Long Term Plan 2024-2034 community consultation
Te Puna Station Road – next steps is currently at this stage
Through the Long Term Plan community consultation Council asked, 'We want to consider permanently closing Te Puna Station Road – Do you agree?'
With three options to consider.
Option 1 (PREFERRED) Consider permanently closing Te Puna Station Road and relocate the shared path to the western side, away from the riverbank. This is the lowest cost option and would reduce the impact of future slips on road users. The shared path would still allow access for pedestrians and cyclists. A formal process to close the road under the Local Government Act 1974 is required if this option is progressed.
Cost - $1m in Year One (2024/25).
Option 2 Reopen Te Puna Station Road to one way traffic (eastbound towards State Highway 2) and relocate the shared path to the western side, away from the riverbank. This option would allow traffic to travel east towards State Highway 2. There would be an ongoing maintenance cost of $50,000 per year with this option.
Cost - $2m in 2024/25 (Year One). Plus ongoing maintenance cost of $50,000 per year.
Option 3 Reopen Te Puna Station Road in both directions. This is the highest cost option and would require significant work to stabilise the riverbank. In addition, there would be an ongoing maintenance cost of $100,000 per year for major slips and repairs. There is no guarantee that this work will permanently provide access to the road and there is a residual risk that future weather events may impact access on an ongoing basis.
Cost - $5m in 2024/25 (Year One). Plus ongoing maintenance cost of $100,000 per year.
Following community feedback and deliberations Council decided to keep Te Puna Station Road closed, while it continues to assess the most appropriate solution for its long-term future.
This will still allow access for pedestrians and cyclists, as we will relocate the shared path to the western side away from the riverbank as well as maintain optionality for the future of the road.
In response to concerns relating to the impact of heavy vehicles using Clarke Road, we will prioritise ways this can be addressed including a potential review of the Traffic and Parking Enforcement Bylaw 2019.