APP-2021203231.00 - Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (the Applicant) has submitted an application for a suite of resource consents to Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council (known as Horizons Regional Council (MWRC) and Wellington Regional Council (WRC) associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a new State Highway, shared users path and associated infrastructure, in particular applications for:
 
MWRC

• land use consents in accordance with section 9(2) of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Regional Plan for the Manawatū – Whanganui Region (“One Plan”) and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F);
• land use consents in accordance with section 13 of the RMA and the One Plan and the NES-F;
• water permits in accordance with section 14 of the RMA and the One Plan and the NES-F; and
• discharge permits in accordance with section 15 of the RMA and the One Plan and the NES-F.

 
WRC
 

• land use consents in accordance with section 9 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Proposed Natural Resources Plan (PNRP) and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F);
• land use consents in accordance with section 13 of the RMA and the PNRP and the NES-F;
• water permits in accordance with section 14 of the RMA and the PNRP and the NES-F;
• discharge permits in accordance with section 15 of the RMA and the PNRP and the NES-F

 
The Ō2NL Project is the northern most section of the Wellington Northern Corridor and is proposed to provide the final section being a 4-lane expressway as an extension connecting to the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway. 

The applications relate to the construction, operation, and maintenance of 24km of state highway and shared use path and associated infrastructure, between Taylors Road (to the north of Ōtaki) and State Highway 1 north of Levin.  The project is referred as the Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway Project (Ō2NL Project). 

The new highway will be a median separated carriage way with two lanes in each direction over the majority of the route. The project also includes a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a number of new bridges, including one over the Manawatū River. To achieve this, a range of consents are required from MWRC and GWRC associated with both the construction and operational phases of the project. 

The consents and durations sought are summarised as follows:

Table 1: MWRC Consents Sought - Construction
 

Construction Phase Activity	Consent Type	Duration
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-2 for large scale earthworks (including the ancillary diversion of water and the discharge of sediment to water) where the earthworks are not: - in a rare, at risk or threatened habitat; - within 5m of the bed of a permanently flowing river; - within 5m of the bed of a river that is not permanently flowing and has a width greater than 1m; or - within 10m of a wetland identified in Schedule F.	Controlled activity	10 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-7 for land disturbance and vegetation clearance (including any ancillary disturbance of the bed of a river division of water and discharge of sediment or slash) that is not in a ‘rare’, ‘at-risk’ or ‘threatened’ habitat and is: - within 5m of the bed of a permanently flowing river; - within 5m of the bed of a river that is not permanently flowing and has a width greater than 1m; or - within 10m of a wetland identified in Schedule F but outside of a rare, at risk or threatened habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(2) and 13 of the RMA and Rule 13-8 for large scale earthworks and vegetation clearance within an at-risk habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 13-8 for the diversion of water within an at-risk habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-8 for the discharge of water or contaminants to water or land within an at-risk habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(2) and 13 of the RMA and Rule 13-9 for large scale earthworks and vegetation clearance within a ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Non-complying activity	10 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-9 for the discharge of water or contaminants to water or land within a ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Non-complying activity	10 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 14-30 for the discharge or placement of cleanfill.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 15-17 of the One Plan for the discharge of contaminants to air.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 16-9 for the taking of surface water.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 16-9 for the taking of water for construction related dewatering outside of an ‘at-risk’, ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 17-3 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the placement of a bridge over the Ōhau River and Waikawa Stream (and associated disturbance, diversion, deposition and discharges).	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 17-15 of the One Plan for the placement of a bridge over the Waiauti, Manakau and Kuku Streams (and associated disturbance, diversion, deposition and discharges).	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(1) of the RMA and Regulation 45 of the NES-F for vegetation clearance, earthworks and land disturbance within or near natural wetlands for the purpose of constructing specified infrastructure.	Discretionary activity	10 years

 

A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 15-17 of the One Plan for the discharge of contaminants to air.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 16-9 for the taking of surface water.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 16-9 for the taking of water for construction related dewatering outside of an ‘at-risk’, ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 17-3 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the placement of a bridge over the Ōhau River and Waikawa Stream (and associated disturbance, diversion, deposition and discharges).	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule 17-15 of the One Plan for the placement of a bridge over the Waiauti, Manakau and Kuku Streams (and associated disturbance, diversion, deposition and discharges).	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(1) of the RMA and Regulation 45 of the NES-F for vegetation clearance, earthworks and land disturbance within or near natural wetlands for the purpose of constructing specified infrastructure.	Discretionary activity	10 years

