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Penlink (also known as the Weiti Toll Road) is a proposed direct road between the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the Northern Motorway. |
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Latest Penlink
news |
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(96k)Legislation Enabling Penlink Funding Progressing through Parliament [March
17, 2008]
The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill 2007 was introduced in to
Parliament for First Reading in October 2007, accompanied by a call for
submissions by December 20, 2007. Rodney District Council made a
submission, and Rodney Mayor Penny Webster spoke to the Select Committee
submission before the Parliamentary Select Committee for Transport and
Industrial Relations on February 27, 2008. The Bill enables the
introduction of a Regional Fuel Tax for Auckland to provide further funding for
Regional transport projects. The Minister of Transport has confirmed “that
central Government anticipates that rail electrification and Penlink will
feature in the Auckland regional fuel tax scheme.”
Public interest in the Bill has been very high, resulting in a large number of
submissions to the Select Committee. This level of response has caused the
scheduling of an extended round of Hearings on the draft legislation. The high
level of interest in the Bill is encouraging for Council, but the extended
schedule has caused a shift in the Select Committee reporting date back to
Parliament to May 23, 2008. This program should lead to final passing of
the legislation shortly thereafter, allowing Council to commence the tender
process early in the third quarter of 2008.
View a copy of the Council submission to the
Land
Transport Amendment Bill here.
View the Environmental
Management Plan.
Penlink on Line for 2008 Start [media release 23 October 2007]
Enabling legislation for a regional fuel tax could see the beginning of Penlink construction as early as next year.
The legislation provides a funding tool to allow new projects such as Penlink to receive national funding.
Rodney District is seeking a commitment for Penlink of up to $120 million under the programme.
Outgoing mayor, John Law, describes the enabling legislation as “a fitting end” to his tenure as mayor.
“This Council has long championed the need for central government funding for Penlink, and now all of our hard work has paid off. I know that the incoming Council is keen to support this program, and this alternative revenue source will allow the Penlink project to finally get underway, said Mr Law.
Rodney’s new mayor Penny Webster is also pleased. “The incoming Council is delighted with this measure. The community has demonstrated time and time again its support for Penlink, and this is a major step forward in bringing the project to fruition,” she says.
“We couldn’t have hoped for a better welcome as an incoming Council. Rodney has many times made the case that Penlink opens up huge employment and investment opportunities for Rodney, particularly in Whangaparaoa and the Knowledge Economy Zone in Silverdale North. This announcement will really kick start the new Council’s commitment towards economic development and new jobs for Rodney.”
Mrs Webster says the Rodney District Council hopes to call for tenders for the Penlink project early in the new year, and award a contract in mid-2008 with construction starting soon after.
See also:
Draft regional fuel tax legislation introduced into Parliament (pdf file). Sections 65A and 65N are particularly relevant to Penlink.
Two of the remaining hurdles facing the proposed Penlink Toll Road project are coming to what Rodney District Council hopes will be speedy resolutions.
“The Penlink Tolling Strategy, which paves the way for completion of the Order-in-Council application to the Minister of Transport to allow tolling of Penlink, has been approved by the Council, and will be presented to the Minister shortly,” says the Council’s Director of Transport, Murray Noone.
The other hurdle, government part-funding of the project, has already been overcome somewhat by the dramatic announcement in this year’s Budget that part of the new Regional Fuel Tax could be used as a contribution to Penlink.
“The Budget announcements by this government have given Rodney District the confidence to focus on getting ready for a tendering process,’ says Transport Minister, Hon. Annette King.
“My staff will work closely with Rodney once an application is made so that that all statutory and legislative requirements are met. This will enable the government to consider the application without delay and enable a decision to be made as soon as possible”.
As soon as the funding legislation is adopted by Parliament, the Rodney District Council will begin the formal competitive tender process to select a public private partner to design, construct and operate the toll road.
“We are delighted to see these Budget provisions moving forward as a matter of course in the Parliamentary process and we are delighted with the progress being made on Penlink” added Rodney’s Mayor, John Law.
| Funding for the Penlink project has been given the green
light after an announcement today by the Minister of Transport Annette King.
In a closed meeting prior to release of the 2007 budget, the minister revealed to the Mayors of Rodney, North Shore and Auckland that up to 5c from the regional fuel tax will be committed to the western ring route, light rail electrification and the Penlink project. “This is amazing, “ said Mayor John Law “during the last two term of council we have managed to secure $600 million dollars of funding for Rodney roading projects with ALPURT, Whangaparaoa four-laning, Hill Street and now Penlink.” |
| The project will be the first Public/Private
Partnership for a New Zealand road and early indications are that private
partner interest is high. “In the grand scheme of things Penlink is a small
project for potential tenderers, but it is huge for Rodney. It unlocks a
potential $2.6 billion of business land, “ he added. The Ministry of Transport released a press statement detailing funding for Penlink through the regional fuel tax. Currently the Penlink business case is on the Ministers desk and once an order of Council has been signed off the next stage will be to go to tender. “The announcement today came as a very pleasant surprise and it is a testimony to the work of council officers and the Penlink Now team. It is also a credit to Annette King and I can’t thank her enough for her support of the project,” said the Mayor. With an 86 percent support for the Penlink project on the Whangaparaoa peninsula, this announcement will no doubt lead to a few raised glasses on the Hibiscus Coast.
