to this TV DWP must be approved by Auckland Council prior to any on-site activity reliant upon the change commencing. Refer to Section 6.7 of the CEMP for further detail on the review and updating process.