About the Transmission Gully project
What is the Transmission Gully project?
The Transmission Gully project is a project to build a 27-km four-lane (two in each direction) motorway from MacKays Crossing to Linden (through Transmission Gully). There will be interchanges connecting the route to State Highway 58 and Kenepuru with a connection to Kenepuru Drive. In addition, there will be two link roads from the eastern Porirua suburbs of Whitby and Waitangirua to the route. The Porirua City Council will be the authority responsible for the Whitby and Waitangirua link roads. The project entails protection or relocation of utilities including transmission towers.
Why build Transmission Gully?
Transmission Gully project will provide:
- A safer road: four-lane route with central median barrier, with additional crawler lanes on the steepest section.
- Reduced likelihood of landslides, floods and damage to the highway from a major storm or earthquake.
- Quicker reinstatement than the existing State Highway 1 in the event of a major earthquake.
- Peak period travel time savings estimated at around 10 minutes per vehicle for Kapiti to/from Wellington, 15 minutes Kapiti to/from Hutt, five to seven minutes Porirua to/from Hutt Valley.
- Easier access from State Highway 1 to Porirua and Hutt Valley with shorter and more efficient freight movements to and from Seaview/Gracefield, Wingate and the Wairarapa.
- Important arterial connections for residential and light commercial areas in Porirua east to the SH network.
How will the Wellington region benefit?
The Transmission Gully route will:
- Provide an alternative strategic link for the Wellington region which will improve regional road network security.
- Assist in remedying the safety concerns and projected capacity problems on the existing State Highway 1 by providing a safe, reliable and more responsive route between MacKays Crossing and Linden in an environmentally responsive manner.
- Assist in enabling wider economic development by providing a cost-optimised route that better provides for the through-movement of freight and people.
- Assist in the integration of New Zealand's land transport system by enabling the existing State Highway 1coastal route to be developed into a safe multi-functional alternative to the proposed new strategic link.
When will the Transmission Gully project be completed?
If the proposed designations and consents are granted, the timetable for the Transmission Gully project has construction programmed to begin in 2015 and completed by 2021.
What will happen to the existing State Highway 1 coastal route between MacKays Crossing and Linden?
No decision about the future form of the existing State Highway 1 coastal route between MacKays Crossing and Linden has been made but this will be carried out in consultation with the local communities and Councils.
The consenting process
What is the consenting process for the Transmission Gully project?
The NZTA has undertaken a two-step consenting process for the Transmission Gully project.
- The first step saw the NZTA lodge a request with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in September 2010 for a change to the Wellington Regional Freshwater Plan to provide a clearer policy framework within which to seek regional consents for activities in and on water bodies. A Board of Inquiry hearing was held on the request in July 2011 and the Board announced its final decision on 10 October 2011. Details of the final decision can be accessed on the EPA website.
- In the second step of the regulatory consenting process, the NZTA (together with the Porirua City Council and Transpower) lodged Notice of Requirement and resource consent applications for the Transmission Gully project with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on 15 August 2011. A Board of Inquiry heard the applications in February-March 2012 and released its draft decision on 4 May 2012 with a final decision due in June 2012. The Board’s draft decision can be accessed on the EPA website.
What is the Environmental Protection Authority's role?
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) makes a recommendation to the Minister for the Environment as to whether an application should be directed to a Board of Inquiry, the Environment Court or to the local authority. When directed to a Board, the EPA's role is to give public notice, receive submissions, and to assist the Board in administering the process for hearing and deciding on the notices of requirement and resource consent applications. The EPA does not have a decision-making role. More information on the role and functions of the EPA is available on the EPA website.
Why did the NZTA lodge its August 2011 applications for the Transmission Gully project with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)?
The notices of requirement and resource consent applications were lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as the NZTA consider that Transmission Gully project is a proposal of national significance as defined by the RMA.
What is the relationship of the Porirua City Council and Transpower applications to the NZTA Transmission Gully Project application?
Porirua City Council is lodging Notices of Requirement (and the associated resource consents) to designate two Link Roads at Waitangirua and Whitby, which when completed would link eastern Porirua into a new interchange on the main alignment. Applications are also being lodged by Transpower for the resource consents needed to relocate and strengthen towers in order for the main Transmission Gully alignment to be constructed. All three applicants have requested that all of the applications pertaining to the Transmission Gully Project be referred to a Board of Inquiry and to be heard together.
Where can I view the notices of requirement and resource consent applications for the Transmission Gully project?
These can be viewed on the NZTA website: Transmission Gully EPA application.
Current project status
The NZTA will be providing comments to the Board of Inquiry on its draft decision (released on 4 May 2012) on the notices of requirement and resource consent applications lodged for the Transmission Gully project. The Board’s final decision is expected in June 2012.
