Six-storey building developments in Wellington could hinge on definition of 'rapid transit'

Friday, 4 December 2020

Plans to allow six-storey-plus buildings in Wellington’s western suburbs, such as Khandallah (pictured), could hinge on the interpretation of a loose definition of “rapid transit”.

Is the Johnsonville train line rapid transit? The answer to that question could determine the extent to which six-storey-plus buildings can be constructed in Wellington’s western and northern suburbs.

The Wellington City Council is proposing to allow mixed-use and apartment buildings that are six storeys and higher near stops on the Johnsonville rail line under a housing intensification plan for the next 30 years.

The increased heights would be allowed within five minutes’ walk of all stops from Raroa to Crofton Downs, and within 10 minutes’ walk of Johnsonville Station. But the proposals are based on a central government directive requiring councils to enable medium-density housing near “rapid transit” stops.

Public transport operator Greater Wellington Regional Council says the Johnsonville line does not meet those criteria.

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Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter says he does not consider the Johnsonville rail line to be rapid transit. (File photo)

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Buildings of up to six storeys will be allowed in Johnsonville, Tawa, Khandallah and Ngaio following Government changes to building guidelines. (File photo)

“I wouldn’t consider it to be rapid transit,” regional council chair Daran Ponter said of the Johnsonville line.

“To approach something that might come close to rapid transit, and to accommodate the passenger growth that’s anticipated [under the city council housing plan], then you would have to start looking at double-tracking significant sections of the track,” he said.

“And that is not something that’s been identified as a priority project.”

The city council’s housing intensification plan, known as the draft spatial plan, is based on the national policy statement on urban development released by the Ministry for the Environment earlier this year.

It directs councils to enable six-storey-plus buildings within a “walkable catchment” of existing and planned rapid transit stops, and city centre and metropolitan centre boundaries.

Wellington City Council plans to squeeze up to 45,000 extra people in the city’s outer suburbs over the next 30 years. (File photo)

Regardless of whether the Johnsonville rail line was deemed to be rapid transit, buildings six storeys or higher would still be allowed near the Khandallah, Ngaio, and Crofton Downs commercial centres.

They would also still be allowed near the Johnsonville suburban centre, while buildings up to six storeys would be permitted in the Churton Park and Newlands commercial centres.

But allowing construction near Johnsonville rail line stops would stretch the boundaries even further, including near the Box Hill, Simla Crescent, Raroa, and Awarua St stations.

The government policy describes rapid transit as a frequent, quick, reliable and high-capacity public transport service on a permanent route largely separated from other traffic, but does not provide definitions for those words.

When asked if there were more specific criteria on what defined rapid transit, the ministry referred to general guidance given to local councils, which listed train stations on the Wellington rail network as examples of rapid transit stops.

However, the ministry could not confirm whether this meant all stops.

“It is for regional councils to determine if a route such as the Johnsonville line is an existing or planned rapid transit service,” a spokesman said.

The city council also appeared to be unsure, having initially believed the guidance referred to all stops.

“At this stage, we consider that it does relate to all stations. However, we are aware that a number of submitters have questioned this in relation to the Johnsonville line,” a spokesman said.

“In response, we are doing further investigations around the capacity and frequency criteria, to make sure we have interpreted this correctly, and this will be reported back next year when we finalise the spatial plan.”

But Ponter said there was no way the winding, single-track Johnsonville line could be considered rapid transit.

“If the city council wants to drive population growth in this area, then we need to have a serious conversation about how we provide public transport for that area of the city,” he said.

“The reality is you can’t just plonk eight-storey buildings and 10-storey buildings in close proximity and not think about the implications on transport infrastructure.”

The Johnsonville rail line operates every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak. It is considered by the ministry and the city council to be quick, high-capacity, and frequent.

The council’s draft spatial plan aims to enable the development of thousands of extra homes to accommodate up to 80,000 extra people over the next 30 years.