Introduction

On 14 December 2016, the NZ Transport Agency lodged resource consent applications and Notices of Requirement (NoR) with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for the Northern Corridor Improvements project.

More information on the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Board of Inquiry (BOI) process

Visit the Environmental Protection Authority website(external link) for the latest information on the hearing's procedures and to read copies of evidence and findings as they are released. 

Overview

This application to the EPA preceded a Board of Inquiry (BOI) public hearing held in mid-2017, and sought a decision for new or amended land designation rights and resource consents through the Northern Corridor Improvements area. Following the hearing, the BOI announced its approvals on 22 November 2017.

As a result, the project has now moved into detailed design, property acquisition and construction.

About this process

The resource consent application forms and Notices of Requirement (NoR) contained on this website form a lodgement application by the NZ Transport Agency in December 2016 to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), asking for planning permissions for the Northern Corridor Improvements project to be considered by an Independent Board of Inquiry.

The applications were lodged with the EPA because the Northern Corridor Improvements project will complete the Western Ring Route, one of the government’s Roads of National Significance:

  • The NoR notices on this website state what land is required to build the new motorway connection, Northern Busway extension, upgraded State Highway 18 and associated local road, walking and cycling upgrades.
  • The resource consent application forms and supporting assessment of environmental effects describe the project’s possible effects on the environment and community and the ways these may be avoided, remedied or mitigated.
  • These forms and the AEE are supported by the in-depth technical and assessment reports and the drawings/plan set. The drawings are not created as stand-alone documents and show concepts only. They should be read in conjunction with the associated technical assessment report(s).
  • A non-technical guide [PDF, 1.4 MB] to help you read this documentation.

On the 22 February 2017 the EPA announced a four week public submission process, which closed on 22 March 2017. 33 submissions were received by the EPA during this process.

A BOI public hearing including the presentation of evidence and deliberations was  then held in mid-2017.

The EPA has created a new section on its website(external link) to host all of the submitter's evidence, the Transport Agency's evidence, BOI updates and explanations of the hearing procedures.

On 22 November 2017, the BOI announced it had granted approval for all the resource consents and designations for the project. The final decision and related construction conditions are also available on the EPA website section listed above.

About the Northern Corridor Improvements project

The Northern Corridor Improvements project aims to support the significant growth in Albany and the North Shore area by providing more travel options and improving travel time reliability for cars, freight, public transport users, walkers and cyclists.

The project will provide an alternative route to travelling on SH1 through the central city by creating a new, direct motorway connection between SH1 and an upgraded Upper Harbour Highway (SH18) – opening up access to the Western Ring Route,  soon to be opened Waterview Tunnels (linking SH16 and SH20) and Auckland Airport.

It will also increase capacity on SH1 between Constellation Drive and Oteha Valley Road by adding lanes in both directions, extend the Northern Busway to Albany Bus Station, make a series of local road improvements and create a high quality shared path for walkers and cyclists.

Find out more

To read more background on the project visit our main project website at www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-northern-corridor(external link)

To gain an overview of the proposed NCI project watch this animation video of the concept design(external link).

Northern Corridor concept design animation