Debate and Dunedin’s oneways
THE future of the oneway street system is a continued topic of contention among Dunedin City councillors, council candidates and the public.
The issue has arisen in the news again. An Official Information Act request has revealed the aftermath of a council vote on the matter.
The council agreed in February (by 75) to present reasons for a twoway option to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency as a basis for discussion.
Two councillors who would have voted against were absent.
However, their presence would not have swung the decision because of the mayor’s casting vote.
Five of the seven councillors opposing the DCC’s official view felt strongly enough to support a letter from Cr Jules Radich to Waka Kotahi “to bring some balance to the Shaping Dunedin Future transport discussion”. The letter pointed out half the councillors favoured retaining a oneway system. The twoway alternative would cause a
“calamity”.
A oneway option is favoured by Waka Kotahi’s board. Its final decision is expected in the first quarter of next year.
Mayor Aaron Hawkins called Cr Radich’s letter “a clear abuse of process, trying to undermine the will of council rather than accept it”.
One councillor sympathetic to the views of the dissenting councillors did not sign their letter, because he said it was an appalling misuse of process, undermining a democratic decision.
While proper processes are important, councillors as politicians are able to express differing views.
The continued opposition to the council’s twoway proposal and the expression of that to Waka Kotahi did not negate the council’s official overall view.
In any event, Waka Kotahi will be aware of the divisions in Dunedin.
The twoway option has the support of heavy hitters University of Otago and what was the Southern District Health Board.
However, the retention of the oneway system is supported by a clear majority of the public. They fear far worsened traffic congestion.
Many will be sympathetic with the aims of developing an improved central city for pedestrians, for healthier outcomes and a lower carbon footprint.
This, though, is a case where highflying principles will be unrealistic and unworkable on the ground as traffic grinds to a halt, the city becomes dislocated, frustration builds, and Dunedin becomes a much less pleasant place to live because residents cannot move freely across the critical flat zone east of the CBD.
Although walking, bus travel and biking need to be encouraged, those means of transport are not possible for many for years to come and will never be for some. Attempted bullying of people through the creation of traffic obstacles will engender resentment.
There is an element here of progressives in power telling the supposed misguided and ignorant majority what is good for them. Fortunately, the final decision is with Waka Kotahi and not the current council.
Already, it can be difficult even outside the busy periods to cross the city when a lane of the oneways is shut for some reason. Tweaking a twoway system through removing car parks and improvements to the bypass across the railway line will not significantly alleviate northtosouth pressures.
There are also dangers more motorists will choose Highgate, a road through housing and a school and illequipped for even a small increase in traffic volume.
What, too, of the State Highway 1 traffic that just needs to traverse the city? Dunedin’s northern hills already are a significant barrier as is the city itself even with the oneways.
Amid peak local body election time, debate on the oneways will continue as it should. This is an important issue for all candidates.
And another thing . . .
THE lack of civility in today’s New Zealand is upsetting and damaging. While they remain a small minority, many people these days are all too ready to abuse and assert aggressively.
It is appalling – whatever the frustrations or views – that council staff and contractors around construction works in Dunedin’s George St should be subjected to an increase in abuse. These men and women are simply doing their job.