Kia ora koutou

This month's newsletter marks one year since the Link Alliance signed our contract with City Rail Link Ltd to deliver the City Rail Link's main stations and 3.45km twin tunnel underground rail lines from a redeveloped Mt Eden Station to the new Karangahape and Aotea Stations. This is a once in a generation project and we are proud to be able to connect with the community as we continue with construction.

The City Rail Link is a project for Auckland and for the benefit of Aucklanders. Consequently, the relationships we hold with the residents, businesses and visitors who are impacted by the construction of the station are important to us.

Read on to learn more our upcoming community liaison group meeting and our public drop-in sessions. These events give people an opportunity to ask questions directly to project leads. Public site tours are about to start too, which are another great way to engage with the project. Reserve your space now!

Hei konā mai

The Aotea Station team

Ways to engage with the Link Alliance

COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUP MEETINGS
We invite anyone who is interested in the project to come to our next community liaison group (CLG) meeting at 5pm on Tuesday 18th August. CLG meetings, held quarterly, are our formal engagement mechanism with the community and are a great way to learn more about what is going on and why. This month's meeting will held in our station office on Wellesley Street West. To register your interest and for more information please email: aotea@linkalliance.co.nz 

SITE TOURS
If you are interested in seeing more of the site and the work we are doing, join us for one of our public site tours, set to start up next month. For more information and to book, click here.

DROP IN SESSIONS
Come and meet a member of the team to ask any question you may have or just to say hi! Conveniently located in the Auckland Council lobby at 135 Albert St, the next one will be Wednesday 19th August from 8.30-9.30am - a perfect time to come and see us on your way to work. For more information email aotea@linkalliance.co.nz

PHONE / EMAIL
If you would like to know more about the work we are doing or have any questions, please email the team at aotea@linkalliance.co.nz or call 0800 CRL TALK (275 8255) then press option 3. 

The Link Alliance turns one!

As the Link Alliance marks one year since the signing of our contract with City Rail Link Ltd, now is an opportune time for our team to reflect on how far we have come and where we have yet to go.

Every day we are grateful for the opportunity to construct what is expected to be New Zealand's busiest train station. Up to 54,000 passengers an hour are expected to travel through the station at peak times.

These delicious cakes we ordered to mark our first birthday were bought from local businesses Greedy Guts Cafe on Wellesley Street West and Peppers Cafe on Albert Street.

Support for businesses

REGIONAL BUSINESS PARTNER NETWORK 
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provides support to businesses through a number of different ways with their Regional Business Partner Network, including marketing and financial support. Applications are now open for $5,000 business support grants. 

ONLINE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) is helping Auckland businesses adapt to a changing COVID-19 landscape through a number of different online resources. For more information click here.

HEART OF THE CITY SUPPORT 
Heart of the City have put together a number of recommendations for how businesses can maximise their online presence. For more information click here. 

LINK ALLIANCE SUPPORT INITIATIVES
Link Alliance supports businesses on the ground through measures such as additional business signage, way-finding, lighting and hoarding beautification. Please contact us if you would like to find our more about what we can offer. 

Meet Aotea Station's cutest stakeholders!  

Carmel Lapwood, Communications and Engagement Advisor for the Link Alliance, was in her element giving a personalised site visit to some very special guests, the students of Lollipops Educare!

Lollipops is situated on Albert Street and have a front row seat as we build Aotea Station.    

Carmel explained the piling that is currently being done in the north zone of the station site, near Kingston Street and Durham Street West. The 20-metre-deep piles will form part the new station's walls. 74 piles have been constructed to date, out of approximately 450 in total. 

New life given to Auckland trees

Have you ever wondered what happened to the trees that were removed earlier this year in order for Aotea Station to be built?

One of the Link Alliance's objectives is to set new benchmarks in sustainable and environmental performance. With this in mind, it is pleasing to report the trees have found a new home at Auckland Domain! The wood chips were taken off site and turned into mulch to help keep one of Auckland's most beautiful spots healthy and thriving. 

In addition, for every tree removed on the project we are committed to planting a new one as part of the streetscape works following construction of the underground station. 

Tony's Steakhouse saves street sign

In another example of giving things a second lease on life, local business Tony's Steakhouse salvaged the Wellesley St West street sign after it was taken down when construction started near their restaurant located on Wellesley St West.

Tony's is a family-owned and operated business. Kelson Henderson now manages the restaurant, which is owned by his father, Ken.

Kelson said that when he saw the sign being taken down, which was due to be discarded, he asked if he could have it to hang in his restaurant.

"This was agreed to -- for a steak pie!" said Kelson. 

Tony's is an Auckland icon -- and also Auckland's oldest restaurant! Inside, you will discover memorabilia from across the years, and we are delighted the sign has found such an appropriate home.

Waihorotiu Queen Street Valley Pilot

Are you a user of Queen Street? The Waihorotiu Queen Street Valley Pilot is one of a series of Auckland Council trials of Access for Everyone - a concept that reshapes how city centre streets are used, so more street space is given to people walking, cycling, using public transport, and delivering and servicing homes and buildings.

Auckland Council is beginning this pilot now because in 2021, the Victoria & Albert Street intersection will close to allow for further Aotea Station construction. Please see here for more information and to sign-up to be a part of the pilot's co-design.