Positive submissions on transport plans

Southland and Otago residents have shown their support for projects outlined in the Draft Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plans, with 305 submissions received.

The plans were released for the first time as a joint document last month and submissions closed on Friday 6 March.

Environment Southland and Southland Regional Transport Committee chairman Ali Timms said the high number of submissions was very positive, especially as most were in support of the works proposed in the plans.

The plans incorporate all proposed state highway and council projects across the both Southland and Otago regions for the next six years.

The Southland submissions were mainly focused on two projects in The Catlins: the planned upgrade of the Nuggets Road (which is in Otago) and the Curio Bay-Haldane Road (which is in Southland). These projects will improve tourist travel in this popular area.

Support for the Pyramid Bridge replacement on the Mataura River near Riversdale (north of Gore) was also provided from submitters in both regions.

Otago submissions were concentrated on projects within the Dunedin City and Queenstown areas. Significant support for the extension of an off-road cycleway adjacent to State Highway 88 between Dunedin and Port Chalmers was received, along with other cycling projects proposed by the Dunedin City Council.

The Visiting Driver Signature Project also attracted attention, with submitters keen to see changes to the funding arrangement which would see the project rolled out throughout Otago in a similar timeframe to that for Southland.

Ms Timms was pleased to see the importance of these projects being highlighted in submissions.

“Keeping both tourist and local drivers safe on the region’s roads is a high priority for the Regional Transport Committees and these two projects will make a significant contribution to this,” Ms Timms said.

Ms Timms said the submissions were a clear indication of the strong community support for the projects outlined in the plans being funded in the next National Land Transport Programme.

The decision to release the plans as a joint document reflected the view councils could be more effective by working together, strengthening the voice they have at a national level.

Treating the Nuggets Road and Curio Bay-Haldane Road as two parts of the same popular tourist journey, and upgrading both to the consistent standard needed for safe travel, was only possible as a result of the combined approach to development of the Regional Land Transport Plans.

Thirty-eight submitters have requested the opportunity to speak at hearings, which will be held on Monday 16 March in Dunedin and Tuesday 17 March in Invercargill.

ends

© Scoop Media