Draft Bay of Plenty land transport plan now out for consultation
The Bay of Plenty’s land transport network plays a significant role in almost everyone in the region’s daily life.
A draft document outlining the future direction of the area’s transport system is now out for consultation.
The Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2034, Te Mahere tu¯nuku a¯-papa a¯-rohe, prepared by the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee, sets out the priorities and activities the region will work towards in the next decade while maintaining a long-term view on what might happen in the future.
“We’re at a crossroads, and the paths we choose now will define the landscape of our daily lives, our environment and our future generations,” says committee chairman Lyall Thurston.
“This plan is more than a document. It’s a blueprint for a connected, resilient, and vibrant Bay of Plenty.
“Whether it’s a smoother commute, the pride in our green initiatives, or the reassurance of safe roads for our kids — we’re crafting a legacy together.”
The land transport plan prioritises tackling traffic congestion, supporting public transport connections to affordable housing, addressing transport access for smaller and isolated communities, enhancing road safety and improving the resilience of the transport network against climate change.
Region-wide, there are proposals to implement a national ticketing solution to enable standardised payment for public transport ($3 million) and improvements to transition to zero-emission public transport ($53.9m).
“This isn’t a guaranteed programme — it is our combined ‘what we need to do’ list, with the final say on how funds are allocated determined by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi,” says Thurston.
A full prioritised list of projects is available in the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2034.
The plan is the way the Bay of
Plenty region seeks central government funding for transport activities and is a requirement under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.
“Reviewing the Regional Land Transport Plan is a dynamic process that balances technical expertise with community values,” says transport planning manager Oliver Haycock.
Consultation on the the draft plan ends on on March 24. i
Visit the regional council’s website for more information.