The south is the largest future urban growth area in Auckland with around 5,300 hectares of land identified for urban development. This could result in 42,000 homes and 19,000 jobs over 30 years. The decision version of the Unitary Plan provides for greater capacity should this be required. With a lot more people living in the area, significant new transport infrastructure will be needed.

• View a map of the preferred transport network.

Train

At the heart of the network for the south is a well connected Rapid Transport Network with electric trains extended to Pukekohe and extra rail capacity. New stations at Tironui, Drury, Drury West and Paerata will improve access to trains.

Bus

Rapid transit links between the airport, Manukau, Flat Bush and Botany, along with high-frequency buses between Manukau and Drury West will be provided via a high-frequency bus corridor. Future improvements to park and ride facilities, along with the implementation of the Southern New Network in October 2016, will provide a strong public transport network.

Driving

Another key focus is the upgrade of the Mill Road corridor from Manukau and Flat Bush to Papakura and Drury. This will help improve safety, provide greater access to new growth areas and provide an additional north-south route. It will link to SH1 and to a new expressway between Drury, Paerata and Pukekohe. The widening of SH1 between Manukau and Papakura would be extended to Drury.

In Takanini, replacing level crossings with bridges over the rail line will allow increased train frequencies. The upgrades at Rangi Road, Taka Street and Walters Road will also ensure good east-west connections for the area. The new station at Tironui will improve access to trains.

SH22 will be upgraded in the vicinity of Paerata, and in Pukekohe a road south of the town centre will allow a bypass for trucks and other traffic.

Working together with Waikato local authorities, improved public transport, local road, and state highway connections will be investigated.

Safety

Safety improvements on State Highway 22 will also improve travel between Drury and Pukekohe.

Cycling and walking

The cycling and walking network will be expanded across the network to improve travel choice and accessibility in local areas.

Transport aspirations

Through our project engagement we confirmed community aspirations for the south in relation to transportation are to:

• Increase transport choice.
• Separate shorter distance trips from longer distance trips.
• Improve north – south movements.
• Improve the resilience of the network.
• Improve access to education, employment and recreation opportunities in the area.

The development of the preferred network for the south will help meet these aspirations.

Map of the transport network for Pukekohe, Drury, Paerata and Takanini

Projects

1. Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification.
2. Rail upgrade to increase capacity.
3. Additional stations at Drury, Drury West, Paerata and Tironui.
4. High-frequency bus corridor connecting Drury West, Drury, Hingaia, Papakura, Takanini and Manukau.
5. Park-and-ride facilities.
6. Improved connections around Pukekohe.
7. New north-south access between Manukau, Drury and Pukekohe.
8. Improved east-west routes and remove level crossings in Takanini.
9. SH1 capacity improvements.
10. Improved connections to Waikato.
11. Safety improvements on SH22.
12. Implement cycle network.