 

Construction and Operational Phase Activity	Consent Type	Duration
A construction and operational water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 13-8 as a discretionary activity for the diversion of water within an at-risk habitat	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-8 as a discretionary activity for the discharge of water within an at-risk habitat.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 13-9 as a non-complying activity for the diversion of water within a ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Non-complying activity	35 years
A construction and operational discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 13-9 as a non-complying activity for the discharge of water within a ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Non-complying activity	35 years
An operational discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule 14-25 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the discharge of treated stormwater to a reach of a surface water body or its bed within a Schedule B Value of Sites of Significance – Aquatic.	Discretionary activity	35 years
An operational water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 and Rule 16-9 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the taking of water for operational related dewatering outside of an ‘at-risk’, ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule 16-13 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the diversion of water outside of an ‘at-risk’. ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ habitat.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational land use consent is sought pursuant to section 13 of the RMA and Rule 17-23 of the One Plan as a discretionary activity for the placement of culverts (and associated disturbance, diversion, deposition and discharges)	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 14 and 15 of the RMA and Regulation 45 of the NES-F as a discretionary activity the taking, use, damming, diversion, or discharge of water within or near natural wetlands for the purposes of constructing specified infrastructure.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A construction and operational land use consent is sought pursuant to section 13 and Regulation 57 of the NES-F as a discretionary activity for the reclamation of stream beds.	Discretionary activity	Unlimited
A construction and operational land use consent is sought pursuant to section 13 of the RMA and Regulation 71 of the NES-F as a discretionary activity for the placement, use, alteration, extension, or reconstruction of a culvert in, on, over, or under the bed of a river.	Discretionary activity	35 years

 
 
Table 2: GWRC Consents Sought
 

Construction Phase Activity	Consent Type	Duration
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 and Rule R42 for a discharge to air from the Ō2NL Project works during the construction phase.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule R94 for the discharge of cleanfill to land and water.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 and Rule K.R1 for the taking of surface water in the Kāpiti Whaitua.	Restricted discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(1) of the RMA and Regulation 45 of the NES-F for vegetation clearance, earthworks and land disturbance within or near natural wetlands for the purpose of constructing specified infrastructure.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 9(2) and 15 of the RMA and Rule R107 for earthworks and the associated discharge of sediment.	Discretionary activity	10 years
A land use consent and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 13 and 15 of the RMA and Rule R145 of the PNRP as a discretionary activity for the placement of culverts (but not reclamation or diversion of water)	Discretionary activity	10 years

 

Operational Phase Activity	Consent Type	Duration
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule R50 of the PNRP as a discretionary activity for the discharge of treated stormwater from the Ō2NL Project.	Restricted Discretionary	35 years
A land use consent, a water permit and a discharge consent is sought pursuant to sections 9(2), 14 and 15 of the RMA and Rule R118 of the PNRP as a non-complying activity for the works within, and reclamation of, a wetland.	Non-complying activity	10 years (water permit and discharge permit) Unlimited (land use consent)
A land use consent is sought pursuant to sections 13 of the RMA and Rule R143 of the PNRP the reclamation of streams associated with the piping of the streams.	Non-complying activity	Unlimited
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule R147 of the PNRP for diversion of streams.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A water permit is sought pursuant to section 14 of the RMA and Rule R160 of the PNRP for dewatering.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A discharge permit is sought pursuant to section 15 of the RMA and Rule R160 of the PNRP for dewatering.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A water permit and a discharge permit is sought pursuant to sections 14 and 15 of the RMA and Regulation 45 of the NES-F the taking, use, damming, diversion, or discharge of water within or near natural wetlands for the purposes of constructing specified infrastructure.	Discretionary activity	35 years
A land use consent is sought pursuant to section 13 and Regulation 57 of the NES-F of the reclamation of stream beds.	Discretionary activity	Unlimited
A land use consent is sought pursuant to section 13 of the RMA and Regulation 71 of the NES-F for the placement, use, alteration, extension, or reconstruction of a culvert in, on, over, or under the bed of a river.	Discretionary activity	35 years

  Pursuant to section 168 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) has given notices to Horowhenua District Council (HDC) and Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) of a requirement for a designation for a project or public work. The purpose of the proposed designation (as described in the notices of requirement) is to construct, operate, maintain and improve a new state highway and shared use path and associated infrastructure, between Taylors Road (to the north of Ōtaki) and State Highway 1 north of Levin known as the Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway Project (“Ō2NL Project”). The Ō2NL Project is the northern most section of the Wellington Northern Corridor, connecting to the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway. Once the Ō2NL Project is completed, a minimum 4-lane expressway from central Wellington Central Business District to north of Levin will be provided. 

