Drury Central and Paerata train stations have planning consent, should be complete by 2025
Kia ora neighbours,
Two out of three new train stations slated for the Franklin area have been granted planning consent - Drury Central and Paerata stations. The third station in the works is in Drury West, and is yet to get consent.
The three stations were approved under Covid-19 recovery legislation allowing work to be fast-tracked, including electrification of the train line between Papakura and Pukekohe.
All the stations will be on the existing rail line, with Drury Central to be located south of Waihoehoe Rd, between Flanagan and Great South roads; the Drury West station about 450m south of the existing intersection of SH22/Karaka Rd and Jesmond Rd; and the Paerata station adjacent to the planned eastern extent of the Paerata Rise development.
The stations will include bicycle and walking connections, bicycle parking, bus interchanges, accessways and park and ride car parks, and should be completed by 2025.
KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive David Gordon said as well as the three stations and electrification project, there will be general upgrades across the network, plus a third main track built to relieve congestion on the busiest section of the network between Wiri and Westfield.
“Ultimately, Auckland will have a better, more efficient and resilient network because of the projects we’re undertaking.”
Check out more information about these stations in our previous reporting here:
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
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