New roads bypassing Wairarapa towns are not on the radar for local or central government, according to South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC).
Traffic is increasing on State Highway 2 through Wairarapa. Photo: WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE/JADE CVETKOV
The topic, raised at SWDC's planning committee this week, made headlines in October after Mayor Alex Beijen met with NZ Transport Authority/Waka Kotahi officials over potential heavy vehicle routes.
Greytown and Carterton were considered the most likely candidates for alternative routes for heavy vehicles, due to the increase of large trucks going through their centres.
During a discussion on the district spatial plan, Greytown ward councillor Alistair Plimmer said there was "a huge amount of comment in Greytown about the suggestion".
He said he had informally discussed the issue with colleagues and councillors from neighbouring Carterton.
"They're thinking about this as well," he said.
"Particularly with the growth on the eastern side, towards Gladstone, and thinking about the highway, and how it enables us to grow."
Greytown. South Wairarapa councillors have commented on discussions over a potential bypass. Photo: PHOTO/WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE/JADE CVETKOV
Councillor Brenda West said it would be prudent to consider the topic as part of the district's plans.
West said she did not want any potential scheme to face delays, and compared it to the Transmission Gully roading project, north-west of Wellington.
"We don't want to be like that, delay, delay, delay. We need to start the ball rolling and have those conversations."
Both councillors cited Taupo's ring road as an example of a highway diversion working for a town despite initial concerns over its economic impact.
"There was huge discomfort from retailers in Taupo about that particular road, but now the place booming," Plimmer said.
SWDC planning manager Russell O'Leary said he had made contact with Waka Kotahi, but "any re-rerouting is not on their radar".
"There's no timing for it, and there's a mixture of views for when and where it should proceed."
Beijen said the highway's current or speculated traffic measures would not create a strong business case for more lanes or constructing ring roads.
"To my knowledge, we're only 60 per cent of the way towards the requirement of having double lanes or a bypass. There's a long way to go.
"The spatial plan discussions really are a long term view, and we're not envisioning growth that would require such a bypass."
Carterton Mayor Greg Lang said "there are currently no agreements in place on a bypass route around Carterton".
Carterton. The district council is preparing for population and traffic growth. Photo: WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE/JADE CVETKOV
"There have been many informal conversations over the years about State Highway bypasses of the Wairarapa towns.
"Given the significant cost of any bypass option, discussions have not progressed beyond the conceptual."
According to a 2016 report by Waka Kotahi, almost 33,000 daily journeys are made between Masterton and Upper Hutt every day.
Councils will ask the Wairarapa public to submit opinions on a range of district and regional plans during 2021.
South Wairarapa residents will be consulted on their district long term and spatial plans in March, with Carterton's long term plan also up for discussion in Autumn 2021.
Carterton is also asking for comment on its growth plan for the town's eastern flank.
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