The Notice of Requirement to KCDC applies to an area of land within the Kāpiti Coast District of approximately 101.92 hectares located generally between the northern boundary of the Kāpiti Coast District immediately to the east of existing State Highway 1 (SH1) and the northern extent of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway (PP2Ō) near Taylors Road on SH1. 

The Notice of Requirement to HDC applies to an area of land within the Horowhenua District of approximately 516.517 hectares located generally between Heatherlea East Road and the boundary of the Kāpiti Coast District to the east of existing State Highway 1 (SH1).

The Ō2NL Project is the northern most section of the Wellington Northern Corridor, and is proposed to provide the final section, being a 4-lane expressway, connecting to the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway which opened late December 2022. 

As lodged, the Notice of Requirement relate to the construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of 24km of state highway and shared use path and associated infrastructure, between Taylors Road (to the north of Ōtaki) and State Highway 1 north of Levin.  The project is referred as the Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway Project (Ō2NL Project)
 
The Ō2NL Project comprises the following key features: 

• a grade separated diamond interchange at Tararua Road, providing access into Levin;

 

• two dual lane roundabouts located where Ō2NL crosses the existing Arapaepae Road/State Highway 57 (SH57) and where it connects with the current SH1 at Heatherlea East Road, north of Levin;

 

• four lane bridges over the Waiauti, Waikawa and Kuku Streams, the Ōhau River and the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) rail line north of Levin;

 

• a half interchange with southbound ramps near Taylors Road and the new PP2Ō expressway to provide access from the current SH1 for traffic heading south from Manakau or heading north from Wellington, as well as providing an alternate access to Ōtaki;

 

• local road underpasses at South Manakau Road and Sorensons Road to retain local connections;

 

• local road overpasses to provide continued local road connectivity at Manakau Heights Drive, North Manakau Road, Kuku East Road, Muhunoa East Road, Tararua Road (as part of the interchange), and Queen Street East;

 

• new local roads at Kuku East Road and Manakau Heights Road to provide access to properties located to the east of the Ō2NL Project.

 

• local road reconnections connecting:
  • McLeavey Road to Arapaepae South Road on the west side of the Ō2NL Project;
  • Arapaepae South Road, Kimberley Road and Tararua Road on the east side of the Ō2NL Project;
  • Waihou Road to McDonald Road to Arapaepae Road/SH57;
  • Koputaroa Road to Heatherlea East Road and providing access to the new northern roundabout;
• the relocation, and improvement, of the Tararua Road and current SH1 intersection, including the introduction of traffic signals and a crossing of the North Island Main Trunk Line (NIMT);

 

• road lighting at intersections on the new state highway, that is, where traffic can enter or exit the highway;

 

• signs, including gantries, as required;

 

• median and edge barriers that are typically wire rope safety barriers with alternative barrier types used in some locations, such as bridges;

 

• stormwater treatment wetlands and ponds, stormwater swales, drains and sediment traps;

 

• culverts to reconnect streams crossed by the Ō2NL Project and stream diversions to recreate and reconnect streams;

 

• a separated (typically) three-metre-wide SUP, for walking and cycling along the entire length of the new highway that will link into shared path facilities that are part of the PP2Ō expressway;

 

• spoil sites at various locations along the length of the Project; and

 

• five sites for the supply of bulk fill/earth material located near Waikawa Stream, the Ōhau River and south of Heatherlea East Road.

 
The Ō2NL Project will become the new SH1 and will replace the existing SH1 and that part of the existing SH57 along Arapaepae Road. Once the Ō2NL Project has been constructed and opened, it is likely these existing sections of state highways (then bypassed by the Project) will function as local roads providing access for communities to various local amenities and uses in the district, including access to the new highway. These existing sections will also provide an alternative strategic route for resilience.