Opposition to Motorway proposal grows

Now NZTA have finally lodged their application for the Kapiti Expressway consents, Save Kapiti Inc. is preparing its case to oppose the application in full at an expected fast track environment court hearing (or Board of Inquiry) later in the year. The timeframe is unknown at present, and will be at the Minister's discretion. Save Kapiti has a team of experts which is analysing the application details and building a case to demonstrate the deep flaws in the proposal to force a State Highway/motorway through our communities and neighbourhoods.

“The application shows that the proposal is too damaging to the community to justify its construction along this route” said Jonathan Gradwell of Save Kapiti. "Even NZTA acknowledge this in their application. The report on social impacts admits ..." There are negative social effects of the project, which are borne disproportionately by those in close proximity to the project, particularly those neighbourhoods immediately adjoining the proposed Expressway." (page 4 of Social Impact Assessment)

The NZTA states its objective for the project is to relieve congestion points along the route, but NZTA traffic volume figures over the last 10 years show there has been static to recently declining average daily traffic movements. Economically, the new motorway will never be able to justify the expense with such low volumes, with an updated estimated benefit of only about 40 cents back from each dollar spent.There are simply not the traffic volumes to justify such a huge and expensive highway being built. This proposal is totally out of scale to the over-hyped congestion issues we are facing. There is a low cost solution in the wings.

Submission workshop

Save Kapiti is urging residents in the 1400 homes within 200 metres of the route to voice their concerns to the Board of Inquiry. This will be the first and last opportunity to have their concerns heard in an impartial environment.

As a first step to this, Save Kapiti is coordinating a public submission workshop and speakers at El Rancho on Sunday 6 May from 9:30am. Speakers will include planners, local and regional councillors and other information to help inform people on some of the key issues.

Jonathan Gradwell said “People need to know that this is the only submission that counts in the Resource Management Act decision making process. All previous submissions were treated only as feedback by NZTA, and did not have to be taken into account. And, generally, they weren't.”

More information on how to submit and how to donate can be found on the group website. www.savekapiti.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media