Uncertainty over fast-track project2 min read

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The government’s decision to fast-track the proposed Avondale-Southdown railway corridor through Onehunga has raised concerns among local residents, with no guarantee that the project will get the green light.

As a local resident, MP Greg Fleming, shares his concerns after the Avondale-Southdown Corridor was included in the government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. The bill, announced in early October, aims to accelerate 149 projects across New Zealand, including the long-planned cross-isthmus rail line.

“I share the same concerns as the rest of the community, as this project will have a detrimental impact on all of us,” he says. “However, I am grateful it’s being addressed as it’s been on paper for the last 80 years.”

Greg says that fast-tracking the project does not guarantee it will be approved. “The fast track removes red tape, but it still needs approval. The bill must pass, funding must be secured and most importantly, the community needs to be consulted.”

Locals have been left in limbo for years, uncertain about KiwiRail’s plans for their land that snakes through Onehunga.

“If the project moves forward, critical details, such as the exact route of the corridor and whether it will be below or above ground, need to be discussed.”

Last year, Onehunga residents were relieved when the Auckland Light Rail (ALR) project, which would have used the same KiwiRail land, was halted. However, this proposed Avondale-Southdown line has reignited concerns in the community, as it would use the same land previously allocated for the ALR.

KiwiRail Holdings Limited, the project’s applicant, describes the railway as a significant addition to Auckland’s heavy rail network. The project will establish a vital east-west connection from Avondale to Southdown via Onehunga, enhancing public transport and providing a freight bypass for the inner-city area.