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| Action | Time estimate | |
| 1. | Fuel tax legislation in Parliament |
Under discussion |
| 2. | Expressions of Interest Call | Likely before Christmas |
| 3. | Final Business Case including final Fuel Tax provisions completing Order-in-Council application | Forecast before end of year |
| 4. | Call for tenders | Early 2008 |
| 5. | Contract award | Mid 2008 |
| 6. | Construction commences | 2008 construction season |
Please note the impressions displayed below are conceptual only and subject to design changes.
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The proposed
intersection of Weiti Toll Road with Whangaparaoa Road and Beverley Road
taken from Scott Road looking west (Cedar Terrace in the left hand
foreground).
Printable version
of proposed Whangaparaoa intersection
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Photomontage
of proposed Redvale Interchange looking east from below Top Road.
Printable version
of proposed Redvale interchange
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The proposed Weiti
River Crossing bridge looking towards Whangaparaoa Peninsula (aerial shot).
Printable version of proposed
Weiti River Crossing bridge |
Maps showing the land acquired by Rodney District Council for the purpose of the road widening associated with Penlink as at 1 June 2007.
Land
Purchased for Penlink Plan 1
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Land
Purchased for Penlink Plan 2
(398k)
Land
Purchased for Penlink Plan 3
(546k)
Environmental Monitoring Guidelines January 2000
Environmental Management Plan 1999
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Cover and Contents |
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| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Section 1 to 4 |
(2899k) |
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Section 5:
5.0 to 5.6 |
(3022k) (1771k) |
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Section 5: 5.7 to 5.16 |
(2440k) |
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 5.17 to 5.22 |
(1400k) |
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Figures |
(366k) |
| Environmental Management Plan 1999 Appendix A |
(1457k) |
Penlink Corridor:
Alternative free routes
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Updates and announcements
Adoption of the Penlink Tolling Strategy
Penlink update report – December 2006
Penlink update: October 17, 2006
Peninsula access update – March
2005
Transit
New Zealand statement on Penlink 24 February 2005
Penlink information
What is Penlink?
Proposed map of Penlink
Why is Penlink being built?
How much will it cost?
Who will pay for it?
Penlink funding: the facts
Summary of independent
review of Penlink project
Tolling strategy
The Council adopted the Penlink Tolling Strategy Consultation Report and the Penlink Tolling Strategy Hearings Panel Report in December 2006. The decision on a specific toll strategy was deferred until a series of educational sessions were held with the Council's funding partners, and until more could be learned about the features and costs of the proposed national Toll Systems Project (TSP). The education sessions with the Council's funding partners and further research into toll collection costs and options have added clarity to certain issues. The combined result of these initiatives has produced a tolling strategy which is informed, robust and adds value to the Penlink project overall.
Read the full report below:
| Adoption of the Penlink Tolling Strategy – Report to Full Council Meeting |  (195k) |
The Council received a number of independent reports on the Penlink project in early December 2006, including:
the Penlink Tolling Strategy Consultation Report;
the Penlink Tolling Strategy Independent Hearings Panel Report; and
the Penlink Survey of Affected Communities.
These reports are key inputs to the Penlink business case and
the funding arrangements under discussion with the Council’s public funding
partners, Land Transport New Zealand and the Auckland Regional Transport
Authority. The item below includes the above reports, comments thereon and a
progress report on the funding arrangements, draft business case and the
Order-in-Council application for Penlink.
Two major initiatives have commenced since our last update.
Council launched a special consultative process on October 17, 2006 to gather and consider community views on who, how and when Council plans to set tolls for the Penlink toll route. The consultation also seeks feedback on the approach it proposes to take with a public private partner to design, construct, maintain and operate the proposed toll road.
This process is a requirement under the Land Transport Management Act, under which Council can receive authority to toll from an Order-in-Council issued by the Minister of Transport. The Minister can also issue an approval in principle for a tolling concession arrangement with a public private partner.
B. Funding application process
After a tour of the Penlink route by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Annette King, in August 2006, the Minister announced a wish for her two departments, Transit New Zealand, and Land Transport New Zealand, to work with a designated official from her Ministry to allow Council to file a formal Order-in-Council application for tolling Penlink by Christmas 2006. Council has formed a project management team to coordinate all aspects of completing this programme on time.
