COVID19 - Alert Level 3 information

As of 11:59pm on Sunday evening, Auckland moved to Alert Level 3 due to the increased risk of COVID-19 in the community. During this alert level, construction activity across our three sites – Aotea, Karangahape and Mt Eden – will continue, with strict guidelines in place.   
 
Our immediate priority is ensuring the safety of our people and the wider community. We have reimplemented the strict health and hygiene protocols we used when previously working during Alert Level 3 including physical distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks. 
 
Please stay in your bubble and, if you are walking around our construction sites, continue to follow physical distancing rules and follow instructions provided by our team and on construction signage. 
 
It is our priority to keep our community updated during this period. Under alert level 3 we are now unable to meet face-to-face, but we have many other channels to keep everyone informed. 
 
If you wish to contact us please email us at: aotea@linkalliance.co.nz or call 0800 CRL TALK (0800 275 8255 and press option 3) to speak to us. 

Ngā mihi nui,
The Aotea Station team

Government business support package extended

It was announced today that a new Resurgence Support Payment will be available for businesses affected by any resurgence of COVID-19. Businesses that experience a 30 percent drop in revenue over a 7-day period will be eligible. The payment would include a core per business rate of $1500 plus $400 per employee up to a total of 50 FTEs ($21,500). 

A decision on whether this support will come into effect will be made if there is an extension to the 72 hour increase in alert levels announced on Sunday night. If it does come into effect it will cover the initial 72 hour Alert Level rise as well. 

The Government has a range of other business support packages available. The most up-to-date government information on the COVID-19 pandemic, including support for businesses, can be found on the dedicated COVID-19 website. 

Heart of the City business support hub

Heart of the City is here to support city centre businesses and have created an information hub with all the COVID-19 resurgence financial support and information available to your business. The information is available in English, simplified Chinese and Korean. 

COVID-19 resurgence financial support and information for your business | Heart of the City: Auckland's city centre business association (hotcity.co.nz) 

This hub includes information about the $5000 Regional Business Partner grant available to support small businesses. 

Aotea Station Community Liaison Meeting
*new date*

You are warmly invited to Link Alliance’s next community liaison meeting, which will now be held next week. These free events are open to all our neighbours. The quarterly meetings are an opportunity for you to join us and hear about the Aotea Station build project in more detail and provide feedback on project plans.  

4:00pm – 5:30pm, Thursday, 25 February 2021  

Depending on the Alert Level at the time, this will be held either in the Link Alliance office at Level 10, 44 Wellesley Street West, OR virtually on Microsoft Teams. Please RSVP below to be notified. 

This quarter, you will hear from the following people:  

• Construction Update and Upcoming Milestones - Matt Sinclair, Station Manager  

• Above-ground design plans (e.g., streetscape, trees, station building design) 
  Simon Lough, Interface Design Manager  

• 2019/2020 Social Impact and Business Disruption annual report summary – John Daly, Principal Planner, AECOM 

• Mid 2021 Intersection Closure Switch – Shaun Sutton, Community Manager  

To register, please email us at: aotea@linkalliance.co.nz

Victoria and Albert Streets intersection closure Community Workshop 

Businesses and local residents are invited to attend a community workshop regarding the approximate two-year vehicle closure of the Victoria St / Albert St intersection from mid 2021.  
 
This independently facilitated workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more about the closure and have us respond to your questions and feedback. We would like to discuss ideas together around ways to support the community during the closure, activate the area with events and pop-ups, and make the intersection area as attractive and vibrant as possible. 
 
When: 4:00pm – 5:30pm, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 
Where: Venue to be advised 

Agenda:

• Refreshments
• Introductions and overview of the workshop 
• Presentation by Link Alliance on closure 
• Questions and comments around closure 
• Discussion and ideas around reducing closure impacts

Please register your interest at; aotea@linkalliance.co.nz 

Proposed bus infrastructure improvements to enable Wellesley Street re-opening mid-2021

When Wellesley Street West re-opens in mid-2021, many bus routes will return to the area. To enable a successful transition, Auckland Transport is proposing some improvements to bus stop infrastructure in the area and some other parts of the city centre.

Details of the proposed changes are on the Auckland Transport website. We encourage you to review and provide any feedback - the engagement period is open until Friday 19 February.