Transport is key this election year for Tauranga and the Bay, so let's take a moment to celebrate one success, before looking again at what we all need moving forward.
Katikati is finally getting its bypass. Thanks to the hard work and tenacity of the Katikati residents and for the Rt Hon Winston Peters telling a packed Katikati hall he will make it an election promise to do the bypass. It's funny how this can have a positive effect on the Governments decision making process, just as it did with the removal of $63 million of debt from Route K at the last election.
The people of Tauranga and New Zealand First will keep calling for the fulfilment of 2008 and 2011 blue government promises to widen 15th Avenue/Turret Road to double lanes each way, and we know - like Katikati - that political ears are more sensitive in an election year than they might be otherwises, so we will be making plenty of noise. Tauranga's transport needs are definitely high on the New Zealand First agenda, as it has always been, from getting tolls off the Harbour Bridge, fighting to get Route K off the local Council books and on to NZTA's, and now calling for the end to Route K tolls altogether.
We know that our city is experiencing unprecedented population growth, and the plans need to be put into place now, to keep Tauranga moving. Our policy, calling for a full inquiry into the future mobility of Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, is vital. We can't keep adding vehicles to our roads and expect them to cope, but simply building and widening roads isn't the only solution. All transport modes have to be included.
This week saw the latest workshop meeting of the City Council's Transport Committee, and it was great to see Regional Council and Western Bay District Council involved in the discussions. New Zealand First will keep fighting for Tauranga down in Wellington.
