JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
13 JULY 2018
Otago and Southland Regional Transport Plans mid-term update
The Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees (RTC) have recently completed their mid-term update of the
2015-2021 Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs) which set a vision of transport in the future. The combined plans also
outline how the ten local authorities in the two regions, alongside NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), intend to achieve this.
The focus of the update is to “provide a safe and sustainable transport system that supports and enhances regional
development.” A major emphasis of these plans is maintaining and operating road networks. Many of the projects proposed
in the plans will be of wider benefit than just to ratepayers in a single district.
Cr Trevor Kempton Chair of the Otago RTC said, “This update contains the recommendations for connection via public
pathways, cycle ways and general transport in the Southland and Otago regions. Integration of modes and solutions is
central to the plans and aligns strongly with the new government policy statement on transport”
Otago and Southland have jointly developed their RLTPs as they have shared transport issues and opportunities. The
joining together in the creation of these plans has been spurred by a heightened awareness that journeys do not stop at
administrative boundaries. The success of both Otago and Southland relies heavily on good land transport infrastructure
and services as our primary industries need good access and freight services linking farms and forests, suppliers,
processors and export gateways.
The plans cover the areas of Otago Regional Council and its district councils, and the Environment Southland Regional
Council and its district councils.