$300 Million Development And Massive Transport Hub To Enhance Accessibility Of Lynnmall Shopping Centre

$300 MILLION DEVELOPMENT AND MASSIVE TRANSPORT HUB TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY OF LYNNMALL SHOPPING CENTRE

Customers of one of Auckland’s most well-established shopping centres are set to benefit from a $300 million upgrade of New Lynn town centre. As part of the project, roads are being upgraded and the suburb has welcomed a brand-new railway station, which opened on 19 September. The transport interchange, the project’s linchpin, is the single largest investment in Auckland rail in the last 60 years and part of Project DART, the country’s largest-ever public transport infrastructure investment.

With the Western Line train making 46 stops every weekday and 29 stops on a Saturday opposite LynnMall Shopping Centre, it is estimated that many shoppers will use the enhanced public transport service for easier and more expeditious shopping excursions, especially as the busy Christmas season approaches.

The regeneration of New Lynn – the largest urban regeneration project currently underway in New Zealand, is being welcomed by residents of Waitakere City and Auckland City’s west, which is among the country’s most populous, fastest-growing and diverse areas.

The $300 million spend included putting the Western Line into a kilometre-long, eight-metre-deep trench, building a two-level rail and bus interchange above it, integrating a new roading network around it and encouraging new land development to complement it.

The state-of-the-art station includes a street-level concourse with waiting room, toilets and ticket office. Access down to the platforms is provided by lifts, escalators and stairs.

“This investment is one of the most significant in the history of the greater New Lynn area, and the opening of the new train station is a milestone in the regeneration of the area,” says LynnMall Centre Manager Shelley Jenkin. “Crucially, it makes LynnMall one of the most accessible shopping centres in greater Auckland.

“New Lynn station is already one of the busiest on Auckland’s rail network, and with significant population growth projected for the area the interchange will be an increasingly important public transport hub. We expect to see this reflected in traffic to the centre, and we will continue to build our retail offer to meet the needs of the area’s broad population base.”

LynnMall is owned by AMP Capital Shopping Centres, and AMPCSC Leasing Manager Gareth Evans says the company expects the developments underway in New Lynn to benefit local businesses, including the centre’s retailers. “The Council has developed a bold plan which will make the centre more accessible, which is tremendous both for our retailers and customers.”

Funding is from several regional and national bodies, including KiwiRail, which committed $140 million to the trench, Waitakere City Council ($71 million for road upgrades, the new railway station, the trench, and other measures), and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority ($13.6 million toward the new railway station). The balance has been funded by Watercare and the NZ Transport Agency.

Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey says, "This stunning new transport centre is the first step in New Lynn’s long-awaited transformation as is part of our vision to create a unique, sustainable and exciting town centre geared to the needs of a projected 20,000 residents and 14,000 workers by 2030.

"The Council's investment is now starting to yield considerable returns. Property values are rising, new businesses are moving in and investors are showing significant interest, attracted by New Lynn's newly unlocked potential.”

The Mayor is hosting the official opening of the train station on Friday 24 September, with special guests the Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor General of New Zealand and the Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Transport.

This will be followed on Saturday 25 September by the New Lynn Community Festival, held by Waitakere City Council on the old Totara Ave bus station site to celebrate the station opening. This event runs from 11am to 2pm.

The Council is now turning its attention to the second stage of its transport-oriented development programme: the extension of Clark Street to Great North Road and the redevelopment of Totara Ave West and the Todd Triangle Reserve into a pedestrian-friendly shared space. Work will begin in early 2011 and is expected to be completed by mid-2012.