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South Wairarapa Council Hopes To Get Speed Review Over The Line

March 13, 2025

South Wairarapa District Council will write to Transport Minister Chris Bishop urging him to approve their already-consulted-on speed management plan.

The council, which consulted on reducing speeds across the district in 2023, has been unable to implement the proposed changes because of a new transport rule brought in by the coalition Government.

Stefan Corbett, the council’s infrastructure and community operations manager said NZTA had informed them they needed to reconsult, despite the council’s speed management plan being previously approved by the Director of Land Transport and “generally consistent with the new Land Transport Rule”.

He said the Government’s decision to reverse previously implemented speed reductions were the subject of judicial review in the High Court.

“Several councils have made written representations to the minister of transport on this issue.

“We are monitoring the situation, but unless the minister agrees to allow the current plan to proceed, a report will be required to seek approval to reconsult on the revised Speed Management Plan.”

Corbett said feedback from the community was that changes to make road speeds safer “cannot be delayed any further”.

The council had applied for funding to implement a speed plan in 2025-26 but councillors have also voted to write to the minister.

“if we’re successful there it will be a great outcome,” Corbett said.

Mayor Martin Connelly and councillor Aaron Woodock voted against writing the letter, and councillor Alistair Plimmer abstained.

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Connelly said he couldn’t vote for the recommendation "unless i knew there was some legal provision in the rules that actually gave the minister the discretion we’re asking him to exercise".

“If he doesn’t have it there’s no point in asking.”

The speed reductions in the council’s proposed plan included variable speed zones outside schools, and a 70kph limit on unsealed roads.

Neighbouring Carterton District Council resolved to write to the transport minister last month.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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