The City Rail Link will bring considerable benefits to Auckland - but we’re aware that you can’t build an underground railway in the middle of a bustling city without causing challenges for the businesses and residents in the neighbourhood.
Long-term, the rail link construction will be followed by attractive streetscape upgrades which will greatly improve your area. Short-term, we need to mitigate the effects of construction.
Our “development response” programme means we prioritise ways to do this and use a suite of tools to enable your activities to be as much “business as usual” as they can be amidst the construction.
We’re committed to working with all affected - people, groups and businesses - to help them during the disruption. We are agile in our response as construction activity is fluid with often flexible timelines and unexpected issues can arise.
Construction can involve several different parties including a range of contractors and types of construction activity and co-ordination and timing of these activities is also vital to reduce the impacts.
Here are some of the tools we use to assist:
Wayfinding
It’s essential that people can still find the entry point to your building, so we provide wayfinding along the way to help pedestrians navigate their way through the diversions.
Hoardings
Visibility to your building can be affected by the fences and hoarding around our construction areas which has to ensure the health and safety of those working within worksites as well as the public nearby.
We work with your business to design and deliver hoardings which emphasise that businesses are still operating and accessible. Where needed, there is additional temporary signage to further emphasise that it is business as usual.
Business Support package
We can provide free professional advice to help your business during this time and help you upskill, so your business continues to thrive. This free business support package includes twelve months with a Business Mentor from Business Mentors NZ, a 12-month membership with the Auckland Business Chamber and free social media training.
Other promotional material
Each month, we send a project update newsletter called “The CRL Connection” to more than 4000 people. Included each month are profiles of local businesses in the construction zones.
Street cleaning and maintenance
Construction activity unavoidably can throw up dirt so we work closely with council contractor cleaning services to prioritise construction areas with a daily cleaning and maintenance service. This is often more regular and thorough than the businesses have normally.
Activations and events
We work with partners to improve the public’s experience in the area during the construction activity. Examples have been art displays, performances, events, installations, tours and leveraging key events and festivals including Restaurant Month, Auckland Heritage Festival, Art Week, Matariki and promotional opportunities.