Media release

Tuesday 13 March 2007

Newmarket Business Association

Auckland shopping mecca to finally get visionary new rail station

"Newmarket businesses have long been lobbying for their upmarket precinct to have world-class rail facilities. Today the Auckland Regional Council gave the green light to see this vision delivered. This is a major victory for Newmarket and for Auckland passenger transport generally," said Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association.

"In the past we have said our rail facilities unfortunately resemble those in Whangamomona - a central Taranaki ghost town. As the most important rail junction in the region, we needed to do better. Today's decision that the Government and region is to spend $65 million on a new station and junction upgrades is a huge win for Auckland's second CBD.

"There have been all sorts of propositions peddled in recent times. The prospect of perching the existing heritage station up alongside Remuera Road under a modern glass canopy had no public support. What's more no one wanted an additional permanent rail station in Kingdon Street. The decision to have just one new central station in Newmarket is a great outcome.

“It’s going to be a real gateway for Newmarket, with escalators going down to dual platforms, additional rail lines to avoid those shunting delays, and better public access to the station from all directions.

"No one wants to lose heritage buildings but the transport authorities were left with no option. Given the very tight space, the 1908 station simply could not be credibly accommodated with the new in the existing Newmarket rail precinct. That fabulous old Kauri building is set to be restored and relocated to an appropriate environment.

"I salute the ARC, ARTA and Ontrack on committing to deliver something visionary and future-focused," said Mr Brewer.

Ends

Transport policy committee:
Newmarket Junction solution
13 March 2007

The redevelopment of the Newmarket rail junction took a significant step forward today with central and local government and rail planners all backing a single strategy for improvements.

The ARC’s transport policy committee today voted to support an ONTRACK proposal to build a modern concourse with multiple platforms in Newmarket’s centre.

Committee chairman Joel Cayford said the proposed dual-island Newmarket solution gave the rail network greater capacity to carry both passengers and freight.
“This solution makes running trains every 10-minutes possible once the double-tracking of the Western line is complete. It also gives future flexibility to run services directly between the west and south.

“Altering the track layout at the northern end of Newmarket removes the need for Western line services to undertake a ‘three-point-turn’. There will also be a bypass track for express and special event services.”

Councillor Cayford said the plan takes account of the possible relocation of the Boston Road rail station closer to Khyber Pass/Park Road, which would bring rail services closer to Auckland Hospital.

Another issue that has been grappled with is saving the existing historic Newmarket rail station building. This must be moved in order to allow improvements to the rail line.

The committee today backed its preservation, at a different site. The council’s heritage experts will be involved in saving the 1908 building, and ONTRACK and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority have indicated it may be able to be used at a new Parnell station.

The committee has also supported the retention of the temporary station that will need to be built at Kingdon St to allow construction.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority will consult closely with the ARC and the Newmarket community about design options for the rail station and concourse buildings.

“The needs of the local community and the travelling public are crucial to our decision-making,” Councillor Cayford said.

Central government today gave the green light for the Newmarket junction improvements and the reopening of the Onehunga branch line.

The upgrades will form part of the current projects being carried out in Auckland by ONTRACK and ARTA. The Newmarket junction improvements cost $65 million, with $25 million provided by the region and $40 million by central government.

Ends

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