Latest news with #RoadsofNationalSignificance
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waikato To Forge Ahead Despite Regional Deals Knockback
The Waikato will forge ahead with work to drive economic growth and housing in the region, despite missing out on funding and resources through the Government's regional deals scheme. The Government has announced memoranda of understanding have been signed with Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty and Otago Central Lakes regions. 'While it's disappointing the Waikato region has not received central government support for its Regional Deals proposal, it will not stop the work going ahead. It was already planned; collaboration with central government would have enabled it to happen quicker,' said Waikato Mayoral Forum Chair and Hauraki District Mayor, Toby Adams. 'Furthermore, we are immensely supportive of those who've been told they'll be receiving a regional deal, in particular Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty. With the Waikato region positioned in the heart of the golden triangle and central North Island, what's good for them is good for us,' he said. 'We remain interested in continuing discussions with central government and are optimistic that our proposal – demonstrating a cohesive and aligned package of investment in the region's economic growth – will be considered favourably for a future regional deal.' Waikato Regional Council Chair Pamela Storey agreed, saying the region's leaders would work together to maintain a strong and open relationship with the Government. 'As a region we have been able to present a united voice to central government and demonstrate that we are a powerhouse in Aotearoa New Zealand. 'Our communities should not lose heart. Regional Deals was one avenue available to us, but there are others and we will continue to advocate for collaboration with central government on behalf of the Waikato region,' she said. The Waikato region proposal lodged in February was developed by Waikato Regional Council under guidance from a Chief Executive Working Group and on behalf of the Waikato Mayoral Forum. The forum comprises the mayors and chair of the city, district and regional councils in the Waikato. The existing and planned projects in the proposal will bring a range of benefits for the Waikato region, such as well functioning urban developments, significant job growth and housing supply, improved resilience on key transport corridors, more resilient communities, efficient freight networks, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved tourist experiences, increased electricity generation, economic diversification and certainty of water supply. Key projects include, but are not limited to: network improvements to support the Roads of National Significance (RONS), including Hamilton Southern Links, Cambridge to Piarere expressway extension, and SH29 Tauriko West project support for the golden triangle road and rail investment programme delivery of the Future Proof priority development areas package, with a suite of initiatives including the Huntly wastewater plant, Ruakura, north Waipā/southern Hamilton, Hamilton central city,) support for our growing rural centres programme, for example in Paeroa, Putāruru, Thames-Coromandel, Matamata construction of resilient transport corridors for our rural communities through the Thames-Coromandel Resilience Programme, on SH3 to Taranaki and SH1 Taupō to Desert Road infrastructure that supports tourism destinations investment in our region's solar, wind and bioenergy water security. Regional Deals is the Government's initiative for establishing long-term agreements between central and local government. The programme unlocks funding and resource opportunities to support councils to make improvements in their region, for example to roads, infrastructure and the supply of quality housing.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Brynderwyn Hills Recovery Work Proves Its Worth During Cyclone Tam
Press Release – NZTA SH1 Brynderwyn Hills suffered significant damage from severe weather events in early 2023, resulting in severe underslips and overslips. A range of recovery and enabling works were then carried out, finishing last year, to help the road better withstand … NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the slip reduced traffic to a single lane for a short, 3-4 hour period on Sunday evening before the road was reinstated to 2 lanes with a temporary speed restriction still in place. SH1 Brynderwyn Hills suffered significant damage from severe weather events in early 2023, resulting in severe underslips and overslips. A range of recovery and enabling works were then carried out, finishing last year, to help the road better withstand future weather events. The work, which included soil nailing, mesh, drainage improvements and benching (levels cut into the hillside), reduces the likelihood of overslips by contributing to a more stable hillside. The wider road shoulder also provides space to clear any slips with less disruption to traffic, in the event one does occur. Auckland and Northland Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, says the slip highlighted the effectiveness of recent recovery works by minimising disruption to traffic. 'Keeping this key route open during severe weather events, like Cyclone Tam, was exactly what the recently completed recovery work was designed for. 'The benches caught falling trees and debris, preventing the majority of the slip from reaching the road, avoiding a full highway closure and ensuring we were able to maintain access for road users at all times across the busy Easter holiday weekend.' Crews will continue to monitor the slip and work to remove the trees and debris on the benches above the highway will take place on Thursday, ahead of the long weekend. Delays due to the temporary speed restrictions were minimal, even with an increase in traffic due to the holidays. 'We appreciate everyone's patience as our crews worked hard across the weekend to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently across the region.' Longer-term, a Brynderwyn Hills alternative will be part of the Te Hana to Port Marsden section of the Northland Corridor, made up of 3 Roads of National Significance (RoNS).
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Brynderwyn Hills Recovery Work Proves Its Worth During Cyclone Tam
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the slip reduced traffic to a single lane for a short, 3-4 hour period on Sunday evening before the road was reinstated to 2 lanes with a temporary speed restriction still in place. SH1 Brynderwyn Hills suffered significant damage from severe weather events in early 2023, resulting in severe underslips and overslips. A range of recovery and enabling works were then carried out, finishing last year, to help the road better withstand future weather events. The work, which included soil nailing, mesh, drainage improvements and benching (levels cut into the hillside), reduces the likelihood of overslips by contributing to a more stable hillside. The wider road shoulder also provides space to clear any slips with less disruption to traffic, in the event one does occur. Auckland and Northland Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, says the slip highlighted the effectiveness of recent recovery works by minimising disruption to traffic. 'Keeping this key route open during severe weather events, like Cyclone Tam, was exactly what the recently completed recovery work was designed for. 'The benches caught falling trees and debris, preventing the majority of the slip from reaching the road, avoiding a full highway closure and ensuring we were able to maintain access for road users at all times across the busy Easter holiday weekend.' Crews will continue to monitor the slip and work to remove the trees and debris on the benches above the highway will take place on Thursday, ahead of the long weekend. Delays due to the temporary speed restrictions were minimal, even with an increase in traffic due to the holidays. 'We appreciate everyone's patience as our crews worked hard across the weekend to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently across the region.' Longer-term, a Brynderwyn Hills alternative will be part of the Te Hana to Port Marsden section of the Northland Corridor, made up of 3 Roads of National Significance (RoNS). For more information about the resilience work, please visit: SH1 Brynderwyn Hills | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi For more information about the Northland Corridor, including Section 2 Te Hana to Port Marsden, which includes a Brynderwyn Hills alternative, please visit: Northland Corridor | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
