A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Voters in this week’s web poll strongly believe the three-month emergency shipping route between Gisborne and Napier will develop into a permanent coastal shipping service for Tairawhiti.
The question was, “Do you think the three-month emergency shipping route will develop into a permanent coastal shipping service for Tairāwhiti?”
Just over half of
the respondents, 52 percent (131) reckon the shipping route will become a permanent service.
Eighty-nine voters, or 35 percent, did not agree. Thirty-four, or 13 percent, were uncertain. A total of 254 votes were cast.
Many who believe the service will become permanent do so because they want less heavy traffic on the road.
Among the comments were:
• “Hope so. Would divert a huge amount of heavy traffic off our already overloaded roads.”
• “Will need local businesses to think outside the box to make it work.”
• “It has the potential to save millions on roading wear and tear.”
• “I hope so. Our roads are disgusting and dangerous.”
• “It would be the smartest, most sensible thing to happen. Let’s lead in the way of the future.”
• “It should be permanent and should have been in place long ago.”
Comments against a permanent service included:
• “Cannot afford it.”
• “Why not put the money into rail?”
• “Eastland Port has pitched the cost too high on this introductory service. If the cost was substantially reduced it may have a future.”
• “The Government should invest in reinstating the rail from Gisborne right through to Napier Port at the same time as giving the port this boost.”
