| 25 T T Kelly Deeks Transport forum plays key role The One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum brings together government, infrastructure agencies, developers, and the community to work through the demands created by major residential development. One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A $30 million saving on Matakana Link Road and a redesign that avoided shutting Warkworth’s town centre for a year are among the results of a forum working to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with the Mahurangi region’s growth. Established about eight years ago by the One Mahurangi Business Association and then-local MP Mark Mitchell, the One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum brings together government, infrastructure agencies, developers, and the community to work through the demands created by major residential developments. Forum co-chair, Dave Stott, who also chairs the business association, says four major developments are expected to deliver thousands of homes over the next 10 to 15 years. The forum aims to coordinate plans and resolve problems before they become costly obstacles. Its work has included contributing to the redesign of Matakana Link Road, saving an estimated $30 million, and the detailed design of the Hill Street intersection. The forum also helped develop an alternative method for installing a wastewater pipeline through Warkworth’s central business district, avoiding an open-trench approach that could have closed the town centre for 12 months. The group also advocated successfully against tolls on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. Dave says avoiding tolls saves the community about $15 million a year. The forum’s strength lies in the experience around the table. Dave, a civil engineer with about 50 years’ experience, says members include engineers, planners and architects with extensive project experience. That technical knowledge is paired with relationships built over years with decision-makers across Auckland Transport, Watercare, Auckland Council, NZ Transport Agency, Vector, and local government. It also works with local MPs, and is co-chaired by the electorate MP. “If we have a problem, we can go right to the top and talk to the person who can make a decision,” Dave says. The approach is increasingly important as developments progress across the district. Do it once, do it right Proudly Supporting One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum Rhodes for Roads is a highly experienced civil construction company which proudly boasts a modern fleet of well maintained trucks and trailers, excavators, graders, rollers, dump-trucks and loaders of varying size. Rhodes for Roads has been delivering water to both households and businesses in the local area for over 40 years. As a registered drinking water supplier in New Zealand we can offer quality artesian water or town supply water. 14 Hudson Rd, Warkworth 09 425 8454 | 0800 747 928 enquiries@rhodesforroads.co.nz www.rhodesforroads.co.nz • Metal Supplies • Site Works • Roading • Excavation • Driveways • Dams • Drainlaying • House Sites • Water Deliveries Projects include The Landing in Warkworth, with about 750 homes and residential units, and plans by Arvida for more housing and a retirement village. Other developments are underway, or have further stages planned. Dave says infrastructure planning cannot focus on roads and wastewater alone. While these networks must expand, growth also creates demand for recreation areas, health and education services, and other community facilities. The forum is discussing potential funding approaches with council and local MPs, including ways for development to contribute to the infrastructure it requires. He says agencies have traditionally worked in silos, making it difficult to coordinate projects that depend on one another. The forum provides a place to share information, identify clashes, and work towards common solutions. A forum meeting in July included updates on Watercare’s planned $450M investment in Warkworth and Snells Beach, road projects, and the next stages of the motorway north. (I"(bI [ϙϙϙиϙϙϙ iaa( I [ϙϙϙиϙϙϙ( F®iXϙЭϙ I«I[ϙϙϙиϙϙϙiV( ϙa b @(a(b FÍıĖŜēϙ͏͑͐ϙ͏͕͗ϙ͔͗͐͒ ÍîıĖljЬîĺææƅljæŪĖīîôŘŜϟèĺϟljƏ îĺææƅljæŪĖīîôŘŜϟèĺϟljƏ
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