22 November 2021
File Ref: OIAP-7-22841
Brian Warburton
By email:
[FYI request #17472 email]
Tēnā koe Brian
Request for information 2021-297
I refer to your request for information dated 7 November 2021, which was received by Greater
Wellington Regional Council (Greater Wellington) on 7 November 2021. You have requested the
following:
“Please provide information that will allow me to understand how and when the part of Belmont
Regional Park on the western side of the Transmission Gully Motorway is able to be accessed by the
public from the part of Belmont Regional Park on the eastern side of the Transmission Gully
Motorway, and vice versa.
Or in other words,
- how is the western part of the Park connected to the eastern part, if at all, and
- when will this access be provided?
GWRC's online maps are not clear about this.
I understand from previous information GWRC has provided that there is a requirement under the
RM Act (and agreements with GWRC) upon NZTA to provide linkages across, over or under the Transmission Gully Motorway”.
Greater Wellington’s response follows:
Please provide information that will allow me to understand how and when the part of Belmont
Regional Park on the western side of the Transmission Gully Motorway is able to be accessed by the
public from the part of Belmont Regional Park on the eastern side of the Transmission Gully
Motorway, and vice versa.
Wellington office
Upper Hutt
Masterton office
0800 496 734
PO Box 11646
PO Box 40847
PO Box 41
www.gw.govt.nz
Manners St, Wellington 6142
1056 Fergusson Drive
Masterton 5840
[Wellington Regional Council request email]
Or in other words,
- how is the western part of the Park connected to the eastern part, if at all, and
- when will this access be provided?
GWRC's online maps are not clear about this.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between the Crown / New Zealand Transport
Agency (Waka Kotahi) and Greater Wellington in 2014 which outlines all requirements and
conditions in regard to the Transmission Gully project. The relevant clauses of the MoA related to
Belmont Regional Park within scope of your request, are included in
Attachment 1. A summary of
those clauses are detailed below:
• Clauses 22-23 deal with reinstatement of the Belmont walkway and linkages at Bridge 20.
• Clause 23 (c) provides for all other public access tracks affected by the Transmission Gully
Motorway works to be relocated/restored to their former standard.
• Clause 27 (a) requires Waka Kotahi to provide legal access between the eastern and western
parts of Belmont Regional Park under the Transmission Gully Motorway corridor at bridges 18
and 19 as shown on plans AC16, AC17 & AC18. A copy of these plans is provided in
Attachment
2. There are currently no other maps or plans available, other than the one provided in
Attachment 2.
• Clause 27 (b) covers the standard/dimensions of the underpass at bridge 19.
• Clause 27 (c) requires Waka Kotahi to construct tracks to restore the continuum of access tracks
running parallel to the Transmission Gully Motorway corridor.
• Clause 27 (d) covers the reinstatement of the main east/west farm access track/laneway.
• Clause 27 (e) & (f) covers the standard of new tracks.
• Clause 28 – final design of tracks and underpasses to be agreed between Waka Kotahi and
Greater Wellington.
Page 2 of 4
I understand from previous information GWRC has provided that there is a requirement under the
RM Act (and agreements with GWRC) upon NZTA to provide linkages across, over or under the Transmission Gully Motorway”.
The MoA includes the reinstatement of tracks and other park infrastructure (including that required
for farming). It is the responsibility of the Waka Kotahi to deliver the requirements identified in the
MoA via the road construction contractor. The delivery of the track reconnections (among other
requirements) are to coincide with the opening of the motorway, on a date yet to be advised by
Waka Kotahi.
Walking, cycling, equestrian and park operations connections will be reinstated as part of the
construction project. The road constructors, Waka Kotahi and Greater Wellington officers will liaise
when earthworks are completed to agree on the construction of the reconnections. The design of all
tracks is to be agreed with Greater Wellington with the following key criteria:
1. To achieve multi use functionality, particularly within the Cannons Creek area;
2. To provide “tramping” grade tracks which generally follow the lie of the land. The track
alignment should follow the less steep grounds along ridges and spurs and provide
adequate visual and physical separation from the highway;
3. Track surfaces will generally be the natural ground;
4. Native vegetation removal will be avoided or, if unavoidable, minimised;
5. Direction signs are to be placed at all track entrances, and at junctions or crossing points
where there is a risk of getting lost;
6. Underpasses and bridges should offer a straight route so that one end of the underpass is
visible from the other. Bends and angles in the underpass should be avoided as they create
hidden places which encourage vandalism, crime and anti-social behaviour;
7. Underpasses should be at grade with the surrounding land; approach ramps being gradual
enough to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists safely and provide sufficient forward
visibility; and
8. Adequate drainage systems in the underpasses will allow for satisfactory disposal of run-
off and prevent flooding and pooling.
A new car park and entry point will be developed at the Takapu Road park entry. Throughout the
construction period, temporary access across Department of Conservation and Transpower land has
been made available and has been utilised. Once tracks are reconnected new information boards
will be installed for park entry points and online maps updated to reflect the reopened track
networks.
Page 3 of 4
Additional Information
Greater Wellington and Waka Kotahi agreed that the Transmission Gully Motorway project required
closure of the cross park connections for the duration of the construction programme. To ensure a
safe working environment construction activity has been separated from users and parks/ farming
operations as much as is practicable, retaining recreational access to vantage points for visitors to
view progress.
If you have any concerns with the decision(s) referred to in this letter, you have the right to request
an investigation and review by the Ombudsman under section 27(3) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Al Cross
General Manager, Environment Management Group
Attachments (2)
Page 4 of 4
