Kia ora to the latest Tauriko for Tomorrow update.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Tauranga City Council would like to thank everyone who provided feedback on the proposed plans for the transport network and the new community at Tauriko West.
We received over 200 responses to our online survey, and more than 1000 people attended the information days in May.
See the information provided at the information days
We are in the process of analysing the feedback and will release a summary online by the end of September for you to view. We will use your feedback, together with technical and funding recommendations, to confirm the short-term transport works to enable housing development (next two to three years) and the long-term transport plan (10 plus years).
Long-term transport improvements
Waka Kotahi is working towards identifying and developing the preferred option for the long-term transport improvements along State Highway 29 from Omanawa Road to the Takitimu Drive Toll Road roundabout, and continuing on State Highway 29A to the Barkes Corner intersection (Pyes Pa Road/Cameron Road).
The three long-term options look to improve safety, provide choice in how people want to travel, maintain freight access, and enable local growth.
View maps for the long-term options
All the options encourage people to use public transport, walking and cycling, and include integration into the wider transport network and key local road connections.
View maps for walking and cycling
View maps for public transport
Providing access to a network of safe and accessible cycling, walking and personal mobility routes supports connectivity to local shops, schools, and other services, as well as accessing neighbouring communities. The other benefit is a range of transport choices and the opportunity for people to live close to work. This will help reduce transport carbon emissions over time.
The current timeline is to have the business case finalised by mid-2022 and we will provide you with an update by the end of this year. At present, there is no funding available for implementation of the long-term improvements within the next 10 years. Delivery will likely be staged over a number of years and aligned to growth triggers including housing supply, demand for transport options, traffic volumes, and funding availability.
Short-term transport improvements to enable housing development
Planning continues for the short-term transport improvements in the area, mainly at intersections along SH29. These improvements will enable residential development to start in parts of Tauriko West in 2024 or 2025 – helping to respond to the western Bay of Plenty’s urgent need for more housing.
These improvements will also support continued industrial development of Tauriko Business Estate and improve safety at the existing SH29/Belk Road and SH29/Cambridge Road intersections. We expect these works to begin in the next two to three years.
View map of proposed short-term transport improvements
As part of planning for the new community, Tauranga City Council continues to prepare the plan change to the Tauranga City Plan. This includes completing the structure plan, the rezoning proposal, and development of a comprehensive stormwater consent. Council aims to notify the plan change to rezone Tauriko West from rural to urban in early-2022.
What could the new community look like? Find out more
questions?
We’re working on analysing the feedback we received and will release a summary of it in September. In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please contact us through the online form or email us on info@taurikofortomorrow.co.nz