The first plank in this programme was achieved with the adoption of the Long Term Council Community Plan 2006–2015. The Plan commits Council to develop the Penlink project as a toll road, with private finance, if required, to proceed with an Order-in-Council application to the Minister, and to seek the standard Financial Assistance Rate funding from Land Transport New Zealand. An update report on the current program was given to Council at the August 2006 Council Meeting. The next stage in the process is the tolling strategy consultation, which is described above. Discussions continue with Land Transport New Zealand over funding.
A
comprehensive summary of Council direction on providing a solution
to Peninsula access, can be found in the March 2005 report to Council:
Peninsula Access Update
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Transit Recommends Time-Out on
Penlink Project [media release]
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Rodney District Council is leading a process to provide a direct road between the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the Northern Motorway. The project has three components:
Proposed in conjunction with the project are:
The Council's Orewa Office can provide maps of the proposed Penlink project.
Council has conducted a long-term property acquisition program to secure the
requisite properties necessary to build the Penlink project. The whole corridor
is now secure in favour of
The Whangaparaoa Peninsula’s marine environment is an attractive lifestyle and visitor destination within easy reach of Auckland. It has experienced rapid growth with currently 27,000 (estimated 2005) people located within the Peninsula area. The projected population forecast over the next 50 years is expected to double adding additional pressures to the existing roads. The construction of Penlink is intended to reduce the trip times and by providing an alternative route to remove congestion along the sole existing route on Whangaparaoa Road.
The estimated cost of building the new route is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed as part of the Peninsula Access Review - a joint process agreed to between Council, Transit New Zealand, and Land Transport NZ.
The Council is able, under the new Land Transport Management Act passed in November 2003, to seek a private sector company or consortium to finance, build, maintain and operate the Weiti Toll Road under a public private partnership (PPP) scheme. In return the company would be able to charge vehicles a toll for using it. This means the road will be funded by its users. Another possibility, and one council is investigating now with the assistance of Transit New Zealand, is for Council to build and open the toll road (i.e. a public toll road) with the funding of the construction coming from the tolls and a grant from Land Transport New Zealand.
The associated widening of Whangaparaoa Road is likely to be funded by Land Transport New Zealand and Rodney District Council (as usually happens on local roading projects) as would the realignment of East Coast Road. The Weiti Interchange (sometimes referred to as the Redvale Interchange) would be the responsibility of Transit New Zealand to fund. Council is also progressing its claim for Penlink to be built as a state highway project. At present cost estimates, construction of the road as a local toll road is beyond the Council's financial capacity. Therefore, other funding sources such as central government funding, state highway status and PPPs are being investigated.
Penlink funding: the facts
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In 1998 'Penlink' was chosen by Council to provide:
Rodney District Council has complied with the statutory requirements of the Resource Management Act and Local Government Acts in:
Council's policy objective has been to have the new route across the Weiti River developed as a toll facility at no cost and minimal risk to the ratepayer. This decision was made as the amount needed to fund the project (after allowance for subsidy assistance from Transfund New Zealand) would result in a financial burden that Council considered could not, and should not be met through rates.
To enable the Weiti route to be provided as a toll road by a private concessionaire, it was necessary for Council to seek to have Parliament enact special legislation for this to occur. During consideration of the Rodney District Council (Penlink Toll Road) Empowering Bill by the select committee, the Government announced its new transport package, including an announcement that the Government was preparing legislation to allow public-private partnerships to build toll roads under certain circumstances.
The new Land Transport Management Act 2003 provides a mechanism for Council to undertake the Weiti route as a road tolling scheme operated by Council or by a concessionaire.
An Order-in-Council issued by the Governor General for a tolling scheme and the consent of the Minister of Transport to a Concession Agreement would need to be obtained for this option to be implemented.
Rodney District Council needs to undertake further research in respect of possible procurement options to identify an acceptable funding and procurement strategy to finance the project. This work is underway.
The traffic congestion being experienced by travellers entering and leaving the Whangaparaoa Peninsula via Whangaparaoa Road, at peak hours and on a daily basis is a major concern and frustration to the community. This has been relieved temporarily by the 4-laning of Whangaparaoa Rd between Red Beach and Vipond Rd.
The Rodney District Council, as the road controlling authority for Whangaparaoa Road, has the statutory responsibility for ensuring the network infrastructure provided has the capacity (service level) to meet the needs of the community.
Over the last decade, daily traffic volumes using Whangaparaoa Road have increased by 11,610 vehicle movements per day, a massive 65 per cent increase.
At some time in the future, unless additional roading capacity is provided, a traffic gridlock situation will arise on Whangaparaoa Road.
The community expects its local authority to provide a network infrastructure that meets the needs of the community. Through due process Penlink has been identified as the most appropriate option to meet these needs.
All enquiries
should be directed to penlink@rodney.govt.nz.
