Railway land and assets
If you need to encroach on rail land to install a crossing, fence, drain or other structure, you must apply for a Deed of Grant.
Public level crossings If a local council wants to install a public level crossing it must apply to ONTRACK. New public level crossings are often needed to access new subdivisions.
If more than two properties use a level crossing, the council needs to vest the crossing under a Deed of Grant. We are planning a review of public level crossings to ensure they all have the appropriate approvals.
Private level crossings
We are currently recording and regulating private level crossing arrangements. We have identified 1,700 private level crossings, of which 600 have a Deed of Grant. The others have been informally built.
For informal crossings we advise the user or landowner of their obligations. If the crossing meets safety standards we offer them a Deed of Grant. If the crossing does not meet safety standards, or a Deed of Grant is not accepted, the crossing may be closed.
Resource consents
You often need resource consent to build next to the rail corridor. Property owners seeking a resource consent for a project affecting the rail corridor should contact:
The Resource Management Officer
ONTRACK
PO Box 503 Wellington
Phone (04) 495 3000
The Resource Management Act Advisor also deals with ONTRACK’s interests in District Plan reviews.
Fencing and drains
Under the Fencing Act 1978, ONTRACK is exempt from contributing to fencing along the rail corridor. We do consider fencing for safety reasons and may make a financial contribution or build a fence.
We have drains at some points along the rail corridor, usually to lower the water table on a railway embankment. You cannot discharge water into an ONTRACK drain without consent.
Many ONTRACK drains have been converted over time to public drains. We are talking with local councils about the ongoing maintenance of such drains. Under the Railways Act, we can recover part of the maintenance cost.
Where there are drains taking water away from the rail corridor, it is an offence under the Railways Act to block the discharge. This sometimes happens where new housing subdivisions are developed.
For enquiries about an ONTRACK drain, contact the Area Manager or the Land and Asset Manager.
Vegetation controlFor enquiries about weed and vegetation control on the rail corridor, contact the Area Manager.