The Hibiscus Coast is rapidly expanding.

It is expected that by 2050, there will be at least 41,000 new homes, 22,000 new jobs, and 110,000 new residents.

The majority of this future growth will take place in Silverdale, Dairy Flat, Wainui, and Orewa.

A well-designed integrated transport network for North Auckland is required to support future urban growth.

In 2019, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency outlined a long-term strategic transportation network.

It was created with community input and includes options for both local and long-distance trips in order to create a low-carbon transport system for North Auckland.

Since then, the project team has looked into a number of preferred corridor options for the network.

Key features of the long-term transport network for North Auckland:

• Improved access to jobs and social facilities
• Reliable access for the movement of people and goods
• Provide travel choices to encourage a shift to active modes (walking and cycling) and public transport
• Provide a safe transport system for all users
• Ensure the transport network is well integrated with the land use.

What long-term projects are being proposed?

• A new 16km rapid transit corridor from Albany via Dairy Flat and onto Milldale providing efficient, frequent, high-quality public transport
• Improved public transport connections for the wider area with bus priority on key routes including a high frequency bus route connecting Ōrewa and Silverdale
• 25km of new walking and cycling paths across North Auckland
• Improvements to State Highway 1 (SH1) including additional space to cater for more people moving around in the future, upgraded interchanges at Redvale and Silverdale and a new interchange at Wilks Road.

The transport proposal and consultation are being carried out through Te Tupu Ngtahi Supporting Growth, a joint programme of Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi.

The project is accepting submissions online until August 19.

On Saturday, August 13 at 11 a.m., a "drop-in" community information session will be held in the Dairy Flat Hall.