Hearings held for Main Road Master Plan

More pedestrian access to the estuary and Coastal Pathway, retaining car parking spaces and prioritising the community, village feel of the Redcliff's commercial area were among the viewpoints put to the Main Road Master Plan Hearings Panel this week, when they met to hear submissions to the plan.

People who made submissions to a draft rebuild and recovery plan for the Main Road corridor from Ferrymead Bridge to Marriner Street in Sumner presented their views to the Hearings Panel. The hearings took place over a two day period, with 19 people supporting their written submission in person.

Main Road Master Plan Hearings Chair, Councillor Yani Johanson says, "While 73 per cent of the 216 submissions on the Main Road Master Plan showed strong community support for the Plan's overall direction, there are areas where people have some concerns. The Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board felt that holding hearings means these can be fully considered.

"There was a good turnout to the hearings, with people also coming along to listen to submissions.
We heard from local business owners, community groups and leaders, organisations who work in the area and residents. This open dialogue and discussion will ultimately strengthen the plan by making sure those most impacted have an active part in the final stage of development of the Main Road Master Plan," says Councillor Johanson.

Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board Chair Sara Templeton says, "There will be more opportunities for community input at the detailed design phase as projects are implemented, and the Hearings Panel welcomes this. This is a plan for the community's future; the direction, goals and actions must reflect the wishes of the people and businesses affected."

Submissions covered a number of topics, including:
* A possible realignment of the Coastal Pathway where it crosses the vehicle access into Scott Park in order to address safety concerns.
* The need for more pedestrian and cycling facilities.
* Confirmation in the plan of Main Road's role as an over dimension route for the safe and efficient movement of freight.

Following the hearings, the panel will seek further information and clarification from Council staff before making recommendations on how to proceed with changes to the Master Plan. A report will be drafted to accompany the final plan when it is considered for adoption by the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board and then the Council. Following the plan's adoption there will be further opportunity for community engagement during the implementation phase.

In April 2014, the Council adopted the recommendation of the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board to hold hearings. The hearings panel membership is Councillor Yani Johanson, Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board Chair Sara Templeton and Board member Islay McLeod.

Click to view the Hearings Panel Agenda for 17 June <http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/TheCouncil/meetingsminutes/agendas/2014/June/FullAgendaMainRdMP-HearingsPanel(WithAttachments)-17June2014.pdf> and 19 June<http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/TheCouncil/meetingsminutes/agendas/2014/June/FullAgendaMainRdMP-HearingsPanel(WithAttachments)-19June2014.pdf>.

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